Harris was the national champion in the heavyweight weight class at the 1980 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and was named the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament, becoming the first African American to win the award.

Harris attended McNary High School in Keizer, Oregon, winning the state team championship as a junior in 1975.

In addition to his wrestling talents he was an Oregon All-State football player, racking up a total of 1448 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while leading McNary to its first state tournament berth.

He was a four-time All-American at 190 lbs and heavyweight, and holds the school record for career wins (169) and single season pins (40, 1980).

[4] Many major college wrestling programs wanted to sign Harris after his dominant senior year of high school.