Kiontre Harris embraces growth on and off the field

FRESNO, Calif. - Early on in his career, Kiontre Harris wasn't sure he wanted to play football anymore.

After his freshman campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris returned for his sophomore season at Lemoore High School, unknowingly unprepared. The young athlete was pulled up to varsity as an underclassman, and quickly felt the change of the game. He recalls playing Kingsburg High School and being bullied out on the field in his first varsity game. An undersized player, Harris was not enjoying the game as much as he once was.

Behind that, coupled with the grief of losing his grandmother, Harris felt like it was time to step away from football.

"I felt like I wasn't ready to fully focus on football and give myself to the team for the rest of that season, so I walked away," Harris added. "I took that whole season off, and got my mind right. I came back motivated. I had some people in my corner and I've kept playing ever since."

The young Harris didn't feel prepared at that time, so he walked away.

He didn't choose to come back to the game on his own. It took a lot of persuading by some players who had once been in his shoes, but who saw his potential and wanted to get him back into the game. Among those who helped bring Harris back was Lemoore High School graduate and NFL veteran David Ausberry.

"He came back and saw some of my film, and how much potential I had. He spoke some life into me," Harris said on Ausberry's influence on him. "We got on calls, watched film, and stuff like that. I created a love/hate relationship with the game. I was okay with not liking the game sometimes because it gets tough. I learned to love the parts where I would get better and see myself improving, spending time with my teammates, enjoying things besides my performance. I was enjoying all of that a little bit more, and it formed my relationship back with the sport."

Ausberry believed in him.

With Ausberry's help, who played collegiately at USC, Harris returned to football with a new outlook on the game. He went into it with a mindset of learning at every opportunity he had, instead of letting the opportunities pass.

Harris' first eye-opening moment was when he got his first offer to play college football. That school saw the same thing in him that Ausberry did, and what many soon down the road will too.

"Washington State was my first offer," said Harris. "They were my biggest offer, too. I was barely a junior, and they saw something in me to offer me a scholarship, and that is when I took it seriously."

For a kid from Lemoore, the opportunity to play at a Pac-12 program was a dream come true. The opportunity was one that many would love to have. However, for Harris, he had to keep something else in mind when choosing the path for his future. Fresno State was the only answer.

"I knew I was going to be having my son around this time, so I wanted to stay home," said Harris.

During his senior year, Harris found out he was going to be a father. He was about to embark on two major life changes, so staying home at Fresno State was the right choice for him. Through the recruitment process, Harris got to connect closely with Fresno State defensive backs coach J.D. Williams. Williams himself is a Valley native who also played at Fresno State, was a first-round draft pick and had a successful NFL career before his return to the Valley as a coach.

"The thing that impacted me most about J.D. [Williams] was meeting him as a person, and him getting to know me as a person," said Harris on his recruitment. "I felt like our interactions were all so authentic. I felt like he saw himself in me. The way he treated me reflected that. I saw how much faith he had in me, and I knew how many tools and resources he had to help me repay that faith."

Williams believed in him.

When Harris arrived at Fresno State in the summer of 2024, he did his best to get through fall camp while commuting to Lemoore when he had to for doctors appointments and family time. It's about a 40-minute one-way trip. He made it through his first fall camp while adjusting to college life, and then it all changed for him again.

"October 31, 2024 was the day my life changed forever," said Harris.

His son was born on Halloween night. From that day on, every decision that Harris made had to be made with somebody else in mind. He knew that everything he did wasn't just for himself anymore, but to be a better version of himself for his family.

However, even knowing that, it was still a big change in the day-to-day routine. The young Bulldog was a true freshman in his first semester of college, and halfway through his first football season.

"I felt unprepared. I felt like I didn't have answers to the test," Harris said.

Harris again caught himself feeling unprepared for something in his life, but he didn't walk away this time.

Harris and his new family of his own never went through any of this alone. They had their village of support that uplifted everything as the days went on, including some conversations with Williams that offered some perspective to the young corner.

After some time, Harris returned to the facility and got back to work with the team.

"I think I had a lot of growing up to do in general," said Harris. "In football, I had to mature and become a better player. I think emotionally, I had to become more available and aware of how I am feeling. I had to become a better communicator. I want my son to grow up in an environment where he sees his parents love each other. I wanted to make sure I was being a good partner and teammate. I started to have a growth mindset about everything. I know I haven't learned nearly everything that I need to learn. A big adjustment for me was developing that growth mindset to try to become better at everything I have going on."

He took that with him on and off the field, and he found his perfect mix to make that work in his favor. He prioritized becoming a better man, partner, father and football player every single day.

In 2025, Harris stepped into a special teams role. Still learning behind Al'zillion Hamilton and Jakari Embry last season, he credits that duo with helping him get to where he is now.

"They were a big part of me becoming a better player," said Harris on Hamilton and Embry. "They did a good job of telling me to keep my ears open and be a sponge when it comes to all of the information that is being thrown around you. Try to pick up things, even if you feel like it is too far ahead for you. Just try to grasp the overall concept. The bigger head start I can get now, the more it will help me later on. That has also helped me become more of a leader on the defense. It has helped me become a playmaker, somebody who can take control. I feel like I am prepared now."

With Hamilton and Embry both graduated, Harris has stepped up as a leader in the room. Although only in his third year, he has a maturity to him that radiates. He is still learning every day, but is hungry to go out and make plays.

"I got my feet wet with special teams, but I really want to make an impact on defense. I have fresh legs. I am a young cat. I am looking forward to showing the returning guys and the vets that I am a valuable piece out there and they can depend on me when I am out there."

Now, Harris is beginning to believe in himself. He's balancing fatherhood, college football and growing expectations on defense, while embracing the fact that he still has things to learn.

Fresno State is home for Harris. The Central Valley means something to him.

"Not a lot of people get to finish their journey in one spot," said Harris when reflecting on Fresno State. "Whether they want one thing, or they think the grass is greener on the other side. It is a family-oriented place here. There is a rich history. We have lots of experience around us. This is a place where I can see myself playing long-term"

Although young in his collegiate career, the ceiling is high. He is taking everything he has learned into this new year, aiming to be a starter and significant contributor to the Bulldogs' defense this season. He also can see his future being developed at Fresno State, with hopes of becoming the next great defensive back to come out of Fresno State.

Harris once thought growth meant becoming a better football player. Now, football is only part of it.

Fresno State Athletics

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Kiontre Harris embraces growth on and off the field

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