Why Brian Kelly believes Denver Harris can fit with LSU football despite suspensions
BATON ROUGE - Texas A&M cornerback transfer Denver Harris arrived at LSU football with some baggage.
Before entering the portal this offseason, Harris, a rising sophomore, was suspended twice with the Aggies last year. He was first suspended ahead of Texas A&M's matchup against Miami because of a curfew violation and then for the final six games of the season following a locker room incident.
Despite those mistakes, LSU coach Brian Kelly still believes Harris can assimilate into LSU's culture of accountability.
"We felt with the culture in which we have put together here that he would make it here because the culture is really strong," Kelly said following Tuesday's spring practice. "And it's proven to me that he's done well, early on."
When Harris was in the portal, Kelly says LSU did its research on him and that many people spoke on his behalf. Harris also did multiple interviews with Kelly and defensive coordinator Matt House before any final decision was made.
"This was not a decision that we just said 'You know, here's a great player,' he had to fit," Kelly said. "We did our due diligence in terms of his background."
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If Harris can stay on task, the former five-star signee is expected to be a major boost to LSU's secondary this season, as the Tigers also added Ohio State transfer JK Johnson, Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut and Southeastern transfer Zy Alexander from the portal.
Besides his belief in LSU's culture, Kelly also said that Harris knows his opportunity at LSU is his last chance of playing SEC football.
"He has no choice. He has to make it," Kelly said.
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football: Brian Kelly on Denver Harris transferring from Texas A&M
