Flash is a versatile word. Merriam-Webster defines it in several ways: to appear suddenly, to move with great speed, or one that attracts notice. It also happens to be the perfect term to describe Oregon cornerback and return specialist Cliff Harris. One of the fastest players on the team, Harris has made a name with his grandiose personality, impregnable confidence and penchant for making jaw-dropping plays on the gridiron. Since becoming a starter halfway through this season, he has burst onto the national scene and several national award watch lists.
Fans adore him, coaches try to tame him, and other teams can’t stop him.
Oregon Daily Emerald: You have a lot of names: Cliff, Kash, Woo. Can you explain your nicknames?
Cliff Harris: Woo came from when I was younger. I was a hyperactive kid, always running around all excited, and when I ran past the old folks they’d be like “Woo!” Kash, that’s because the teammates say I’m money so they call me “Kash money.”
ODE: You were a highly ranked recruit in high school and were offered scholarships at Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Nebraska and USC. Why was Oregon your final choice?
CH: Man, everything about Oregon — the coaches, the players, the environment, how they have the love for the game. I needed to get out of Cali, I didn’t want to be no Trojan or no Bruin, but this is close to home still. I love green because money be green.
ODE: On your first day with the team you said: “My name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock shit down.” That quote has gotten you a lot of attention — some negative, some positive. What was the motivation for starting your career here with that?
CH: Just on the fly I tried to think of something before my time came up to talk, but I didn’t feel like myself with what I first thought to say. It seemed out of character so I just kept it real.
ODE: You have this personality that fans seem to love. People see you with a game face on, bobbing to the music in the stadium or just looking serious all of the time. Where does this swagger or confidence come from and how does it help you perform?
CH: It helps me on the field tremendously and in the world. You got to believe you can get the job done when nobody thinks you can get it done. It just plays a part in my everyday lifestyle.
ODE: Many people have talked about you as a guy who doesn’t conform to limitations. You play with an obvious fearlessness despite your size. Do you think about the fact that most of the guys you are out there on the field with have more than 50 pounds on you?
CH: Not at all, I don’t go out there with any mentality. I don’t think I’m going to beat everybody, and I don’t think anybody going to beat me. I believe in everything I do. I put everything I got into my craft with all my confidence.
ODE: What kind of playing time or role on the team did you see yourself having as a freshman?
CH: Man, we had a lot of really good guys. Through the injuries, coaches asked me to step up, so I stepped up to the plate. But as far as coming in, I didn’t think I would start. I came late in the summer, I wasn’t expecting to. I just wanted to start getting in the groove while I was sitting out.
ODE: People hold their breath when you get the ball on an interception, punt or kick return, expecting greatness. Do you feel like whenever you touch the ball the end zone is where you should be?
CH: Every time I am on the field I feel like I need to make the play, get in that end zone. Scoring points is the key to the game. I try to put as many points as I can on that board. Any time I touch that ball I’m trying to get to that end zone.
ODE: You played receiver in addition to defensive back in high school. You are grabbing a lot of interceptions this year. Do you feel like your history of catching passes before college helps you make those picks?
CH: Playing both sides in high school — yeah, that helped me out, I’ve been playing both ways my whole life. It is like you are getting the best of both worlds. You play DB, but you have a receiver mind-set knowing what it takes to beat a DB. I know what they are going to throw at me.
ODE: In college, football players seem to become more specialized. Guys that play both ways start playing one position. Typically offensive or defensive starters don’t play on special teams. You are making your name in a multitude of areas. Do you pride yourself on being a multi-faceted player?
CH: Well whatever is needed for the “W”. I am not the type of guy who wants four touchdowns and we lose the game. I want to win. I’m not a stat guy, I’m a win guy.
ODE: You almost were not cleared to play at Oregon by the NCAA after a dispute on your high-school campus that involved your brother and a campus police officer landed you in jail for felony assault. As you look back on it, do you regret involvement that altercation?
CH: Not at all, I feel like everything happens for a reason. If it didn’t happen, who knows where I would be. Do I take it back? I learned it then, which is better than learning later.
ODE: You have this talent for football and it has garnered you recognition and gotten you to this university. Where would you be right now without football?
CH: Without the game of football, I would probably be working a nine-to-five. I would be just trying to get bills paid.
ODE: You are from Fresno, Calif. You have a tattoo on your forearms that reads “Cali Boy.” Why do you represent California?
CH: ‘Cause ain’t no place like home. That’s really what made me and shaped me into the person I am today. It is kind of like I give all my thanks to that environment and home, I give it up to Cali. That’s why I had to get it tatted on me.
ODE: You are in the top 10 in the nation for interceptions and punt return yards. How does it feel to be near or at the top of these lists?
CH: It’s a good feeling to hear it, but at the same time I don’t take it for granted. Those are cool accolades to be acknowledged for, but I’m a winner, I just want to win.
ODE: As a football player, you are eligible for certain perks, including the Jaqua Center, gear from Nike, and access to athlete-only areas like the Casanova Center. Do you think these perks are justified and do you use them?
CH: As far as us having extra facilities, it’s a business move. The football team generates a lot of the school’s revenue and to make sure that stays up, you need to make sure that cash cow is still living and able to bring in the bacon. Most of the athletes aren’t 4.0 scholars and some guys need that help to make it here. I believe it’s needed.
ODE: Who is the most explosive player on the team?
CH: LaMichael James and Darron Thomas. They can create something out of nothing, easy.
ODE: Who would win in a footrace: you, LaMichael, Kenjon Barner or Lache Seastrunk?
CH: LaMichael. Everybody already know that, but it’d be a good matchup between Lache and (LaMichael). I know I the slowest out of that bunch though.
ODE: What player, past or present, have you learned from the most in your time at Oregon?
CH: Javes Lewis. He is one of the smartest guys that knows the game of football. He is a DB too, and when we be in meetings stud
ying film, he is always helping me out. When I first got here, he was the one who helped me learn the defensive playbook and get up to speed.
ODE: As an athlete here in Eugene, you get a lot of attention as a football player. Does the attention bother you or do you like it? And do you feel like people get to know the real Cliff Harris or do they just see you as the playmaker on the field?
CH: Ever since elementary school, I was a popular kid on campus. As far as popularity and fame, that’s old to me. Do people know the real Cliff Harris? No. I don’t be a social guy, I don’t be out, people don’t know me. But what you see on the field — that’s the real Cliff, I’m the same off the field as on the field.
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Cliff Harris keeps it real in Oregon secondary
Daily Emerald
November 15, 2010
Jack Hunter
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