Jacob Harris: Playing with a Legacy

Legacy can be a tricky thing to live up to, which is the challenge that sophomore tight end Jacob Harris stepped into when he decided to attend Bowling Green State University after committing in 2022, where his father, Josh Harris, played quarterback from 2000-03.

Josh Harris was one of the most successful BGSU quarterbacks to ever wear the Orange and Brown, finishing his career with 7,503 passing yards, 55 passing touchdowns and 55 rushing touchdowns—becoming the career leader in rushing touchdowns at Bowling Green and being named an Honorable Mention All-American in 2003.

"I really didn't even realize because [Josh Harris] doesn't talk about a whole lot, just in general. Then, when he does, he's kind of like, whatever about it…It was no big deal," said Jacob Harris. "But when you hear, you get older and you hear some of the alumni talk about the stuff that was going on, guys that were on that team and stories, the big feats, beating all the Power 4 teams or Power 5 teams."

While Josh Harris didn't discuss his playing career often, he was his son's coach throughout his childhood and helped him handle the pressure of stepping into his the legacy while pursuing athletics—that also includes Tami Harris, an Ohio State Hall of Fame track and field athlete, who is Josh Harris' wife and Jacob Harris' mother.

"This stuff is not weird for our family, like it's almost expected," said Josh Harris. "I think there has been a standard instilled in him and an expectation."

Growing up in Westerville, Ohio, Jacob Harris has been surrounded by the game of football for his entire life.

"It's always been a part of my life ever since I can remember. Even after [Josh Harris] was done playing professionally, he played with the Marion Blue Racers arena football. So, when I was like really, really little, those are some of my first like football memories, going to those games," said Jacob Harris. "He really just did that so that we could see him play because we were too young when he was in the league. So, just being around it and then he coached me all the way up through high school."

Before settling into the role of tight end, Jacob Harris bounced around multiple offensive positions before finding his groove.

"Honestly, I started off at quarterback just because [Josh Harris] played quarterback. I wanted to play quarterback. He's always kept it real with me. And when the game started speeding up, he said I didn't process information fast enough to play quarterback," said Jacob Harris. "So I had always had good hands, so we moved the receiver, played receiver all up through, and a little bit of running back as well."

Jacob Harris spent his life growing up and playing football, but he himself didn't grow into full football shape until later in life.

"Jacob's been highly skilled since the beginning of time, but Jacob was a late bloomer," said Josh Harris. "He started high school at 5-foot-10, 125 pounds—he left high school at 6-foot-4, 215. We had to wait, but the skill level was there early."

Jacob Harris has been taking full advantage of his large frame this season with an expanded role in the offense, totaling three touchdowns on the year—including his first career touchdown catch against Liberty in the team's 23-13 Homecoming win, in the right side of the end zone, with his family in attendance just feet away.

"I don't know if you all know, but that corner is right where my family was standing. So up on the fence, where I'm kind of like walking down and like yelling at, I'm yelling at them," said Jacob Harris. "Literally right in front of them, like I'm hearing them yell, 'Come on, Jacob, come on Jacob,' like right before the play is about to happen. So, that was a really special moment, to be able to do that in a big game in front of a big crowd, right in front of my family, was really cool."

Seeing the first touchdown of his son's career was a monumental moment for Josh Harris.

"Long time coming. It was, I don't want to say a dream realized, but it was huge for the family, and it was huge for Jacob," said Josh Harris. "His brother's his biggest fan and best friend, so everybody was there.

Jacob Harris' most recent touchdown snag came in BGSU's 28-23 comeback win in the Battle of I-75 against Toledo.

"One particular day at practice, he dropped a couple in a row, and I didn't get on him, but I said, 'Alright now.' After the practice was over, I didn't say any more than that," said Josh Harris. "After practice was over, I was like, 'Man, you keep on trying to make these 'ooh' and 'ah' catches.' He said, 'Daddy, I'm not trying to make 'ooh' and 'ah' catches.' I said, 'Well, when you catch them, what does everybody do? They 'ooh' and they 'ah'. So that's what they are to me.' He said, 'I do this so that I can learn what I can do.'"

Even with the pressure of attending the same university, the younger Harris is carving out his own legacy at Bowling Green.

"There's always a little (pressure), but it's been my whole life, essentially; it's nothing new. It is a little bit magnified because I'm in the same place. I'm practicing and playing here. I look up and his name is up in the stadium. But I think that's a cool thing. We're two separate people," said Jacob Harris. "I think it's awesome that I get to play at the same place he played. We get to be teammates, essentially, not just father and son."

For Josh Harris, he sees nothing but bright things in the future for his new teammate, which goes beyond his own legacy.

"A special young man [who] has his own journey. Yes, we share the university, but our experiences have been and will continue to be completely different," said Josh Harris. "He's got his own journey to write, and he's writing it right now."

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