321preps Dandy Dozen: Palm Bay's Daniel Harris showcases versatility on football field
Palm Bay's Daniel Harris will be back on the field after missing his entire junior season recovering from a knee injury.
After being out almost a year-and-a-half, Palm Bay head coach Jake Owens said the absence of Harris was felt in more ways than one.
"Its not easy when you're a competitor like him and you have a freak injury that happened. He was definitely missed last year," Owens said. "Not just for his production on the field — that speaks for itself — but what people don't see is his leadership and the way he carries himself around the team."
Harris is one of 12 Brevard County senior high school football players on FLORIDA TODAY's list of the area's most highly sought recruits, the 321preps Dandy Dozen.
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Missing any amount of time away from the sport you love is hard for anyone, but even though Harris was away from the game for some time, he still has a strong passion for football.
"I just love football. If you have anger built up inside, you can take it all out," Harris said. "Football is me. Football is how I get through things, and it is life for me."
Prior to his injury, Harris was known as a staunch defender playing off the edge, but with his athletic ability he can be used in positions all over the field.
"He can play both sides of the ball. He loves defense, and that's where his heart is," Owens said. "For us, he can play off the edge; he can play safety. He's that athletic and that talented. And then obviously on the offensive side he can play receiver, and I mean the kid can throw the ball 70 yards. There nothing really he can't do."
This season, Harris is ready to get back on the field and feels like there is a sense of hope for the program.
"My four years at Palm Bay hasn't been as planned, but it's been good and we are turning the ship around," Harris said. "With this coaching staff that was put together, I feel like it is a real big accomplishment what he have did in the last year, so I feel like we got this this season."
Harris' versatile style of play, whether it is on offense or defense, has garnered the attention of several top football colleges throughout the country.
"I will tell you this that people are going to remember him very quickly once we kick off here in about four or five weeks," Owens said. "People are going to remember who Daniel Harris is."
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 321preps Dandy Dozen: Palm Bay's Daniel Harris ready for senior season
