By Maurice Bailey
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. – Many have the dream of playing football at Auburn, but few have the opportunity. Senior tight end Jalen Harris lives that dream every day.
Auburn impressed Harris by recruiting him since 10th grade, when he was developing into an all-state prospect at St. James in Montgomery.
"Even though I didn't have a scholarship yet, Auburn treated me like a top priority pick," Harris recalled. "The genuine feeling never changed throughout my entire high school process. I feel like any school I picked I would have enjoyed, but Auburn is also closer to my home in Montgomery, which is less than a 30-minute drive away from campus."
All of those factors led Harris to become an Auburn Tiger, plus a very special family connection.
"[The Auburn Family] means a lot to me, especially since I am a senior now," he said. "No matter what, they will always be there for you. You can say 'War Eagle' to any Auburn alum anywhere in the world and you feel as if they have your back anywhere, any time through thick and thin."
Harris has been part of many memorable moments at Auburn. "Beating Alabama this past season was definitely my most memorable moment thus far," he said. "But also watching other Auburn sports teams doing well has been fun and memorable as well, like men's basketball beating Kentucky."
With his upbeat personality, Harris knows how to keep things loose. "I like to get hype before games and practice and it is always funny to watch the coaches' faces as they see me dance," he said. "It's even funnier because I'm always smiling."
But Harris also understands when it's time to be more serious. "Being a senior leader brings a lot of responsibility with the title, and you have to lead by example in order to show the newer players what to do," he said.
A member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and an Academic Top Tiger, Harris begins graduate school this fall.
"Time flies, but it still feels great being here," he said. "It doesn't feel like it has been four years, but to be able to say I am a senior at Auburn is a blessing. And graduating and moving on to get my master's in higher education is an awesome feeling.
"After I graduate August 4 and receive my undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in marketing and communications and sports coaching, I will start my master's in adult education and then transfer to higher education."
His long-term goal is a position in collegiate athletics administration, perhaps as an athletics director.
Auburn has prepared Harris for life beyond college, and being a student-athlete has significantly impacted that experience.
"Being a student-athlete has shown me how to persevere," he said. "Things never go as fully planned and there will always be ups and downs, but God will handle the rest."
Harris has a strong bond with his teammates, coaches and staff and feels the football program is like a family.
"My relationship with my teammates is great," he said. "My teammates are like brothers to me -- they know when they see me I'm going to have a smile on my face. They may get tired of me, but they know at the end of the day, it's all love. I wouldn't trade my time with them for anything."
Being a senior, Harris has a lot of advice for younger players as they learn to be a part of the Auburn Family and the football team.
"Take advantage of all your resources," he counseled. "Everyone who is here is here to help you, so don't be afraid to ask questions. People are looking to help you no matter what. Always keep an open mind and be able to adapt. Everything here at Auburn will help you in the long run."
The biggest challenge in combining schoolwork and football for Harris? "Balancing your personal life from your academic and personal activities," he said. "Once you learn how to balance these different aspects, you will succeed."
Harris shared team and individual goals for his final season.
"We now see the blueprint of how to win, so I know we can make it to the SEC Championship," he said. "Personally, my goal is to be the best blocking tight end I can be. My goal ever since I was a kid was to be in the NFL one day and to set myself up for that with a strong senior season would mean the world to me."
Wherever Harris goes next, one phrase will always sound like home.
"When I hear 'War Eagle' it means a lot of different things in a lot of different contexts," he said. "At the end of the day to me, it's like 'I love you' in Auburn speak. It's a bond that no one else understands unless you have been here at Auburn."
Harris has a message for all the Auburn Family.
"Thank you for all of your continuous support and never-ending love," he said. "Without you, there could be no Auburn."
Maurice Bailey is a student assistant in Auburn athletics communications
'A blessing' - Jalen Harris senior spotlight
