by Lauren Wilson
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| Paul Harris |
February 1, 2010 - On a week day afternoon, you can find Freshman Paul Harris honing his skills at Northwestern State University’s practice field. His charismatic attitude carries through the phone as I ask him for a few minutes away from his daily routine. “Yes, ma’am,” he politely replies and I can tell that this southern star is a gem in the NSU football program. Harris, a Baton Rouge native, cultivated his skills for years before being recruited from Tara High School as an award winning quarterback. He played for the All-Baton Rouge Advocate Metro Team as a senior, was the unanimous District 7-4A MVP, and also a finalist for the Warrick Dunn Award all during high school. He stays humble after all his accomplishments, however, and has great respect for his coaches and teammates.
Harris is not difficult to talk to. He laughs when he speaks about his team. It’s a gesture that isn’t rude, but the beginning of a memory he has of his first year playing college ball. He’s confident without being cocky when he talks about his skills and undertakings. He is an immediately friendly person. His conviction for his team is avid and enthusiastic. Harris has a thirst for learning his craft. He speaks about football and NSU like they are his family.
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| Brant Legendre |
When first speaking with Brant Legendre, fullback for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, I really gained a sense of what kind of players make up their team. Recruited from Parkview Baptist high school in Baton Rouge, Legendre speaks of his team with graciousness and humility about his teammates and coaches. He believes in his NSU team. “There are so many playmakers,” says Legendre, “there isn’t one guy that will change the game.” He has no stars in his eyes. Legendre only looks towards the future possibility of winning the conference title next year and the hard work that will take them there.
“[College practices] are different than high school,” Legendre continues. “You don’t have just one or two players who make the plays. Everyone is a playmaker and you have to watch out for everyone.” His answers to each question come from a grateful place. He admires his team mates who push him to be the best and his coaches who are always there to teach him the skills necessary on and off the field. “Coach (head coach) is great. He is a godly man. I love that. He knows what’s best.”
Paul Harris and Brant Legendre share their experience as freshman college football athletes for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.
Q: How do you like Natchitoches?
Harris: It’s a small town and quiet. There’s a good vibe here.
Legendre: I like it. It’s far enough away, but not so far that you can’t go home.
Q: Why did you choose to go to NSU?
Harris: Well, I had two offers from Southeastern University in Hammond and Northwestern State University. I felt I could start my own beginning here. I felt good things about the team and school. It’s a nice town.
Legendre: I actually get to play here and I’m not just a number. And, the class sizes are smaller, so I get to know my teacher better.
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| Paul Harris |
Q: What position do you play?
Harris: Quarterback.
Legendre: Fullback.
Q: Where did you play football in high school?
Harris: Tara high school in Baton Rouge.
Legendre: Parkview Baptist high school in Baton Rouge.
Q: How was the recruitment process for you? It had to be interesting.
Harris: Yes ma’am. I always wanted to play college ball. I’ve been playing football since I was four or five years old. It was my goal. So, when I talked to both schools I felt great about it.
Legendre: It was great. The coaches came to see me play at Parkview in January. We talked for awhile then I came to visit the campus and signed the same day.
Q: How do your parents feel about you playing football for Northwestern?
Harris: They’re happy and really proud of me. They always supported me playing football growing up.
Legendre: Everyone really likes it here.
Q: How do you like your coaches?
Harris: They’re great. My favorite coaches so far since I’ve been playing. They are intense and harder. They believe in honesty and respect. Sometimes we have our differences, but we work it out. I can’t say enough about them. They’re great guys.
Legendre: I like them. They know what they’re doing. The head coach is a godly man, which I love. He really knows what’s best for the team.
Q: What do you think for your NSU team mates?
Harris: They’re great. It’s easy to say we didn’t win this season, but the team has character and is always trying to get better. I just respect everyone because they try so hard.
Legendre: Everyone plays as a team and watches each other. You have to play hard to keep up with them. They’re all good guys.
Q: How do your practices at NSU compare to your past high school practices?
Harris: Oh, it doesn’t compare. The hours I put in now are 40 to 45 hours a week and it’s strictly business on the practice field. High school only has four or five good players on a team. I’m always on my ‘A’ game now because there are so many good players.
Legendre: They’re different. They’re harder and push you a lot more. It’s enjoyable because it makes you better and everyone is pushing everyone. There’s not just one playmaker on a college team and you have to look out for everyone so that makes better players.
That must be a lot of pressure on you to be the best.
Harris: Yes ma’am, but it makes you a better player.
Legendre: Yes ma’am. It makes you work harder and push yourself.
Q: What is your plan for next year with the team?
Harris: Well, I started 5 games last year and I’m still learning. The games came from the last drive and I have to learn from my experiences on the field. There’s a lot of young talent on the team and I think we are all learning for next year.
Legendre: Just to work harder. We are all learning from what we did this past season. We’re always shooting for the conference title so we’re just trying to stay prepared. Everyone is doing their job and working hard.
Q: What hurt the team this past season?
Harris: I don’t know. There were a lot of penalties and turnovers. It’s hard to overcome something like that.
Legendre: We struggled this past season. It’s a young team with a lot of talent and we’re just going to work harder and learn from last year.
Q: Is there someone you your team that you rely on to make the plays?
Harris: I always look for Aldridge. He’s a tight end and my “go to guy.” I like the way he plays. He plays with swagger.
Legendre: No, it’s about the team. There are so many playmakers that no one guy can do it alone. I rely on everyone.
Q: How are you doing in college?
Harris: Well, I learned a lot this past semester. I’m putting forth the effort and trying to keep up with the homework. I try not to miss class.
Legendre: Good. Our coaches help us out with everything so they keep us on track. Because my class sizes are small, I also get to know my teachers better.
Q: Are you able to balance out your school work and football?
Harris: Yes, especially during off season.
Legendre: Yes. I try to.
Q: What do you usually do off the field?
Harris: I don’t really go out. My roommate and I just chill around our apartment.
Legendre: We hang out at our apartment and watch football games. There are so many people from all over that we just try to get to know each other.
Q: So, everyone is talking about the Saints. Are you a fan?
Harris: Yes ma’am. My brother and I keep talking trash to each other about it. I’m a Brett Farve fan. Either way I felt I’d win this week.
Legendre: Yeah, we have some guys from Dallas so we have this Saints versus Dallas thing. It’s fun.
Well, that sounds fun.
Harris: Yeah, but I won’t be able to talk trash this weekend because I have a recruitment thing this weekend.
Legendre: Yes ma’am. We have bonded so much just by hanging out. They’re really great guys.
To get more information about these two players visit the Northwestern State University athletics website at www.nsudemons.com.
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