Four-star DB recaps Alabama official visit

Todd Harris, four-star safety from Plaquemine High School in Louisiana, was one of the top uncommitted prospects in Tuscaloosa for an official visit this past weekend.

"The visit was good," Harris said. "I had a good time. My mom, dad, brother and aunt went with me. My mom and aunt have been there with me before. It was my dad's first time. My bother went up there for a game with me.

"Hanging out with the staff was really great. It was good to spend time with Coach Saban. Just getting to know him and the players better. It was good to have a fun weekend. We put football aside. It was fun going to Coach Saban's house and riding go-carts. That was something new. I haven't done that on any visits.

"The food was great. We had a lot of food. I didn't leave hungry. The best meal was probably when we went to Chuck's Fish. They had a ton of food. My plate was heavy. I had steak, fish, potatoes and fries."

I plan on majoring in Sports Management. We sat down with the academic advisor. He was telling us different things like the background of his career. He talked about how successful he was with taking the major and stuff like that.

"My mom and dad really enjoyed the visit. They told me it's my decision. I can say they really enjoyed the visit at Alabama though."

Harris spent a lot of time around Coach Saban and the rest of the coaching staff.

"Coach Saban just telling me about the opportunities the University of Alabama brings outside of football," he said. "He talked about how successful I can be at the University of Alabama.

"He talked about how hard it is to fail with so many people in your corner. He said you really only fail if you want to fail. The support will be there. If you want to play ball at Bama you have to work hard. Nothing is handed to you. You have to take advantage of opportunities in front of you.

"Coach Burns is my recruiter. He is the one who comes around a little more. I feel like I have a great relationship with the whole staff. Coach Saban and I have a good relationship. Coach Pruitt is cool. He is real straightforward. Coach Ansley is my dude. He also keeps it straightforward. The players said he is real cool outside of football."

Alabama has recruited well in Louisiana throughout the years. It comes as no surprise he was hosted by a Bayou State product.

"Shyheim Carter was my player host," Harris said. "He is cool. We were on the same 7-on-7 team a few years ago. He is also from the Boot (Louisiana). I already knew him a little bit. I was just getting to know him better. I enjoyed hanging out with him. He was telling me just to come in and work really hard. He was also saying to take advantage of opportunities. He said at Bama you have to come work hard.

"I already knew a lot of the guys in my class who were there like DeVonta Smith, Dylan Moses, Chris Allen, Markail (Benton) and Mac Jones. I know a handful of those guys from previous events. Of course, I kept hearing 'savages want to play with savages' and come play with Bama. They didn't give me too much pressure. They are just trying to see what's going on with me."

Harris has very high interest in the Crimson Tide following his final trip to Tuscaloosa before he announces a college decision.

"How they feel and go about everything," he said when asked what he likes about Alabama. "They are successful in everything they do. They develop great men. Football will end one day.

"They have the 1st and 10 club with alumni. They sit down with players. They help set them up with a career after football. That stood out. Coach Saban said the only other program that does that he knows about is Ohio State. It's something my mom really likes about Alabama. They are also winning championships. They create young great players. Everyone seems so focused. The brotherhood is really strong there."

The finalists are Alabama, Arizona State, LSU and TCU. A decision is expected on National Signing Day (February 1).

"They are all pretty close if not equal," Harris said. "After the TCU visit I will sit down with my parents and see what they think about everything. All pretty equal in terms of recruiting me the hardest. It's getting down to the end. I am hearing from all a lot right now.

"Arizona State is coming on Wednesday. Coach O (Ed Orgeron) is coming sometime this week or maybe this weekend after my TCU visit. I know Coach Ansley is also coming back down there this week."