Jaden Harris talks transition to safety: “If they want me to carry the waters or clean the cars, I’m OK with it.”
Both Coach Cristobal and Coach Guidry have been quick to point out the progress of sophomore S Jaden Harris. His physicality and speed, along with his experience at nickel, brings a different dynamic to the safety room. Harris met with reporters to discuss his progress in spring practice:
On moving from nickel to safety: A great adjustment. I trust the coaches and they said they see me better as playing the safety. I was lucky enough to learn from Kam [Kinchens] and James [Williams] so you know that's a dream come true. Whatever they want me to do– if they want me to carry the waters or clean the cars, I'm okay with it.
On what he learned from Kinchens and Williams: Probably the biggest thing they taught to me was to focus on the mental part of the game and not so much the physical. Knowing that the game is a lot of film study, a lot of knowing your opponent versus just trying to do drills all the time and get better with technique. You got to really know the opponent, that's gonna make you play faster. So that's something I learned from Kam and James.
On new DB coach Chevis Jackson: He's been great for us. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of juice. We learned a lot of technique when it comes to man-to-man and playing [cover] zero. He’s a great addition.
On his physical development: I put on about 10 pounds. I was about 186 last year in the season. Now, I’m 196 pounds. I'm trying to do 200.
On Zaquan Patterson and Dylan Day: Those boys are special. I tell them they are light years ahead of where I was when I got here. Now they just got to get in the playbook. I’m really excited.
On whether competition pushes him harder: I go as hard as I can every single day, no matter if LeBron James is my teammate. We’re all trying to work together and help each other out. It's a team sport. That's why we play.
On Guidry coaching safeties: I think it's a lot easier having Coach Guidry coach us, because he's the coordinator. Whatever he says goes. He's a smart coach. I've never had anyone like him.
On moving from nickel to safety: A great adjustment. I trust the coaches and they said they see me better as playing the safety. I was lucky enough to learn from Kam [Kinchens] and James [Williams] so you know that's a dream come true. Whatever they want me to do– if they want me to carry the waters or clean the cars, I'm okay with it.
On what he learned from Kinchens and Williams: Probably the biggest thing they taught to me was to focus on the mental part of the game and not so much the physical. Knowing that the game is a lot of film study, a lot of knowing your opponent versus just trying to do drills all the time and get better with technique. You got to really know the opponent, that's gonna make you play faster. So that's something I learned from Kam and James.
On new DB coach Chevis Jackson: He's been great for us. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of juice. We learned a lot of technique when it comes to man-to-man and playing [cover] zero. He’s a great addition.
On his physical development: I put on about 10 pounds. I was about 186 last year in the season. Now, I’m 196 pounds. I'm trying to do 200.
On Zaquan Patterson and Dylan Day: Those boys are special. I tell them they are light years ahead of where I was when I got here. Now they just got to get in the playbook. I’m really excited.
On whether competition pushes him harder: I go as hard as I can every single day, no matter if LeBron James is my teammate. We’re all trying to work together and help each other out. It's a team sport. That's why we play.
On Guidry coaching safeties: I think it's a lot easier having Coach Guidry coach us, because he's the coordinator. Whatever he says goes. He's a smart coach. I've never had anyone like him.
