21-year-old American of Belizean parentage Gilbert Harris Jr. is on vacation in Belize, visiting with his grandmother Georgia Wagner who lives in the King's Park area. But even though he's on vacation, Gilbert isn't getting much relaxation. In fact, you might say the young man who plays college football at Arizona University is going through the most stressful month of his life. That's because Gilbert is preparing for the NFL draft. That's right, this son of two Belizean parents, Gilbert and Natalie Harris is ranked as one of the top three draft prospects at his position, fullback. And though he's highly touted, the competition is fierce, and today, he told us, he's just being real about his chances, real hopeful, that is.
Gilbert Harris Jr.,
"I definitely think I got a good shot. I had the all-star game in January and also had the game in Indianapolis where they only invite the top 200 to 300 players in the country so I definitely got a good chance and did a good job in Indianapolis to boost my self up in front of maybe some of the other prospects. My goal is definitely to get drafted as high as I can. If I am to get into that first round, that would be good but my main goal is to just hear my name called on draft day because a lot of players don't get to experience that so if I could just get the chance to hear my name called, that would be something I would be something I'd be proud of."
Jules Vasquez,
Are you confident and realistic about your chances of making it as a pro-NFL player?
Gilbert Harris Jr.,
"Yes I am definitely confident in my ability. I know what I can do, I've played this game for so many years, since I was little so I am definitely confident in what I can do and I got a lot of people in my corner supporting me and it think I got a good chance of making it."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you feel that you carry the Belizean flag in some way?
Gilbert Harris Jr.,
"I definitely feel like I am carrying the Belizean flag. Both my parents, like I said, are from Belize and I have a lot of ties to Belize and just to be able to make it to the next level, there's a lot of people out here that support me and have a lot of faith in me so I definitely don't want to disappoint the people that are close to me."
Jules Vasquez,
How much has being the child of immigrants help you in your career because they say immigrants always know they have to work harder, nothing is owed to them?
Gilbert Harris Jr.,
"That has definitely helped me because a lot of players today, they kind of get ahead of themselves and get kind of big headed when they accomplish something but growing up in my family I was taught you always have to work for everything and just stay humble and don't get too ahead of yourself. Nothing comes easy so I think that is something that definitely helped me growing up."
Jules Vasquez,
What advice do you have for kids seeing this?
Gilbert Harris Jr.,
"That you have to work hard because nothing comes easy and I will also say just stay humble. If you stay humble and work hard, I think things will definitely go your way if you just be patient and just stay the course."
The NFL draft is on April 29th and 30th. As a senior at Arizona University, the 6' 1", 215 pound fullback performed well in the scouting exhibitions known as draft combines. His younger brother, a high school senior in San Antonio is also a promising college prospect.
