By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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For all that he does on the field, Anthony Harris does even more in his mind.

Virginia’s Anthony Harris led the nation in interceptions last season with eight. He earned All-American honors from Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated and others and, fresh off picks in five consecutive games at one point last fall, enters August as a leading contender for numerous national awards. Harris stands 6’1”, 190 pounds, with long arms and large hands. His best attribute, however, is his perspective.

For all that he does on the field, Harris does even more in his mind.

x9cI believe I made some of those interceptions in my preparation earlier in the week,” Harris nodded. “Whether it was watching film, studying team’s top formations or routes, for me it was all about knowing the defense, knowing what we were doing, knowing where everyone around me was, the timing of the defensive line up front, knowing the offense, their favorite routes in certain situations, down and distance and knowing the personnel.”

Interceptions come where education meets execution. Harris makes a concerted effort to put in that work, to pay his dues away from the spotlight. He spends countless hours in film review each week, looking for the slightest of hints to hone in his instincts. Analysis isn’t just limited to quarterbacks and wide receivers, but circumstances as well. Much like success in the classroom, success, for a defensive back, starts with studying.

“Recognizing the formation, recognizing the route and then just reading the quarterback and going to make a play,” Harris continued. “And sometimes youll just be in the right spot.x9d

Defensive back, above all other positions, is one where mind control is as important as body control. Those in the secondary get beat. Maintaining the drive to be aggressive is critical, oftentimes separating the good from the great. The confidence that comes with proper down-time research is the ultimate bounce-back boost. Once again, the gap between maybe and must is bridged between the ears.

Sometimes turnovers are forced days in advance. Their effects are far more startling. A Harris interception late in the fourth quarter of the 2013 season opener against BYU, combined with an earlier blocked punt, helped secure the Cavaliers one of their most prominent victories in recent years. Running back Kevin Parks, on the very next play following the pick, marched in for the game-winning touchdown in a 19-16 win.

x9cI would say the BYU interception was, for me, probably the most memorable one. Just the impact that it had on the game. I made the interception, pitched it to a guy, it puts the offense in a good position to score and we go up and win that game,” Harris concluded. “Whether its the most spectacular one or not, it had the biggest impact and led to a win, so for me it was the best one.”

One of college football’s top defenders, Harris brings elite ball-hawking ability to the back end of the Virginia defense. He makes plays like few before him. Quite diligently, he sees them first.