Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 86 DeMarcus Harris

Kentucky football season is almost here. Players have officially reported back to campus as KSR’s countdown drops to 86. DeMarcus Harris will be rocking No. 86 in the wide receivers’ room. If you don’t know about the Florida native, the time is now. Will Levis will be counting on Harris to make plays this fall.

“I think DeMarcus Harris has done a great job developing and realizing he has an opportunity to be in a much bigger role this year,” Levis told KSR last month. “He’s worked his tail off and has been someone that I can really trust to throw the ball to and believe he’s going to catch the ball and make things happen.”

Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello adds, “I think that, in a group where you have a lot of youth, someone has to step up and own that. He’s done a good job in that room leading those guys and asserting himself.”

About Harris

Entering his fourth season in Lexington, as a high school senior DeMarcus Harris was one of the most productive pass-catchers in the state of Florida. The Vero Beach receiver led the state with 1,582 receiving yards with 73 receptions and 16 touchdowns in 2018. A three-star prospect, Harris concluded his career as the Treasure Coast’s all-time record holder with 2,864 receiving yards.

Harris Career Highlight

He aged like a fine wine throughout the 2021 season. After catching just two passes for 14 yards in the first six weeks of the season, No. 86 flipped a switch against the best defense to ever play football. Harris caught a pair of passes for 31 yards to move the sticks on back-to-back plays in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs. He carried the momentum all the way to the Citrus Bowl where he once again snagged a pair of first down passes against Iowa, ultimately finishing his 2021 campaign with 12 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown.

DeMarcus Harris Fun Fact

His father, Marc Harris, spent three years in the Chicago White Sox farm system. From 1991-93 he totaled 95 hits with a .198 batting average. Unfortunately, he could not climb high enough to team up with Michael Jordan on the Birmingham Barons in ’93. Marc Harris was his son’s high school wide receivers’ coach.

2022 Forecast

The Kentucky offense needs Harris to be Steady Eddie this fall. He is the most experienced Wildcat in Scott Woodward’s wide receivers room. It’s what sets him apart from the young pass-catchers that bring more speed or more length to the table. While they work through growing pains, Levis needs Harris to be a rock solid, reliable pass-catcher.

Herein lies the problem. Early in his Kentucky career he caught a case of the drops. It clearly got into his head and effectively eliminated his ability to be productive for a few weeks. The experienced vet can’t let one bad play snowball. He must play like the wisest wide receiver on campus.

Another Florida wide receiver, Josh Ali, answered the bell a year ago in a similar situation. History can repeat itself this fall with DeMarcus Harris.