AAMU: Catch him if you can

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Alabama A&M sophomore blossoms into big-time receiver

There are days when Thomas Harris hardly says a word. Unlike a lot of wide receivers, Harris doesn't desire the spotlight. In fact, he shies away from it.

But the Alabama A&M sophomore can't help but be in it as a result of his spectacular play through the Bulldogs' first three games.

"Coach (Anthony) Jones has put me in the right position to make plays," Harris said. "I'm having fun."

While that may be true, A&M receivers coach Roger Totten said Harris deserves a lot of the credit.

"Thomas is a kid that is very serious about what he's doing," said Totten, who has had a major impact on the Bulldogs' receivers since arriving in July. "I like him because he works and he wants to be good. He doesn't talk a whole lot. He just wants to do his job and that's what you want as a coach."

And what a job Harris has done.

He has been one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's best receivers thus far, having hauled in 14 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging a league-best 23.5 yards per catch and 109.7 yards per game.

Harris, a native of Alexander City, is second in the league in receiving yards per game (109.7), fifth in all-purpose yards per game (121.3) and sixth in receptions per game (4.67).

This after catching 27 balls for 327 yards and two touchdowns in helping A&M win its first SWAC championship a year ago.

"I think I'm going to put up big numbers this year," Harris said.

Jones started preparing Harris for this season shortly after the Bulldogs finished spring practice. A&M lost two of its top four receivers to graduation and Anthony Mitchell, who eventually was ruled academically ineligible, was borderline on being able to play. Jones went to Harris and told him he needed to be ready for more.

"He told me he was looking forward to me catching up to 60 balls and being the leader among our receivers," Harris said. "I think I can be a leader, but I'm not a vocal leader. I lead through practicing and playing."

Totten certainly can attest to that.

"Thomas leads by example," he said. "He lets his work speak for him and I have no problem with that. I'm trying to bring a little more emotion out of him because I think he has the potential to be one of the leaders in our receiving corps.

"He's kind of laid-back. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just the way he is, but he performs.

Check out his numbers.

Harris had four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in A&M's 49-23 season-opening win over Tennessee State. In fact, he had back-to-back catches - a 42-yarder from wide receiver Gerald Stockdale and a 44-yarder from quarterback Kelcy Luke - to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard against the Tigers.

He had six catches for 92 yards in a 41-10 thumping of Clark Atlanta and torched Mississippi Valley State with four catches for 137 yards and a touchdown in Saturday night's 45-14 win.

Harris had three catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in the second half alone against the Delta Devils.

"We expected him to do that last year," Luke said. "He kind of deferred to the seniors because he was the new guy. He's the only receiver we have back that played a lot last year and he's stepped it up. This year, our offense has opened up and he's taking advantage of it."

Jones isn't surprised.

"Thomas made a lot of big plays last year and we knew he had that big-play potential," he said.

"Last year, he was a young guy surrounded by a bunch of veterans. This year, he was going to have to be the guy and we challenged him. He accepted that challenge."

Harris will try to continue his strong play Saturday night when A&M visits Grambling.

Kickoff is 6 and the game will be tape-delayed on ESPNU, beginning at 9.

It will be Harris' first visit to Grambling.

"I've heard it's very hostile - very loud," Harris said. "I've never been there so I don't know what to expect. I'm just going to go out there focused and ready to play."

Just like he's been through A&M's first three games.