Todd Harris’s decision didn’t involve any outside pressure.
The four-star safety officially signed to LSU in front of a packed gymnasium Wednesday at Plaquemine High School.
The rise of social media and the interaction between fans and recruits can become invasive to some high schoolers, especially when a recruit spurns an in-state school because they want to play out-of-state.
Harris said he spoke heavily with his parents about where he would spend his next three to four years of school, but the choice was ultimately his.
“This is the place I wanted to go,” Harris said about signing with LSU. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m just ready to get to work and get to LSU.”
Harris considered signing with Alabama, but the tradition of “DBU” swayed Harris to stay within the state.
Another deciding factor for Harris was being able to play just 18 miles away from his high school.
“I was feeling Alabama a lot,” Harris said, “But I just wanted to stay close to home, and LSU is known for putting DB’s in the league.”
The consensus four-star recruit was heavily sought after, holding offers from Arizona State, TCU, Georgia and others.
Despite the change from former LSU coach Les Miles to coach Ed Orgeron, Harris is ready to work with the new coaching staff.
“They’ve got a new staff on deck,” Harris said. “Coach O is a great coach. A lot of energy. I talked to him before I committed this morning. He congratulated me on being a Tiger. I’m looking forward to new things and being very successful.”
His commitment adds to a talented recruiting class that is currently ranked seventh by 247sports.com.
Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond also played a role in courting the 6-foot, 180-pound safety. Harris said he liked Raymond’s “straightforward approach.”
“It was basically, ‘Man, you gotta come in and put in that work,’” Harris said. “I mean, that’s how it was. He wasn’t setting up my dreams. It was a business.”
Harris said the coaching staff views him at safety and at the nickel position. The Plaquemine native joins five-star safety JaCoby Stevens, four-star safety Grant Delpit and four-star cornerback Kary Vincent as defensive backs in the 2017 class.
“I feel very, very good,” Harris said. “Just for the fact that I was at the Under Armour Game and we were all on the same team, we were cool before that, but our bond struck after that.”
“We got to hang out and get to know each other a little bit better, and I’d just love to play with these dudes at the next level.”
Being so close to LSU, Harris said he plans to work out at LSU and get to know his new teammates.

Gallery • 1 Photos

Kelly McDuff

Third All-American safety Todd Harris chooses LSU over Alabama, TCU and Arizona State on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at Plaquemine High School.