CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Jakeen Harris spent four seasons with the N.C. State Wolfpack before heading down the road to join the Tar Heels.
Before swapping colors and committing to North Carolina, Harris recorded 166 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 48 career games with the Wolfpack. He started in 22 of those 48 appearances.
Harris, listed at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, has one more season of eligibility after a pectoral tear sidelined him in N.C. State’s 2023 season opener.
He played his high school career at Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Ga. The 247Sports Composite rated Harris as a mid-three-star, ranking him the No. 1,420 overall recruit and No. 120 safety in the country. UNC offered Harris and hosted him on campus during his high school recruitment.
Here is what Harris said in his first time addressing the media since enrolling:
“I knew it was a really great program because I played against them. I played against (the) running backs Michael Carter and (Javonte) Williams. I played against those guys, so I knew they were really tough, and I knew, seeing guys go to the NFL, I can be one of those guys.”
“Nothing really surprised me. Walking to class here is just about the easiest thing.”
State’s got a long campus.
“Yeah, you have to drive through the campus.”
How much interaction have you had with Mack Brown?
“I’ve had some interaction. When he’s coming around to see us, he’s always loving on us. He’s a great guy. I love him already.”
WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE GETTING TO KNOW THE RETURNING DEFENSIVE BACKS?
“Just interacting with guys like Alijah Huzzie and Antavious Lane. We’re just integrated and getting to know each other. Bonding, so we can have that bond on the field.”
Do you call him Stick?
“I call him Stick, but I’m just calling him by his name.”
What have you learned from some of those guys about adjusting as a transfer here, or has it been a smooth transition?
“(It’s been) kind of a smooth transition.”
PAT SUDDES SAID WHEN YOU HIT THE PORTAL, THEY KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU, AND YOU JUST GOT IN THE CAR AND DROVE OVER HERE. WAS IT A FAIRLY QUICK AND EASY DECISION FOR YOU?
“I was talking with my parents, so it was probably a couple of weeks, trying to weigh my options. It was nothing really quick. I had to think about it, because (UNC) called me day one and they wanted me to just think about it.”
Was there a hesitancy because of the rivalry, or did you just say ‘I gotta go where I gotta go’?
“I gotta go – it’s about me sometimes.”
WHAT WAS YOUR INJURY, AND ARE YOU 100% NOW?
“I had a left pec tear the first game (last season against UConn).”
So you’ve fully healed in the last couple of months, and you’re fully cleared?
“Yes sir.”
Can you describe the process of working through that injury, and what was that like for you personally?
“It’s always hard working back from an injury because you go get surgery. You have to sit down for a couple of weeks. With my injury, I got hurt, and then I had to get surgery, but then I had to get another surgery because I had an infection.
“So that slowed me down just a little bit, but it really didn’t. But when I hit the ground and started rolling, it started getting better and better. Just working hard every day, trying to get back, that was really big for me.”
Had you not had the infection, would you have returned during the season?
“No, it still would have been a season-ending injury.”
How far apart were the two surgeries?
“It was about two days.”
OBVIOUSLY, THE INJURY WAS TOUGH, BUT YOU REDSHIRTED AND HAVE ANOTHER YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY. YOU’VE HAD A LONG CAREER, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO END YOUR COLLEGE CAREER AT UNC?
“For me, I want to win the ACC championship. So that’s the goal: to win an ACC championship. And hopefully, be in the playoffs.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WAY UNC PLAYS DEFENSE? THEY TOOK A LOT OF STRIDES IN THE FIRST SIX GAMES OF THE SEASON COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.
“Just guys getting to the ball and creating turnovers. That’s what I like about them.”
So those explosive plays?
“Oh, yeah.”
How much have you been able to talk to new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins?
“A little bit. He’s been recruiting over the last week. I talked to him, it was really good. Really good conversation about what we’re going to do.”
