10/15/03

Two-Minute Drill: Aaron Harris

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How has your preparation differed in practice now that your playing time has increased each week knowing that you play an important role on the defense?
"It is more important now that I have the preparation to play. Coming into practice, I'm just basically watching a little bit more film and preparing myself a little bit more for practice now that I'm scheduled to play each week."

After watching Iowa State on film, what are some of the things the defense needs to key on?
"We need to key in on their quarterback. He's a young guy, and he's pretty good. We just need to do all of our operations and all the things that we do well. Basically, it comes down to the simple fact that we need to do what we do well and everything will take care of itself."

During the Kansas State game, you came in the game when Brian Robison was injured. What is the mentality like on the sideline knowing you could go into the game at any point?
"Our coaches always tell us that we are one step away from playing on every down. The coaches prepare us well each week and we go two-deep in practice everyday and that's how we prepare for situations like that. Our whole team is ready to play at any point and anyone can step in and play if needed."

How has coach Reese helped you develop as a linebacker?
"Coach Reese is a really, really good coach. He has helped me learn how to be more physical as a linebacker, because coming out of high school, I wasn't that physical. He's been able to convince me that at the collegiate level, linebackers are supposed to be very physical and fill holes. He's taught me that it is also more of a mental game now, rather than just being an athlete out there."

Does coach Reese compare to any coaches you've had in the past?
"He's a lot more strict on me than some of the other coaches I've had. He has to be, because I didn't receive all the coaching I needed. In high school, I wasn't surrounded by outstanding players like I am here at Texas. Here, everybody is good, so he can coach everyone the same, instead of having to coach one player more than another."

What are some of the things you like to do off the field?
"I like to hang out and play video games."

Who do you play video games with on the team the most?
"I play against Mike Williams and I usually beat him."

What do you like about Austin and the campus?
"I like the campus because of the atmosphere and everyone is really nice. You get to see different people all the time that you don't usually get a chance to meet. When I go out, I like to hang out with my friends and go to the movies or something. Austin has a lot of nice movie theaters around."

What's something that you like to do off the field that your teammates might not know about?
"I like to take pictures. Photography is something that I might be looking to get into more. Right now, I'm not that serious with it, but I have a nice little camera I like. It's not like one of the real expensive ones, but it's nice and I like it."

If you could play any other sport at UT, which sport would you play?
"I'd play baseball. I played in high school and I was pretty good. I stopped playing my sophomore year, because I really didn't like my coach and I wanted to concentrate on football. I think I could have progressed a little further, but I decided on football."