SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame Football announced today that James Harris has signed an NAIA Letter of Intent to continue his football career with the Falcons.

Harris comes to College Road from New Waterford, Ohio, where he was a standout defensive end for Crestview High School and Head Coach Paul Cusick. Harris was a three-year letterman for the Rebels in football.

“James will add an element of speed and power to our pass rush,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Adam Howard.

Harris was named First Team All-Inter Tri County League, First Team All-Quad County, and Special Mention All-Ohio as a senior. Harris finished his Rebel career with 222 tackles and 25 sacks for the two-time ITCL Champions (2005, 2008).

The son of Melvin and Melissa Wheatley plans on beginning classes at Notre Dame in the fall and majoring in criminal justice.

The development of a Football program at Notre Dame College was announced on Nov. 25. With their development of a team, Notre Dame becomes the only scholarship football team in the metropolitan Cleveland area. For information about the program and Head Coach Adam Howard, log onto www.NotreDameFalcons.com.

For media inquiries, contact Sports Information Director Skip Snow at 216-373-5319 or ssnow@ndc.edu.

Notre Dame College is a co-educational liberal arts institution in South Euclid, Ohio. The Notre Dame Department of Athletics sponsors the Falcons' participation in 21 men's and women's intercollegiate sports. The College is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the American Mideast Conference (AMC). In 2008-09, Notre Dame athletic programs rank No. 21 in the nation, based on the NAIA Director's Cup all-sports ranking as published by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).