CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Kankakee Community College left-hander and former Marine Josh Harris singed a letter of intent Wednesday to pitch for the University of Illinois. Harris joins the Illini with three years of eligibility remaining.

"I'm excited to bring in a student-athlete with a great deal of maturity and that can help our bullpen," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Josh because he served in the Marines and is now continuing his education. He is going to help our clubhouse and help us on the field."

Harris appeared in 19 games for Kankakee in 2018, going 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA and eight saves. He struck out 34 and walked only four batters 19 1/3 innings pitched. The lefty projects as a bullpen arm with a high-80s to low-90s fastball and a hard slider. 

Harris spent over four years in the Marine Corps from 2011-2015, first enlisting at the age of 17 with the help of his mother who signed with Harris' recruiter. Harris left for boot camp as an 18-year old after finishing his senior season of high school, when he went 5-2 with a 2.12 ERA.

Harris completed boot camp and infantry training before being moved to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in California. He was in the unit for nearly four years, accomplishing a number of schools including advanced infantry training, VBSS and mountain communications. He was deployed overseas twice. 

Following his time with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Harris spent five months working with the military police before being discharged to help prepare him for a future career in law enforcement. He was honorably discharged in October of 2015.

Harris plans to major in communications or sociology and pursue a career in law enforcement following his baseball career.

Josh Harris, So., LHP
6-0, 200
Beecher, Illinois / Beecher HS / Kankakee Community College
• 2-1, 3.72 ERA, 8 SV, 19.1 IP, 4 BB, 34 SO as a freshman at Kankakee Community College
• Marine Corps veteran
• Deployed overseas twice as a Marine
• Spent over four years in the Marines
• Born July 17, 1993
• Son of Cal Harris (deceased) and Karyn Harris 
• One sister, Jordyn
• Plans to major in communications or sociology 
• Plans to have a career in law enforcement following his playing career 
• Chose Illinois because, "Great facilities and it's close to home. It is a very nice school with great credentials to make your degree stand out amongst others. The coaches seemed like they really cared for my performance and well being."