Florida Speedster

WSU wide receiver Travell Harris is known throughout the Pac-12 for his speed, agility and swagger on the field. Many experiences along the way have shaped him into a phenomenal athlete.
Harris' favorite experience is his 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against Eastern Washington University in 2018. It was an iconic play for WSU football and Harris' career.

Double threat

Harris attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. Jesuit is an all-male, private catholic school that has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Not only did he dominate in football at JHS, but he set Jesuit High School's 100-meter dash record with a time of 10.7 seconds his junior year and earned first-team all-country honors in track. His nickname, "Speedster," has stuck with him.

"I ran track to keep my speed and stay in shape for football. Football was always my first priority," he said.

Harris was born in Tampa and grew up watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his family members, who share a love for football.

The grind

Jesuit is a prestigious school where faculty and students take pride in their academics and their college preparatory curriculum. Harris had a lot to juggle as a two-sport varsity athlete. After becoming academically ineligible his sophomore year, he knew he had to push himself to overcome the roadblock. His dream of playing college football depended on it.

"I worked with a tutor every day, always after school and before practice," he said.

Harris' dedication to academics soon paid off. He achieved eligibility after his sophomore year and pushed himself to train even harder for football. His speed and agility caught the attention of many college recruiters, including Derek Sage, then a WSU outside receivers coach and former WSU head coach Mike Leach.

A year after receiving an offer from WSU in 2016, Harris flew from his sunny hometown to Pullman. The rolling hills of the Palouse welcomed Harris with over a foot of powdered snow.

"I grew up in Florida so that was my first time seeing snow. It was cool to see something different," he said.

Fun 'n' games

While Harris is all business on the football field, he likes to have fun with his teammates and play videogames. Videogames such as Madden and 2K are among his favorites. In the football videogame Madden, he always plays as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to represent his hometown. His skills in videogames do not begin to compare to his true talent, ping pong.

"I'm really good at ping pong. That's something I could really beat anyone at," he said.

Family man

Harris' family plays a big part in his success as a collegiate athlete and they were supportive during his recruiting process. Harris received many scholarship offers, but his family never pushed him in a particular direction and he knew it was his decision to make.

Harris grew up practicing with and watching his three older brothers play football. His father played defense at Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida.

"At my house back home, we all watch the Bucs. It's all football all the time," he said.

WSU alumni pride themselves on their commitment to the school and each other. That was a major factor in Harris's choice of WSU over many others.

"The family atmosphere was really important to me. Once a Coug, Always a Coug," he said.