It’s almost been a year since 3-star 2016 Offensive Guard Harrison Gee (6’3″/276) committed to play college football at NC State (July 25th, 2014). After having nearly a year to mull over the decision that he made, even though he had shown some interest in Wake Forest & Clemson, in his mind there really was no competition.
“When they called and offered me in February, it really was a dream come true,” Gee said. “I really knew right then. I knew all along that State was where my heart was. It’s where I wanted to be. When it came to the total experience of facilities, coaches and players…it wasn’t even close.”
Gee, who plays for Walter M Williams High School in Burlington, North Carolina, grew up an NC State fan and dreamt of playing in Carter-Finley Stadium.
“I’ve been a fan of NC State my entire life. I’ve been going to games since as early as I can remember,” Gee said. “I remember playing out in the front yard as a kid, pretending it was Carter-Finley Stadium, and at it was the big game.”
Some players think there is more pressure on them if they commit early, whether that is in the form of expectations from coaches and teammates, or the intensity in which your opponents play against you. Then you have players like Gee, who see the other side of the coin.
“For me all the pressure came off after I committed. It was a relief,” said Gee. “I could just go out there and have fun with my teammates and play football.”
While Gee set numerous goals this offseason in the weight room, he says he has hit those, and the most important thing he is working on is his leadership.
“My main goal is to become closer to my teammates and to become a more of a vocal leader,” said Gee. “I’ve primarily been a lead-by-example guy, but as a Senior this year, I want and need to grow as a vocal leader.”
Coaches are the ones that get the credit for recruiting players, but the invisible recruiters are the committed players. As a committed player, Gee sees recruiting as being a part of his responsibility.
“At all of the camps, you rub shoulders with all of the best talent in the state. You talk about what you want and the possibilities of playing together,” Gee said. “Between the 7 of us at this point, I doubt there is a player in the state that we haven’t pitched playing with us at NC State. It’s our job.”
