Marcus Harris' message to teammates ahead of Iron Bowl: 'Stay locked in on the details'

AUBURN – Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris has the same emotions about the New Mexico State loss as anyone else on the team, but he is past it. It is time for the Iron Bowl, a game that means a lot to him.

Harris did not begin his career at Auburn. He went from Park Crossing High in Montgomery, Ala. to Lawrence to play for Kansas. He played well enough at Kansas to turn heads, including the heads of those on the previous Auburn coaching staff, ultimately returning home through the transfer portal.

Two years ago inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, Harris racked up four tackles and two tackles for loss against Alabama. He remembers great moments in the rivalry and hopes for more on Saturday.

“The Zakoby McClain pick-6, the kick-6, when Daniel Thomas was a freshman and caught two picks against Jalen Hurts that year,” Harris said. “I knew about that because he’s from my hometown and everybody was talking about that. I do remember that game (2010 Iron Bowl), that was a special one. They were down 24-0 and (Cam Newton) came back and gave a speech at halftime. I remember that game too.”

Read more from Harris below:

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Harris takes pride in bringing energy to practice each day. He could sense that things were off a week ago. Some days were up to par and some were not. It bothered him. He is going to help implement the game day mentality every day this week leading into the Iron Bowl.

“Just bring the energy myself,” Harris said. “Last week, we brought energy, but same days were better than others. It was inconsistent. So, this week we just have to be consistent every day, come with the same approach and have the game day mentality. We will be good. Come consistent and be ready at practice. Push your teammates, too. You have to push your teammates and get the best out of them as well.”

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There are several players who have never played in an Iron Bowl: nearly half of the team, actually. There are even more who have never had the privilege to be the home team in an Iron Bowl. Marcus Harris has done it and had lots of success as well. His voice should have a calming effect on many young players and transfers going into the emotions of the game. Harris is working with freshman defensive lineman Keldric Faulk this week specifically.

“I’m just telling (Faulk) to be calm and be himself,” Harris said. “He’s a freshman, this is not his first big game of the season, but this one hits close to home with him being from Alabama. Just telling him to keep his emotions in tact and play like he has this whole season. He has been playing tremendously this season. I just tell guys to just be yourself. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t get into all that after the play stuff. Stay locked in on the details and we will be good. Use our home field to our advantage.”

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For those who do not know, Marcus Harris is the older brother of Auburn 2024 defensive line commit Malik Blocton. Blocton has noticeably and statistically taken his game up a level this season as Pike Road continues on into the third round of the Alabama 6A playoffs. Blocton has double-digit sacks and at one point had 8 sacks in the span of two games. Harris has been working with Blocton and can’t wait to practice with him at a bowl practice.

“I try to give him a couple of pointers and a couple of keys to help him lock in on his opponents. I have given him a couple of tips on how to prepare and watch film. He has taken advantage of that. He understands it well at a young age. I can’t wait to see how he advances in these playoffs and when he comes here to get him at a bowl practice or two and see how he is around here.”