Keenan Harris hit the edge against Josh Gregory and got pushed 15 yards backwards.
The freshman was outmatched by the then three-star offensive tackle, who signed with Cincinnati in the 2023 class, but that didn't discourage him. Harris, a St. Louis (Mo.) University High linebacker, got right back on the line against St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers College High, a team that finished 13-1 during the 2022 season.
"In that moment, he didn't back down," Junior Billikens defensive coordinator Jerry Stanfield said. "He didn't get frustrated or anything. He just came back and he just kept playing. ... I knew at that moment in time that this kid was special."
Harris made plays off his athleticism during his freshman season. He showed no fear against Christian Brothers College and St. Louis (Mo.) De Smet, two prominent regular-season foes.
"He would come up and just make some really physical, violent hits," Stanfield said.
Harris, who announced his commitment to Missouri over two years later, grew into a Rivals250 prospect in the Class of 2026. The four-star linebacker only showed that athleticism more in the following two seasons after his statement freshman campaign.
"What I've been hearing from a lot of schools, as well as Mizzou, is how the linebacker position has changed a little bit," Stanfield said. "They want guys that are more athletic, that they can move between the Will, the Mike and the Star position and just get that flexibility with that athleticism. And I think Keenan plugs and plays right into that."
Missouri coaches talked about that role with Harris, who found comfort in that system given to his positions within the SLUH defense the past three years. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Harris has shown versatility to never come off the field, being also able to cover receivers in the slot as well as running backs involved in the passing game.
Harris has trained with Stanfield inside and outside of school since eighth grade. He turned his raw skillset as a freshman into a more applied skill type for linebacker the past two years.
"He's a kid who could have played offense as well," Stanfield said. "But we saw him as more of a jack of all trades for us on defense."
Harris, the No. 3 recruit in Missouri, totaled 108 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks during his junior season while also contributing 328 yards and three touchdowns to the offense.
"His upside is huge," Stanfield said. "I don't think that he's even reached 50 or 60% of what he's capable of doing yet."
How Mizzou commit Keenan Harris brings versatility as hybrid defender
Missouri received its first Class of 2026 linebacker commitment from Rivals250 four-star Keenan Harris.
