Jahzion Harris beginning integration process with Rutgers football

Rutgers football has a new defensive end in Jahzion Harris.

Rutgers football landed a significant transfer this week with the addition of defensive end Jahzion Harris. Last week, the redshirt freshman entered the transfer portal after one season at Texas A&M.

Last season in two games for Texas A&M, Harris had four tackles and a sack. He is a former four-star recruit from Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Late last week, RutgersWire reported, citing sources, that Harris was set to join the program.

Harris is certainly here and becomes an intriguing late addition to the team as training camp opened this week. He was the second-best player in New York in the class of 2021 as well as the No. 208 recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite.

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano and the program are waiting for word on Harris’ hardship waiver. If granted, it would make him eligible immediately.

[lawrence-related id=17544]

For a program that needs edge rushers, it could be a big piece to the Rutgers defense.

“Well, you know, I have a long history with Jahzion. I’ve known him since he was 14-years old,” Schiano told reporters on Wednesday.

“He left A&M in the portal and we took advantage of that opportunity. You know, he’s got to learn our ways and he’s got to get involved in our weight training and conditioning and he missed all that, right? So he’s way behind, but he’s just going to work at it. You know, I’m excited to have him here.”

Harris comes to the program late and on the cusp of training camp. It is certainly going to take time for Harris to acclimate to the program and learn the defense.

[lawrence-related id=17556]

Schiano sounded a bit of caution when it came to expectations for integrating Harris into the team. Right now, Harris is simply settling into his new routine.

“It’s too early, you’re right he got here yesterday at like one o’clock,” Schiano said. “So, I saw him eat well at dinner so that was the first step. He was in bed check so all those are good.”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3gzhz7qrm49z6q player_id=none image=https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]