When Michaelee Harris was a freshman at Norland, he had big dreams of one day becoming a star on the football field. Most youngsters do. But if you would have told him that the very next year, he would be part of a national championship team, he would have laughed and told you to keep moving on down the line.

For a talented athlete who grew up on the competitive fields of the North Dade Optimist, Harris learned the sport of football from playing with and competing against the best. He was taught by successful youth coaches the right way to play the game.

While his proving ground early in his career was against teams from Bunche Park, Scott Lake, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Lauderdale Lakes and other youth powers, his real education came as a 10th grader at Northwestern.

While he was a role player on one of Miami-Dade's most talented teams ever, Harris had the chance to watch, learn and play a little bit on a team stacked at the receiver position. But it was in those big games that this gifted athlete learned how to compete in pressure situations.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

From watching Aldarius Johnson break tackles and using his large frame to create positives, to see Tommy Streeter coming up with big catch after big catch, to see Kendal Thompkins jet into the end zone with a pass, Harris had a front row in a classroom filled with playmakers.

''It was exciting,'' Harris said. ``What it did was get me ready for last year when everyone left for college, and this year, when I am looked at as the player with the abilities to make things happen.''

Like those before him, Harris left little doubt last year that he had the same gift that vaulted his teammates into the spotlight at the next level, and as he helped to lead the Bulls to an impressive third consecutive 6A state championship appearance, it was evident that this 6-1, 175-pounder was going to leave the same mark.

Watching Johnson, Streeter and Thompkins, Harris picked up the essentials to be a great prospect. He watched them in practice, how they carried themselves in school and in games. He also followed the recruiting process, knowing full well that his time would come to be in that same situation.

''What I did during my sophomore year was to take a little something from all those guys,'' Harris said. ``I watched how tough Aldarius was, making himself nearly impossible to cover. I saw the way Tommy got up for the big games like in Dallas and in the state championship game against Orlando Boone. I also saw the way Kendal became a game breaker.''

Harris made such an impact last year during his junior year that many were talking about his future midway through he season. That was something that had college coaches watching early on, way before recruiting services had heard much about him.

''I caught a touchdown as a sophomore against American,'' Harris recalled. ``But last year, I knew it would be my chance to make a difference. Nobody really knew much about me, which really worked out to my advantage.''

By the end of the year, he had vaulted himself into the spotlight, and colleges began to keep a close eye on his progress.

From the University of Miami to UCF, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, the offers started to roll in. Programs such as Alabama, Texas, SC, Florida, FSU, Oklahoma and Georgia were interested as well.

''I have always been a UM fan,'' Harris said. ``I would be kidding you if I didn't say that the Hurricanes weren't my top choice. It would be a dream to play at home, with people I know, staying close to family.''

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