Jacksonville State commit Shondell Harris is no longer Class 7A Mary G. Montgomery’s starting quarterback, and that’s just fine with him.

Harris has moved back to safety to anchor the Vikings’ defense in 2025 with the addition of transfer quarterback Jeremy Menhennett.

“It’s been fun,” Harris said of his full-time return to defense. “I played safety since my freshman year but played quarterback last year because we didn’t have one. With Jeremy coming in, it’s been great. The first day he came in, he learned the plays and now we are rolling. On the other side, we are trying to get the No. 1 defense back, and I think we’ll have it this year.”

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Harris has been a key to Mary G. Montgomery’s turnaround whether on offense or defense or both.

RELATED: How did MGM turn into a title contender?

As a junior, he passed for 1,698 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 888 yards and 11 scores from his quarterback position. As a sophomore, he was a key player in one of the state’s top defenses, recording 49 tackles and an interception.

“I didn’t feel like I was out of place,” Harris said of playing quarterback last season. “I was at the position I needed to be for the team so we could win. I missed playing defense but at the same time I knew I needed to play quarterback so we could win.”

Harris’ move back to defense should be a win-win on both sides of the ball. He will still play some offense, according to coach Zach Golson, but won’t have the responsibility of being the full-time quarterback.

“It makes him a weapon,” he said. “He will get to play every snap on defense and now we can really be multiple with how we use him on offense weather he lines up at quarterback or running back or receiver. He’s a threat. That’s exciting. Defense is really more who he is. He did a great job for us at quarterback last year, led us to a 9-1 regular season and a region championship. He’s a super dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. He will have a big senior year.”

Golson said Menhennett was a “Semmes kid” who transferred to Mary G. Montgomery because he wanted the competition of the 7A level after playing at Class 2A St. Luke’s.

“It was an easy transition for him coming back to his home school,” Golson said. “He has really blended well with our guys. His work, his intelligence – he makes really good decisions. We have good people around him. It’s really about getting the ball to the right guy.”

Harris said he was happy when Menhennett transferred.

“For one, he’s a good person and a great guy,” he said. “Secondly, it allowed me to be back home on defense where I feel comfortable. It’s just different for me on that side of the ball.”

Harris committed to Jacksonville State in April. He said JSU head coach Charles Kelly and the staff have been “phenomenal” and have “treated him like family.”

Harris and the Vikings will open the 2025 season at home against Pace, Fla., on Aug. 22.