For Nazareth Academy (IL) standout wide receiver Trell Harris, the rise to star to stardom is the result of inspiration he got watching his uncle, Matthew Harris, play at Northwestern University.
Each time Harris would watch his uncle play, he would dream of having his own success on the gridiron and playing college football.
Now, he no longer has to dream as Harris, who was the CCL/ESCC Green Player-of-the-Year after accounting for 1,725 total yards and 18 touchdowns last season, has committed to Kent State University.
"I’ve always played football as a kid for fun, but watching my uncle when he was in high school really sparked my interest into playing organized football. He is someone I’ve always looked up to. What I love most about the game is that football is the ultimate team sport and the competitive spirit, 11 people on the same team all with the same goal trying to win a game after all the work we’ve put in all week," Harris told Heartland Sports Report.
Harris continued by saying he set high goals to be just like his uncle.
"Looking up to my uncle, it most definitely was a goal of mine to be like him to trying to break his track records and going to the same high school as him and now even wearing the same number as him. He has always been there for me and has been an easy outlet for me whenever I need help in anything in life," Harris added.
For the last two seasons, Harris has been making a name for himself at Nazareth Academy after transferring in.
Harris told Heartland Sports Report that he already knew several of his new teammates and found a "family" atmosphere with his new team upon arrival.
"Transferring to Nazareth was easy. I already knew a couple of teammates from when I was little growing up in LaGrange and then I knew some teammates from my 7v7 club, but who really made it easy for me was the coaches. It was by far the best coaching staff I’ve ever had. Nazareth Academy football is really a family," Harris said.
As a senior, Harris accounted for 1,725 total yards and 18 trips to the end zone. As a receiver, he hauled in 53 passes for 865 yards and nine touchdowns . As a kickoff returner, he amassed over 800 yards and several touchdowns.
"Looking back at the season, what stands out the most to me is the relationships that I’ve built with my teammates in two years. I can truly say I have built some lifelong friendships. We went through a lot of adversity starting off 0-3 and we were able to just cancel out all the outside noise and just get better and better every week and was able to make a deep playoff run," Harris said.
Along the way came several offers from colleges, as Harris was offered by the likes of Kent State, Northern Illinois, South Dakota State, South Dakota, Northern Iowa, Howard, Eastern Illinois, Indiana State and Illinois State.
And, through it all, his uncle was right there to offer advice to his nephew.
"My uncle, Matthew, helped with recruiting, but in a different way. I didn’t get my first offer until junior year during the spring season so throughout that whole time with me not having an offer, he was just helping me keep my spirits up and just telling me to stay patient and that everything is going to click and when it does, your going to have many options to choose from," Harris said.
And, when it was all said and done, Harris opted for Kent State after seeing a family atmosphere that reminded of him of Nazareth.
"What set Kent State apart from the other schools was the family atmosphere. Coach Lewis and Coach Racki at Nazareth have the same atmosphere in their programs. I also wanted to go some where were I'm wanted and I most definitely felt that love from Coach Lewis and the staff," Harris said.
With his commitment set with the Golden Flashes, Harris looks to take his game one step further and be more like his uncle, as he aims to bring a conference crown to Kent State.
"My goals next year is to come in make some bonds with my new teammates and put myself in the best position to play and help make an impact to help the team win," Harris said.
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