FAYETTEVILLE — Cole Harris’ role in Fayetteville’s passing game is not one dimensional.
Labeling him as one specific type of wideout is not in the plans, and never has been. So far this year, the senior Purple’Dog has shown that his versatility is what makes him so important to the team’s success.
Profile
COLE HARRIS
School: Fayetteville
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Senior
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Notable: Through three games, has 15 receptions for 280 yards. ... Played both offense and defense as a junior and is expected to play both ways for the Bulldogs once conference play begins.
“Last year he would have been in the mix, but started out playing on defense, then ended up getting hurt,” Bulldogs offensive coordinator Zak Clark said. “And really for the stretch run he kind of came in and was kind of our utility player, so we knew he was going to be the guy this year.
“But what you can do with Cole is he is real versatile. He’s a guy we’ve had to move around in a lot of different personnel groups. So he’s a smart kid, he’s athletic and we can move him around a whole lot. He does have some experience and he’s real talented and Austin (Allen) has a lot of confidence in him.”
With Fayetteville losing a large chunk of its wide receiver corps to graduation, Harris knew his role would have to increase this year. Through three games, the 6-foot, 175-pound senior has handled the extra duties. With 15 catches for 280 yards, Harris has emerged as one of the top wideouts in the 7A/6A-West Conference.
“We’re still coming together,” Harris said. “There’s still some missing pieces, but we’ve really gotten it together, especially since day one and hopefully we’ll continue with that same progress.”
Harris, along with junior Jordan Dennis, have established themselves as Fayetteville’s top targets in a passing game that ranks atop the 7A/6A-West Conference heading into league play. For Harris, it’s been an ability to serve both as the Bulldogs’ home run threat — as shown by a 60-yard reception in last week — and as a short-yardage receiver which have helped him earn the trust of his quarterback.
“I’d say with the routes they call on me to do, I’m more of a versatile-type receiver,” Harris said. “I can go deep, but I also have some short routes that I can do.
“I have big confidence in Austin that he can put the ball where it needs to be and I think he has confidence in me as well.”
Harris’ role isn’t expected to be limited to just offense, however, as Fayetteville is set to begin conference play this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Van Buren at Harmon Field. With the Bulldogs battling a lack of depth and inexperience in the secondary Harris is also expected to see time on defense as well, when needed.
“He’s going to have to play some defense as well and he’s going to have to be an iron man,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “He’s just going to have to suck it up and do it. He’s in on all the offensive packages so we do have to kind of monitor and watch. We can’t just put him full out both ways. But I do feel like as the season goes on he can give us 15 to 20 snaps on defense.”
For Harris, helping the team out on either side of the ball is no problem. As long as the end result is a win, this Purple’Dog is more than happy to spread his versatility wherever the team needs it.
“He’s just a good kid. He’s quiet, he goes to work and the other kids like him,” Clark said. “He’s a fun kid to coach and he’s fun to have for us because there’s a whole lot we can do with him.”