UMass and star running back Drew Harris part ways
UMass will start the season without what was supposed to be one of its top offensive weapons.
Coach Mark Whipple announced Monday that running back Drew Harris, a transfer from ASA College in New York, has left the program basically because the two entities couldn’t get along.
"He's gone. He left. It just wasn't a good fit," Whipple said. "Personally, he was a good kid, but it just wasn't a good fit for the program.
"We've got too many other issues to worry about things I can't control.”
Whipple didn’t offer much more than that and didn’t know where Harris was headed next.
Harris was a prized four-star recruit out of Downington East High in Exton, Pa., and had originally committed to Virginia Tech. He also had offers from schools such as Georgia, Miami, Michigan State, Penn State and South Carolina. But academic issues arose when Harris didn't get proper credits from a course at Downington East and he was advised to make up the credit at Fork Union Military Academy. However, the NCAA Clearinghouse flagged Harris’ transcript and said the credits wouldn’t transfer and declared him academically ineligible.
Harris was added to the UMass roster in July and was declared the most highly-touted recruit to ever come to UMass. He rushed for 4,977 career yards at Downingtown before tearing his left ACL four games into his senior season.
With Harris gone, Whipple said a group of four running backs, led by Jamal Wilson, would compete for playing time.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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