TE Harris Ready To Play Regular Role In Buffs Offense
April 25, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — To put it in simple terms, Jalen Harris came to Colorado to become a true tight end.
Harris, a graduate transfer from Auburn, is enrolled at CU, has been practicing with the Buffs throughout spring ball and will play his final year of college ball next fall in a Colorado uniform. If all goes well — if spring ball is any indication — he will see plenty of playing time in 2019 and the ball will come his way on a relatively regular basis.
That will be something new for Harris.
In three years at Auburn, he recorded just four receptions for 33 yards, with two of those going for touchdowns. But he was seldom in the role of a passing game target. Virtually all of his playing time came as an H-back, lining up in the backfield directly behind the tackle, where he served mainly as a blocking back for the run game.
With the Buffs, he is now playing all three tight ends spots — lined up next to the tackle, in the backfield, and occasionally out wide in the slot. It means more opportunity in the passing game while still developing his blocking skills — both of which he hopes will translate into a chance to play at the next level.
"That was my whole reason for transferring," Harris said. "I knew my ability. I know I can catch the ball and I have good hands. It's just a matter of repetition now and practicing and getting that timing down with Steven (Montez)."
Harris has indeed shown the ability this spring to consistently catch the ball, including tough catches over the middle in traffic. At 6-foot-4, 255-pounds, he is a mismatch for defensive backs and big enough to battle inside linebackers one on one — and he is also physical enough to provide help in the run game.
But Harris also has a relatively steep learning curve as he picks up the nuances of playing more than just H-back.
"He's starting to come around," said CU tight ends coach Al Pupunu recently. "When he was at Auburn, he was more of sniffer (H-back) type of guy. Now we're putting him out to play some real tight end. He's starting to grab some concepts so that's a positive thing."
What is not up for debate is that the Buffs will utilize their tight ends on a regular basis. CU lines up at least one and oftentimes two tight ends in most of its offensive formations.
"It's a lot more fun," Harris said. "I know I'm a versatile tight end. I like being in the backfield, I like being split out, I like having my hand on the line. I think I can do it all. Here I'm getting that opportunity."
Harris has caught his share of passes thus far in spring ball, but knows he needs to continue working on his receiving skills. It will mean regular summer sessions with the JUGS gun, along with as many throwing sessions as possible with CU's quarterbacks.
"His summer's going to be important to him," CU head coach Mel Tucker said.
Harris has been a regular with the No. 1 offense this spring, meaning he's seen plenty of senior quarterback Montez.
"He's really impressed me, and so have the other quarterbacks," Harris said. "He throws a really good ball. He's as good as any quarterback that I've played with or against."
PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs went through a full-pads practice Wednesday morning, a workout Tucker called "probably our most physical practice" of the spring.
"It was apparent that the guys had to strain, fight to finish plays, finish blocks, finish tackles," Tucker said. "We got some live work to the ground, which is much needed for us."
The Buffs now have just one more workout, Saturday's Spring Game Presented by UC Health.
The game is set for kickoff at noon and will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks, with the first hour on the main network and both hours on Pac-12 Mountain.
The event will also include the annual Healthy Kids Day, presented by Children's Hospital of Colorado, set to begin at 11 a.m. in the Indoor Practice Facility. Also on tap before the game is the UCHealth Skills Challenge, which will include a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, long jump and three-cone drill.
A selfie session with players and coaches will be conducted after the game.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
