Miami DB to narrow list this summer

Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington cornerback Brandon Harris will narrow his list of college choices during the summer. In this exclusive interview with Rivals.com, the 5-foot-10, 173-pounder talked about several schools that will likely make the cut and also what he's looking for in a college program.

"Really, I haven't sat down with my parents and coaches and talked about narrowing it down," Harris said. "I hope by the summer I have it narrowed down pretty good."

There are five schools that Harris has his eye on that he believes will make his list of finalists.

"I definitely like Miami (Fla.), Rutgers, Florida, Ohio State and West Virginia to make the list," Harris said.

The atmosphere surrounding the hometown Hurricanes has Harris excited.

"It's just a very good program in terms of atmosphere," Harris said. "I've had a chance to go watch them practice several times and It's very intense there and the team really gets up and challenges each other. It's all about teammates challenging each other and making each other better. They challenge each other during practice and I like that."

Harris camped at Rutgers last summer and enjoyed his time there.

"They don't mind coming down and taking a trip to South Florida to come and get some of the top talent," Harris said. "They like to take chances and come after people. When I went up for their camp last summer, I had the chance to meet with (Rutgers head coach) Greg Schiano and his staff. They have a gorgeous campus. It's real nice. The coaching staff there is made up of very friendly people. They care about you not only as a football player, but as a person and I like that."

Florida's success both on and off the field has impressed Harris.

"The Gators have to be doing something right they just won the national championship," Harris said. "They also are getting a lot of top recruits coming in and that will allow the program to sustain itself. I took and unofficial visit up there and had the chance to see all of the facilities and things like that up there and it's all real nice."

While he has not yet been to Columbus, Harris got plenty of looks at Ohio State on television last fall.

"I don't really know too much inside about the program but I do as far as coaches and exciting play," he said. "The coaching staff is good and their players are always making big plays on the field."

Harris sees some of the same traits in West Virginia that he does in Ohio State.

"They are another exciting program to watch," he said. "They are explosive on offense and they play great defense as well. They can hurt you in different ways. I've heard some great things about the campus and the coaching staff. I've just heard that the coaching staff is made up of great people that care about you academically."

Academics will be important for Harris.

"The first thing on my checklist would be if they offer my major, Criminal Justice," Harris said. "I would have to have that on my checklist. The locations is important, too. Not if it's far away, but if it is a comfortable place for me to live in for four years. Strength of schedule also important to me because I want to play good competition so I can get noticed. Also the depth chart will be important because I want to compete for a starting position my first year."

Harris was one of the top defensive backs at the Miami NIKE Camp in April and had five interceptions during his junior year. Auburn, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Wisconsin all have offered in addition to the five previously-mentioned programs.