Here's why Christ School's Josh Harrison committed to Wake Forest

Josh Harrison originally transferred to Christ School from Greenville, South Carolina, to play basketball ahead of the 2021-2022 school year. But coach Chad Walker convinced him to try football.

Two years later, Harrison now only plays football. He is coming off a season in which he tallied 11 sacks to go along with 58 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 13 quarterback hurries, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

He reeled in 14 Division I scholarship offers due to his strong junior campaign this offseason. After evaluating all of his options, Harrison gave his commitment to Wake Forest on Saturday.

He said he committed to the Demon Deacons because of the relationship he developed with head coach Dave Clawson and assistant for head coach and defensive line coach Dave Cohen.

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“Getting to meet coach Clawson and seeing how great of a person he is, how close with the players he is as well,” Harrison said. “It seemed like a no-brainer and even after going to visit and talking with the players and how much they seem to enjoy it.

“It just seemed like the perfect fit.”

Harrison said his relationship with the coaching staff started after he visited Wake Forest last summer right before this past season. They didn’t offer him a scholarship right away but kept in touch with him until they finally offered him one in late February.

He said the coaching staff wants him to be a defensive end and outside linebacker hybrid. He added that the coaches will line him up at the edge spot on the defensive line but will drop back into coverage from time to time.

Harrison said the coaching staff was impressed with his football skills despite the fact that he’s only played football for two years.

“They can tell I have an amazing motor,” Harrison said. “My pass rush skills are very elite for only playing football for two years.”

He said he also chose the Demon Deacons because of their strong academics and the McCreary Complex, a football facility, that is planned to be finished this spring.

“They seem to be trending upward for sure,” Harrison said. “They were just in the ACC Championship in 2021. It’s just a program I want to be a part of.”

Walker said Harrison’s football journey is impressive. He said Harrison has a plethora of pass-rush moves but said he’s a special player because of his motor.

“When the ball goes the opposite direction, just his pursuit angles, his understanding of I’m not just a pass rusher, I’ve got to set the edge defensively,” Walker said. “I’ve got to pursue the football.”

He believes Harrison can put up more than 11 sacks in his senior campaign. He added that Harrison hasn’t even come close to reaching his ceiling as a player yet.

“His ceiling is extremely high at the next level,” Walker said. “I mean he’s not even fully developed as a football player. He’s going to keep getting bigger, faster, stronger.”

Walker said Wake Forest is also getting a good leader in Harrison.

“It just comes natural for Josh,” Walker said. “He’s a natural leader. He’s not afraid to have tough conversations with guys, teammates. He’s definitely a guy that you can look to as well if you’re a younger player and get that role model piece.

“I think for Wake Forest, they’re getting a tremendous leader and a tremendous football player.”

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Here's why Christ School's Josh Harrison committed to Wake Forest