Earlier this week, Falcon Media Sports Network’s Holden Ruck sat down for a one-on-one interview with BGSU football sophomore tight end Jacob Harris, which aired on the Zig Zone on WBGU 88.1 FM on Sunday.

Here is a look at the interview:

Ruck: Alright, we’re here one-on-one in the Zig Zone with BGSU tight end Jacob Harris. Jacob, thanks for being here.

Harris: Thank you, guys.

Ruck: First of all, man, how’s the season been going for you?

Harris: Pretty good. It’s been super exciting. This is my first year really starting to make an impact on the field. I played here and there last year, but obviously with Harold [Fannin Jr.], he was the guy. So I just kind of came in to take a couple of plays off his legs so he could get back in. But this year has been super fun so far.

Ruck: Talk a little bit more about this year. I mean, a big touchdown catch—the first of your career—against Liberty, and then a 46-yarder at Louisville. What’s it like to find the end zone for the first time? Is it really gratifying?

Harris: Man, it’s like all the time leading up finally paying off. It feels really good just being able to get back out there and do the things I love, trying to get some of that confidence back that I had coming into college. When you’re sitting for a while, it’s kind of hard.

Ruck: For sure. And speaking of sitting, last year you were in a tight end room with Harold Fannin, who’s now playing on Sundays, and veteran Levi Gazarek. What kinds of things did you learn from being around those guys?

Harris: Oh man, I learned a ton—how to practice, the ins and outs of the position. Coming out of high school, I was playing receiver, so transitioning to tight end—especially the blocking aspect—was tough. There’s also a lot of football IQ stuff that I didn’t have to worry about at receiver. Those guys helped me a ton.

Ruck: Talk more about that change, going from high school receiver to tight end. What did that transition look like?

Harris: Like I said, blocking was the biggest part. And then I had to put on weight—I’ve put on like 45 pounds since I got here. But it’s not just about gaining weight; it’s about learning how to use it, readjusting to your body. The little details and fundamentals of playing tight end were a big part of it, too.

Ruck: How do you think coming into your own at this position benefits the offense and the team?

Harris: Being a bigger guy, I think I create matchup problems. Going back to the Liberty game, we’re in the red zone, and coach Dewayne Alexander—our tight ends coach—asks me, “Do you like the matchup?” I said, “I love it.” We threw it up, and I was able to make a play. So it’s about using my size, even when I’m not wide open. I can box guys out and make a play at the point of attack. Once you make a few of those, defenses start adjusting, which opens things up for others. That’s a big part of what I bring, and a lot of our other guys in the tight end room too. We’re deep at that position.

Ruck: That Liberty game was a big, marquee win—especially for homecoming. You’ve been in the program a couple of years. How special was that one?

Harris: That was awesome. Since I’d been here, we hadn’t had a homecoming win. I don’t know how long it had been before that, but driving in, seeing the tailgaters, the packed student section, the energy—it was unreal. You want to reward that support with a win, and I’m just glad we could.

Ruck: You mentioned the fan energy. This year, anyone who’s been to the Doyt knows it’s been as passionate as ever. A lot of that coincides with coach Eddie George’s arrival. Talk about his impact in the locker room.

Harris: The culture shift is real. This is the most connected we’ve been since I got here. You feel it in your position group and beyond. It extends across the whole team. When you trust your teammates, you can focus on doing your job because you know they’ll do theirs.

Ruck: With a name like Eddie George, fans probably expect a commitment to the run game. What’s that like for you—as both a pass catcher and someone who contributes in the run game?

Harris: It sets the tone. The run game opens up the pass, and you can’t just focus on one. Our running backs are outstanding, and there’s crazy depth. We can sub guys in with no drop-off. The defense never gets to rest. That whole group has done a great job.

Ruck: What’s the atmosphere like at home games this year? How does that affect you guys on the field?

Harris: You can feel the energy as soon as you run out. It’s super positive. Growing up, everyone dreams of playing in loud stadiums and big games. Home field advantage is real, and our fans have been phenomenal.

Ruck: You talked about the team being very unified. How do you carry that togetherness into the rest of the MAC schedule? What’s the confidence level like?

Harris: It’s more important now than ever. Last week was when the real season started. Of course, we wanted to win the early games and be undefeated, but in terms of the MAC Championship—now is the time. That unity is going to carry us through November when adversity hits. Staying together and focused on our goals will be the difference.

Ruck: A lot of people expected a step back this year—new coach, transfer portal losses, NFL departures. But that hasn’t been the vibe at all in the locker room. Why not?

Harris: The combination of guys already here and talent from the portal has been great. We never felt like it was a rebuild. The hard part about the portal is keeping culture, but that’s something we really emphasized. We made it a point to bond early—it wasn’t just transactional.

Ruck: Has that been a point of emphasis from team leaders too—building unity?

Harris: Yes. Every day, a different position group presents on the five commitments to being a good teammate. We challenge each other to connect outside our position groups, do things outside football, and build stronger relationships.

Ruck: You’re starting to build your own legacy here—scoring touchdowns, playing a bigger role. And your dad is a BG legend. How has that shaped your journey?

Harris: It’s been awesome. I grew up recreating his old teams in college football video games. Playing in the same stadium, seeing his number up there—it’s special. This is what you dream of. It’s a huge opportunity, not just to be here, but to make a name for myself.

Ruck: Big shoes to fill, but you don’t see it that way?

Harris: Not really. I see it as a chance to write my own story. Same with following Harold—I just saw it as an opportunity to make a name for myself and put myself on the map.

Ruck: Not everyone comes from a football family, but you do. How has that shaped you, even as a kid?

Harris: My dad’s always been real with me and my brother—no sugar coating. I started out playing quarterback like he did, and that worked for a while. But the game sped up, and he told me honestly that I didn’t process fast enough for QB. So I moved to receiver, where I found success. He’s never tried to mold me into something I’m not. Playing receiver with a quarterback’s mindset helped my development, especially in building chemistry with QBs like Drew. I try to make things easy for him out there.

Ruck: We’re in a bye week right now. How important is the timing for you and the team?

Harris: Couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ve had some guys banged up. This week gave us time to get healthy, reset after the Ohio game, and fine-tune things. With the rivalry game coming up and more MAC play ahead, this was perfect timing.

Ruck: You’ve been at BG a while, and this is your first Battle of I-75 as a key player. How excited are you?

Harris: Super excited. Especially at home. I’ve been looking forward to this. I played a little in last year’s game, but nothing like what I’ll do this year. I’m ready to make an impact and help bring home a win.

Ruck: What’s the main message in the locker room from the coaching staff heading into that game?

Harris: We don’t have to do anything special—just play to our ability. We believe we’re the better team, so it’s about executing and proving that. So far, our losses have been more about us beating ourselves. We need to finish drives and stay consistent. The focus has always been on us—and it still is.

Ruck: What’s the ceiling for this team the rest of the way?

Harris: I think it’s limitless. We believe we’re a championship-caliber team with the talent to back it up. If we do what we need to do consistently, we could get another shot at