One year later, Harris has put concussion behind him
CORAL GABLES – When you think about the hit that caused Miami quarterback Jacory Harris’ concussion last season at Virginia, you can’t help but be jarred by how brutal it was, even though it was completely clean by everyone’s account.
It also makes you wonder how in three-and-a-half seasons, the lanky, yet tough QB hasn’t been more seriously injured with all of the hard hits he’s taken. The concussion last season clearly has made ‘Canes coaches and trainers wary.
“The first thing they think anytime I get hit now is, ‘It’s a concussion,’” Harris said earlier this week. “I got hit and they were checking me out on the sideline and saying, ‘Is it a concussion?’ I said, ‘No. I just got hit hard.’”
Coach Al Golden admitted he was worried.
“He took a tough shot and I know he was sore for the next 48 hours,” Golden said. “He’s a tough kid. He’s resilient. I know he’s excited about the opportunity [Thursday night against Virginia]. I don’t think he’s really thinking…as soon as you start thinking about getting hit, you’re done.”
Harris is fearless, but Golden alluded that the concussion played a part in Harris’ struggles in the final two games he played in last season after returning.
“We’ve got his feet calmed down from the past. Certainly if you take those kinds of hits, you’ll have a tendency to move your feet and quicken the tempo of your throws and those types of things,” Golden said. “I don’t think he’s doing that.”
Virginia coach Mike London said this week he can see the ‘Canes using the hit last year as motivation.
“I’m quite sure they have not forgotten it,” London said. “We can’t use that. The only thing that was is a play that happened last year. It’s nothing that is going to help us this year.”
London was asked how Harris is different as a quarterback compared to a year ago.
“He’s much more patient in the pocket. You see sometimes people are rushing at him. I listened to Al—how he was assessing Jacory—talking about him having patience and developing second and third reads and he would become a better quarterback, more experienced quarterback,” London said.