UCF Lands Four-Star Linebacker Andrew Harris
The UCF Knights have added some more firepower to their defense ahead of the 2023 season, in four-star linebacker Andrew Harris.
Andrew Harris and his twin brother Michael Harris are both four-star linebackers and following an all-out campaign to get the two brothers to team up in Orlando, Andrew decided to join the Knights while Michael chose Maryland, splitting the brothers up.
247Sports currently has Andrew Harris as the nation’s No. 23 linebacker in the class of 2023 and was named MVP of the Polynesian Bowl. Harris totaled 72 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions as a senior at Lake Brantley high school. Michael, who checks in as the No. 30 linebacker, racked up 104 tackles and 4.5 sacks and is headed to College Park instead of Orlando.
UCF has a history of coaching twins with Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin both playing for the Knights before getting drafted into the NFL. The new Big 12 team had another set of twins in Ja’Cari and Damari Henderson in last year’s cycle.
247Sports had this to say as Harris’ evaluation, “A green, three-down linebacker that lacks the ideal measurables, but makes up for his compact/economy-sized frame with his athleticism. Excels in pursuit as he can cover a ton of ground, and quickly. Has gotten better and better at diagnosing different blocking schemes and shooting gaps, but must continue to improve football IQ, especially with all of the complex defenses Power Five programs are running these days.
“Doesn’t have a ton of experience as a blitzer, but has shown that he can get home as a pass rusher in some situations. Not as fluid as one would like in the hips, but does do a nice job of feeling out what’s going on around him and can mask some of the mistakes he makes in coverage with his foot speed. Should be viewed as a developmental prospect with tons of upside that can be morphed into an impact second-level defender if he takes to coaching and is given a year or two to add as much muscle as possible.”
While it is disappointing to see the pair of twins split up, Andrew Harris is a massive get for the Knights.
