Juan Harris Names Top 3: Is Alabama, Oregon or Ohio State Best Fit for 4-Star?

Juan Harris, one of the top underclassman football players in America, cannot sign with a collegiate program for another two years. Still, he's already assembled a list of heavyweight favorites, according to Alex Gleitman of 247Sports (subscription required).

The massive 4-star sophomore defensive tackle identified College Football Playoff competitors Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon as three schools that stand out. Harris, who decommitted from Iowa last week, is considered a top 100 overall prospect in his class and a candidate to collect substantial interest in the coming months.

Rated 10th nationally among defensive tackles in 247Sports' 2017 composite rankings, Harris already holds offers from a collection of FBS squads that includes Wisconsin, Virginia and Tennessee.

However, none of his favorites have extended an offer at this stage. Gleitman notes that Harris "is confident all three could come with scholarships in the near future."

The 6'4", 356-pound prospect plays at North Fayette Valley High School, a 2014 state champion in Iowa. His skills drew strong accolades from head coach Bob Lape.

“He has size, speed, agility and explosiveness, and at that size," Lape told Jeff Johnson of The Gazette. "I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s still got two more years to develop, he’s still baby faced. He’s going to grow to be a man."

Given Harris' size and potential, expect offers to arrive in bunches as college coaching staffs get underway with expansive recruiting film studies from this past season. 

Each of his top three teams obviously carries clout on the national scene. Alabama has won three national titles under head coach Nick Saban and reached the semifinals this January, while Oregon and Ohio State are set to compete in a championship showdown.

The Crimson Tide rarely lack for talent along the defensive front and landed coveted 2015 nose guard Daron Payne this past weekend. The Tide's 2016 class already features 6'7", 315-pound Mississippi tackle Raekwon Davis.

Saban continues to load up on edge-rushers and perimeter ends, but there's always room for big-bodied run-stuffers along the interior. Harris has already convinced one SEC team (Tennessee) he has what it takes to compete in the conference and now is turning his attention to Tuscaloosa.

Oregon is well known for its uptempo offensive attack, but the Ducks are beginning to exhibit more well-rounded roster balance. Improved toughness and talent on defense has the program in position to take home a national title after throttling defending champ Florida State in semifinal action.

The team now aims to procure top-level defensive talent from beyond the West Coast, where Oregon has made its mark in recruiting. A Midwest menace like Harris fits the bill for extending that reach, and he could be counted on to contribute quickly in Eugene.

Ohio State would seem to have an advantage in terms of proximity. Big Ten teams are likely to lead the charge for Harris when all is said and done, especially after his initial commitment to Iowa.

Wisconsin pulled the trigger on an offer, and head coach Urban Meyer could be tempted to follow suit this winter. Ohio State already holds a foundational 2017 commitment from 4-star quarterback Danny Clark and a third national championship for Meyer would further fuel future success on the recruiting trail.

Harris, who visited the Buckeyes in July, could complement an impressive collection of young defensive line talent in Columbus. Jonathan Cooper, one of the country's top 2016 defensive ends, committed to Ohio State in November.

The Buckeyes have whiffed on a few key tackle targets during this recruiting cycle, and it remains to be seen how the team will fare in that department leading up to signing day 2016. At the moment, Ohio State would seem to be the ideal fit for Harris given its location, roster needs and defensive pedigree.

There's a long way to go for the big man in a process that's really just beginning to gain national traction. Expect Harris to play a pivotal role in the 2017 cycle, with multiple powerhouse programs in the mix.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.