Quin Harris didn't get any serious scholarship offers coming out of high school, and was all set to play football at College of Sequoias.
Then a strange thing happened.
Louisiana Tech's recruiting coordinator back in 2004 apparently had ties with the football coach at COS, and told him he was looking for a quarterback. The coach told him that he didn't have a quarterback, but that he had a great safety.
Well, the rest is history. Harris eventually got an offer from then-head coach Jack Bicknell, and left his California home with one thin acceptance letter from Tech in his possession.
Harris had never visited the campus in Ruston, a small rural town located about an hour from Shreveport. Heck, Harris had never even been in the state of Louisiana. He was going 1,500 miles from home, and was going to be away from his family for an extended period of time for the first time in his life.
"It was a little bit of a culture shock when I first got here," said Harris, who is the only Californian on the roster. "It took a while getting used to things. I found out there wasn't a whole lot to do outside of campus. We just hang out here (on campus).
"I love it here now, though. The people are so friendly. The people here are for you. They are always asking if I need anything. They are really into following us (the team). We get a lot of support. I love the slow pace of life here. When I go home, it's so fast-paced. I miss it here (Ruston)."
And, Harris has proven that the Bulldogs did the right thing in bringing him aboard.
In his first two seasons at Tech, the 6-2 221-pound Harris, who was converted into a linebacker, has recorded 125 tackles, a team-leading 95 of them coming last year. He also has forced four fumbles, recovered six fumbles and intercepted three passes.
Included in that total of 95 were four games where he had 10 tackles or more. He opened the season with an 11-tackle effort against Nebraska in a 49-10 loss and followed that up with 10 stops in a 31-21 win over Nicholls State. Six weeks later, he registered 12 stops in a 44-10 loss at San Jose State and compiled a career-high 14 against North Texas, the following week in a 34-31 victory.
And, he's impressed new head coach Derek Dooley with his play.
"He's a consummate, complete player," Dooley said. "He gets so much out of his ability because of the effort he gives and his commitment to the game.
"If I had 22 of him, we would be a good football team. He does things the right way on and off the field."
According to Dooley, Harris' ability to consistently be around the ball and make plays has to do with effort and instincts.
"He has that God-given talent; that instinctive ability," Dooley said. "He sees things quicker and reacts quicker."
Dooley said that playing in the 4-3 will help Harris and give him a chance to make more plays. In the 3-4, Harris often found himself matched up against a tight end. That won't happen in the 4-3.
"He'll play more in space," Dooley said. "He will play in coverage. It frees him up a little bit and hopefully we'll get more production."
That's music to Harris' ears. There's nothing he'd like more than to make more plays and put some big-time hits on opposing receivers and ball-carriers.
So, WAC skill players, if you see a heat-seeking missile come your way this fall, chances are it's Harris ready to make a big hit.
THE HARRIS FILEYear in school: Junior
Position: Outside linebacker
Height/weight: 6-2/221
High school: Redwood High in Visalia, Calif.