2028 ATH Marques Harris is still early in the recruiting process, but Syracuse already made a strong impression when he visited Central New York earlier in September.
The Baltimore (MD) Milford Mill Academy prospect was on hand for the Orange’s first ACC game of the season against Cal, and the trip gave him a close-up look at both the environment and the defense.
“The visit was great,” Harris said to The Juice Online. "The game was a great game and the atmosphere was so crazy. I loved it.”
Syracuse fell 21-18, but Harris came away impressed with what he saw on that side of the ball. The Orange limited the Golden Bears to fewer than 250 total yards and allowed just 14 points on defense, with the other Cal points coming on an interception.
“The defense was great,” Harris said. "I love the way they play.”
The visit also gave Harris time to connect with Syracuse’s staff in person, including defensive backs coach Perry Eliano. Harris said he spoke with the coaches after the game and spent time getting to know them better.
“Syracuse has a great squad with some great coaches,” Harris said. “After the game, I talked to all the coaches and chopped it up.”
That conversation included a look at Syracuse’s culture and how the program would help him grow into an ACC-caliber player. Harris and Eliano also checked in on each other and talked about how their seasons were going.
Harris already has offers from Tennessee, Maryland, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, along with Syracuse, making him one of the more heavily recruited players in his class.
On the field, he’s been busy too. Milford Mill Academy is 2-1 and coming off a 53-6 win over Perry Hall, and Harris said his team has its eyes on a bigger goal.
“My season is going good,” Harris said. “(We’re) on a run to win States, and I believe we can do that.”
Harris has played wide receiver and defensive back for the Millers, though he projects to defense in college. He isn’t locked into one spot in the secondary yet, but he believes his versatility gives him an edge.
"I’m a hybrid DB because I can blitz and cover,” Harris said. “That's what makes me different.
I’m just a DB that (can) cover. I get in the box, too.”
For now, Harris is keeping his recruitment open and taking his time. With several schools already involved, he said no single program has separated itself yet.
"All the schools, honestly,” Harris said when asked if any school in particular was standing out. “Everyone been showing me love."
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