During mid-day football practices when conditions are set to “sauna,” Hawaii receiver Jackson Harris is breezing through drills.
It does not matter that the Rainbow Warriors practice in a makeshift venue or that even with Wednesday’s approval, a replacement for Aloha Stadium is still at least three years away from completion. Harris, who transferred from Stanford in January, is finally at the right place at the right time.
“You can go to a place that has all the money in the world,” Harris said. “On the field, what does that matter? I knew coming here there was going to be some good competition with that run-and-shoot offense. I was going to have an opportunity to make some plays and change my life.”
Harris was a difference-maker as a 4-star prospect at Berkeley (Calif.) High. As a junior in 2021, Harris had more than 600 receiving yards despite being limited to four games because of a broken finger. As a senior, he was the state leader in regular-season receiving yards (1,492).
He chose Stanford because he wanted to remain in the Bay Area. He honored that commitment after David Shaw resigned as Cardinal head coach in November 2022.
“I don’t regret my choice of staying there at all,” Harris said. “I learned a lot.”
His first college game was supposed to be against Hawaii in the Cardinal’s 2023 opener. But in training camp, he was told he would redshirt as a freshman. He was held out of the first eight games, playing in four of the final five, to preserve his redshirt status. Last year, he played in five games, catching three passes on five targets.
Despite his speed (23 mph in the flying 10) and big-play potential (average targeted depth was 18.2 yards during his Stanford career), Harris was an afterthought in Troy Taylor’s run-heavy offense. Last year, Stanford rotated four tight ends, rushed 54.2% of the plays, and targeted routes of 10-plus yards 23.8% of the time.
Harris entered the portal after the season. Taylor was dismissed in March.
“When I entered the portal, I didn’t have much tape,” Harris said. “I was going out there by faith. I was being patient.”
UH receivers coach Jared Ursua initiated contact.
“His call felt different,” Harris said. “His approach was different. He was direct and transparent. He was really open. After we hung up, I called my mom and told her, ‘I think I might be going to Hawaii.’”
Ursua said: “When we started talking about the offense, I think that’s what really started to make him like us. It was the hot button. … And on the other part, this offense (is not loaded with) tight ends and fullbacks. This was set up to throw the ball. I think that was the marriage point for us, where we were both like, ‘This is right.’”
During the UH-sponsored recruiting trip, Harris and Kentucky transfer Brandon White bonded. Harris also embraced the self-styled “braddahhood.”
“I knew I was going to commit when I came on the visit,” Harris said.
Harris was held out of contact drills during the first 10 practices of training camp because of an ailment. Fully healed, Harris is in the rotation at wideout. At 6 feet 3 and 205 pounds, he is skilled on fades, crosses and jump-ball plays.
“We love that he’s here and wants to be part of us,” head coach Timmy Chang said.
Harris has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
“This is my redshirt sophomore year,” Harris said. “It’s a big one for me. Me and the QBs have some good chemistry. … At the end of the day, I just wanted to play ball. This is the place for me.”