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AJ Harris TD vs Lincoln CA
Michael Pierce

AJ Harris Looks Back at Roots Before Last 2024 Game

11/16/2024 9:00:00 AM

By: Luke Kotcher, Assistant Athletics Communication Director

ROLLA, Mo. – New Missouri S&T transfer AJ Harris is set to complete his 2024 season on Saturday after he transferred from Iowa State in the offseason. 

AJ Harris was born into a football family. His dad, Arlen Harris Sr., played in the NFL from 2003-2007. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams in 2003 and went on to play for the Detroit Lions in 2006 and the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. AJ’s story of how he started to play football is not something expected. 

“Me and my brother started playing flag football very young,” Harris said. “My dad was not the one to push us to play. He wanted us to choose what we wanted to do. My mother wanted us to give it a shot.”
AJ Harris
Photo via AJ Harris

Harris played at Wentzville High School in Wentzville, Missouri. In four seasons, he had 6,090 total yards with 110 touchdowns to help lead Wentzville to their first ever state championship. His father, Arlen, was his coach at Wentzville. 

“It was really fun to play under my dad,” Harris said. “My dad has always pushed me to play the best to my ability.”
AJ Harris
Photo via AJ Harris

Going into college, Harris was a unanimous top-40 running back in his class, including no. 20 by ESPN and a four-star recruit. With an abundance of offers all over the country, he chose to head west at Stanford University. With the Cardinals, Harris redshirted until he chose to enter the transfer portal at the end of the season. 

“The biggest thing coming out of high school was actually staying close to home,” Harris said jokingly. "Obviously I didn’t do that the first time. We wanted to find a school that had a great balance of pushing me on the field and pushing me off the field. At that time, we felt that Stanford was the best opportunity. Things change and that’s fine, it was just God realigning of where I needed to be.”
AJ Harris
Photo via Stanford University

He chose to transfer to Iowa State University. As an athletic freshman, Harris appeared in one game for the Cyclones. Against Cincinnati on Oct. 14, 2023, Harris made one appearance with one carry for six yards. Following the 2023 season, he went into the transfer portal once again. 

“Iowa State was great,” Harris said. “I had a great time there. I felt that God, again, was pulling me away which is hard. Nobody wants to transfer college twice but it’s what I had to go through. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
AJ Harris
Photo via Iowa State University

Following his transfer portal entry, Missouri S&T reached out to Harris. He decided to come closer to his hometown of Wentzville and join the Miners for his sophomore season. 

“It was a lot of fun recruiting AJ,” head coach Andy Ball said. “He comes from a wonderful and supportive family, and it was a lot of fun getting to know them.”
“Missouri S&T actually talked to me right when I got in the portal,” Harris said. “They were one of the first schools to reach out. We wanted to make sure it was the right one. It turned out the place to be where I could grow in my faith, field and academics. The ideals that coach Ball provided within this program sold me on it.”
AJ Harris vs Jewell
Photo via Ryan Luttrell

Harris’ 2024 season is his first full workload as a starting running back since he was in high school. So far this season for S&T, Harris has run for 501 yards with six touchdowns. His first collegiate touchdown came against Delta State back on Sept. 7. 

“I’m getting my drive and confidence back,” Harris said. “After two years of not playing, it can take a toll on people mentally. I’m just glad God gave me the strength to persevere through it.”
AJ Harris
Photo via Michael Pierce

His father has a lot of experience in training local St. Louis athletes, specifically running backs. Harris had the opportunity of watch and training with elite prospects growing up next to his dad. 

“My dad runs a training business where he will train athletes,” Harris said. “At a young age, Kyren Williams and I trained a few times. My dad trained Ezekiel Elliot out of high school, so I got to watch him and train with him.”
AJ Harris
Photo via AJ Harris

Being surrounded by future professional athletes of that caliber is something that Harris said he was blessed with and helped prepare him for his future. 

His final game of the 2024 season is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Upper Iowa. Harris will look to end the season strong as he will get ready for the 2025 season. He will continue to train with his father in the offseason until the 2025 season begins. 

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