2024 3* S, Nickel, or Hybrid LB Kaleb Harris Commits To AU!

[Tigger1985 808]

Surprised that we got one from Thompson but looks like a great pickup 

[bigbird 60,567]

6 hours ago, Tigger1985 said:

Surprised that we got one from Thompson but looks like a great pickup 

We won't be locked out of Thompson with Freeze here.  

[AEAugirl 9,633]

Have we ever got a kid from Thompson?  

 

[AUpreacherman22 3,888]

[tigers23 653]

15 hours ago, bigbird said:

It's amazing what can happen when HS coaches believe in the HC. Freeman didn't the last two. 

Well I know for a fact that Harsin never showed up at THS. No way to build belief in the HC when they are never around

[HAPvsOA 287]

3 hours ago, AEAugirl said:

Have we ever got a kid from Thompson?  

 

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[Paladin 3,305]

Auburn getting 'impactful' player in Harris

Caleb Jones • AuburnSports

Staff

@CalebJ_Rivals

HOOVER, Ala. — In nine seasons as head coach of Thompson High School, Mark Freeman has turned the Warriors into a powerhouse at the 7A level.

He's coached a lot of players, seen plenty of them play at the next level and won four consecutive state titles. However, he's never coached someone like the newest Auburn commit, Kaleb Harris

"He might be the most impactful football player we’ve ever had," Freeman said. "He’s physical, he’s strong, his instincts are tremendous. He’s our leader, he’s our dog. He’s a good football player."

Kaleb Harris is Auburn's most recent commit. (Rivals.com)

On and off the field, Harris holds his teammates accountable, making sure the Warriors' defense is set up for success every play.

"He does it by his actions," Freeman said. "He doesn’t say a whole lot, but when he says stuff they listen. I told Coach (Hugh) Freeze he could play at any level. In college, he’s gonna be a star/nickel type player and he’ll knock your head off and he can cover people."

Hoover's quarterback found out fast just how hard Harris hits Friday night when facing the Warriors. On a third down play, Harris shot across the line of scrimmage and delivered a powerful strike.

Putting Harris on the line is something that Freeman would like to do more often, but the issue is that it might give something up in the secondary. Regardless of where Harris played Friday against Hoover he created issues for the Buccaneers, as Thompson won the game 21-11.

"He can move around," Freeman said. "Kaleb’s a good football player and Coach Freeze and them got a winner. He’s a winner."

How exactly did Freeze and Auburn land Harris?

"They were aggressive," Freeman said. "I think the other staff had actually offered him and the ball kinda got dropped...I’ve known Coach Freeze for a long time and I just think he’s gonna do great things at Auburn. I asked Coach (Freeze) to reevaluate [Harris] and look at him, and they did."

Overall, Freeman knows what kind of player Auburn is getting on the defensive side of the ball.

"He is a heck of a star/nickel/money type player," Freeman said. "He loves the line of scrimmage, he loves tackling people, but he can cover so he’s a really good football player."

Harris committed to Auburn on Oct. 23 and became the Tigers' 17th commit in the 2024 class.

"I want our kids to go where they feel comfortable," Freeman said. "Kaleb grew up loving Auburn. I’m happy for Kaleb, I’m happy for Coach Freeze and Auburn."

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[Gowebb11 9,330]

On 10/28/2023 at 10:30 AM, Paladin said:

"He might be the most impactful football player we’ve ever had," Freeman said. "He’s physical, he’s strong, his instincts are tremendous. He’s our leader, he’s our dog. He’s a good football player."

Dang! Stout statement for a program like that. WDE!

[1auburn1 1,120]

Love love love gettin in on the Thompson train.   

[Paladin 3,305]

2023 Regular Season Highlights

 

[bigbird 60,567]

Really nice instincts

[Paladin 3,305]

Auburn going in 'right direction'

Caleb Jones • AuburnSports

This weekend was a learning experience for Kaleb Harris.

The Auburn defensive back commit out of Thompson was in town for his official visit over the weekend, as he gets closer to signing with Auburn. He got to witness the Iron Bowl, and although it didn't work out in the Tigers' favor, there were still plenty of things to take away.

"I learned a lot, I learned they’re determined," Harris said. "On the short things they have now, next year we’ll come in and change it."

Auburn commit Kaleb Harris took his official visit over the weekend. (Rivals.com)

Harris was one of five Auburn commits taking their official visits over the weekend, but nearly every commit in both the 2024 and 2025 classes were on campus for the game. All of the commits took in the game together, which Harris viewed as important.

"We created some bonds," Harris said. "Got to meet some people I ain’t really met too much but I think it’s gonna be a good ride...The atmosphere was crazy at the game. Opened some eyes that we’re going in the right direction, ready to flip the script."

Flip the script. That's been Auburn's message to Harris throughout his process, as the Tigers envision him in the star position.

Auburn certainly flipped the script in a week, going from a 21-point home loss against New Mexico State to being one play away from upsetting the No. 8 team in the country a week later.

"It means a lot, but it means they were really looking forward to this game," Harris said on the turnaround. "We can’t overlook a game like that, but it meant a lot."

The 6-foot defensive back has a big game of his own upcoming on his calendar, as Thompson faces Central for the Alabama 7A State Championship next week.

"It’s a dog world, we just got to see who’s the biggest dog," Harris said. "We got some dogs on my side, they got some dogs on their side."

Following the state title game, Harris will get ready for the next step. He plans to sign with Auburn in December and enroll early.