Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Not Huskies’ ‘Afterburner’
Harris is NIU’s most experienced back to compete
Article by:
Steve Brown - Sports Reporter
• sbrown@northernstar.info
Call NIU running back A.J. Harris what you wish, just don’t call
him “The Afterburner.”
“That’s the worst nickname ever,” the 6-foot sophomore
joked.
Harris is used to playing in the shadows of All-American running back
Michael “The Burner” Turner, but he said he doesn’t mind
at all.
“Being behind Mike was probably better for me because I had someone
to look up to,” Harris said. “Still, I don’t look at
it as trying to match what Mike did.”
Harris played behind Turner in 2003 as fullback; he rushed for 272
yards. He is considered by some to be a front-runner in a group of NIU
running backs that running backs coach DeAndre Smith called the best
he’s ever coached.
“We’re not trying to replace a Mike Turner,” Smith said.
“We’re just looking for a first-team All-MAC back. A.J. does
have a lot of talent and hasn’t gotten to show it because of Mike.”
Harris’ advantage over his peers will be his experience, Smith
said. The Wheaton native has seen big-game playing time that other NIU
running backs have not. His playing time also gives him an edge on confidence,
Smith said.
“From a confidence standpoint, he’s done it,” Smith
said. “We feel comfortable because he’s played; because it’s
a different ball game when you’re out there against an Alabama.”
© 2004 Northern Star. All Rights Reserved.
