The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Gaston's Football Dream Stays Alive At UAB
9/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Irvine
www.uabsports.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The twisting tale of Harris Gaston's journey toward one more college football season began about seven months ago at Jacksonville State. It included appearances in fall camps at Jacksonville State and UAB, a job offer nearly impossible to refuse and the reluctance to quit chasing a NFL dream.
In a way, the journey finally ended on Friday night in a Hoover hotel when UAB Bill Clark informed him that, for the second time, the NCAA granted him a sixth season of eligibility. On Saturday morning, he began a new chapter with new teammates and a new journey as the starting middle linebacker for UAB in the Blazers season-opening 48-10 victory over Troy at Legion Field.
"When they gave me the good news that my waiver got granted, it hit me then," the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Gaston said. "I was like `Man, I'm playing tomorrow.' It was huge. It's a `Wow' feeling."
Gaston's first game with UAB included four tackles, with one for loss, and a whole lot of fun.
"It just felt really good to be out there and be part of this team," Gaston said.
Gaston, a Birmingham native, began his college football career at Auburn in 2009, following a sterling prep career at Bessemer Academy. He had 226 tackles his final two high school seasons and caught 43 passes for 860 yards with 17 touchdowns as a senior. He was ranked as the nation's 31st middle linebacker by Scout.com, No. 16 overall on the Alabama Postseason Top 40 by Rivals.com and was selected as the AISA Back of the Year as a senior.
Things didn't quite go as planned at Auburn but he did spend three seasons in the Auburn program and played in games in two of those seasons. He played four games in 2009 before an injury ended his season and participated in nine games during Auburn's national championship season the following year. He was credited with a solo tackle and quarterback hurry in the SEC Championship Game win over South Carolina.
Gaston was with the team in 2011 but didn't play and walked away from football the following season when his brother, Terrance, died of a heart attack.
"He was my older brother, actually 23 years old, which is how old I am now, when he passed away," Gaston said. "My brother was basically a part of me. He came to all my football games, he always supported me. We had a close relationship and a strong bond. Whatever I do out here, I do for my family as well as doing it for my brother."
Gaston finished requirements for his Sociology degree during the year away from football but was ready to return to the field. He contemplated playing for the incoming head coach Gus Malzahn but chose instead to transfer to Bill Clark's Jacksonville State program. Gaston quickly earned a starting spot on now-defensive coordinator Duwan Walker's defense and contributed 57 tackles, three sacks, six quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and forced fumble to a team that advanced to the FCS quarterfinals.
Once the season ended, he began his quest to secure a sixth season of eligibility. While he waited, Gaston participated in spring work with the Gamecocks and finished work on a Master's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice last spring. He was granted the extra season and began fall camp with the Gamecocks in early August. But plans changed when he received a job opportunity with Homeland Security. He planned on beginning a new chapter in his life.
"I was only away from football for a few days and I started to miss it again," Gaston said. "It was tough (to turn down the job) but me and my dad, we're close, he's been through it all, so it helps to listen when he's telling you to do something. He said `You can always go to work, don't give up football yet.'"
Gaston said he enrolled in UAB's graduate Sociology program before contacting Clark about the possibility of joining the program. Gaston joined the team midway through camp and went to work on getting ready while waiting on the waiver. It didn't take long for him to impress his new teammates.
"Harris is a great guy and he's a big, physical linebacker," said junior linebacker Jake Ganus. "He showed up, starting practicing with us and we immediately knew he was going to be a ball player. And he's proven to be a ball player. Everywhere he's been, he's been great. To have him line up next to me is nice. It takes a lot of pressure off me because he's making plays, he's taking on blocks."
Gaston still wasn't sure if he would play but was committed to be part of the team.
"Even though it was up to the NCAA, I still came out here every day and played like I was supposed to play," Gaston said. "If they said No, I'd still be out here as part of the team."
Obviously, his role will be significant now that he is eligible. He still wants to chase the NFL dream after this season and plans on eventually working with "a government agency - Homeland Security, FBI, something of that nature."
Right now, though, his days are spent working on his second Master's Degree and his first athletic love.
"Everything is kind of redundant for me," Gaston said. "This is my sixth year of school, five years playing ball. It's what I know, it's a way of life for me. I do my schoolwork, I come here and go to practice, watch film. It's a grind, it's a tough thing to do as the season progresses. Once you get used to it, that's just what you know."
