TE | (6'6", 261, 4.8) | RUTGERS
Strengths: Possesses adequate-to-good overall size. Is tall with adequate bulk and room on his frame to get bigger. Takes solid angles as a blocker and will do a fine job of reaching his assignment on the second-level. Extremely productive receiver at the collegiate level. Shows good initial quickness. A big target in the passing game. Displays adequate-to-good athleticism for his size. Is instinctive and knows how to separate -- especially underneath. Is extremely productive as a short-to-intermediate receiver. Has had some minor durability problems early in career but has remained relatively healthy during final three seasons.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed and will never be a vertical threat in the NFL. He is mostly reliable as a receiver, but he will lose focus on occasion and seems to lose confidence if he drops a pass in a game (dropped three vs. Illinois in 2005 opener). Also possesses short arms. Not much of a threat after the catch. Can still add bulk and improve his lower body strength in order to match up better as an in-line blocker in the NFL. Is not as tough and physical as he likes people to believe. Doesn't give enough of an effort as a blocker and will shy away from physical matchups in the "phone booth". Also is a bit unpolished in terms of his footwork and hand-placement as a blocker.
Overall: Harris did not see any action in 2002 and was redshirted. He had surgery on his right shoulder at the end of the 2002 season and also injured his left knee in the following spring. He played in all 12 games during the 2003 season and caught 18 passes for 213 yards (11.8 average). In 2004, Harris started all 11 games and earned first team All-Big East honors after ranking second nationally for tight ends in receptions (53), receiving yards (725), and touchdowns (five), while averaging 13.7 yards per catch. He again started every game (12) for Rutgers in 2005 and finished the year with 584 yards and four touchdowns on 38 catches (15.4 average), earning his second consecutive first team All-Big East selection. Harris earned his third straight first team All-Big East selection in 2006 playing in all 13 games, with 12 starts, and catching 34 balls for 493 yards (14.5 average) and two touchdowns.
Harris is a highly productive receiver at the collegiate level. He is a big and reliable target as a short-to-intermediate pass catcher and he also can be a decent blocker in space. However, Harris is a vastly overrated prospect in our opinion. He lacks the speed to stretch the seam as a receiver in the NFL and he will get rag-dolled by bigger, stronger defenders as an in-line blocker at the next level. Harris is a talkative person with an inflated image of his value, yet his tough-guy image off-the-field doesn't translate to his blocking ability on the field. It will be a mistake if a team selects Harris any higher than the third round of the 2007 draft -- and even that might be too much of a reach.
Strengths: Possesses adequate-to-good overall size. Is tall with adequate bulk and room on his frame to get bigger. Takes solid angles as a blocker and will do a fine job of reaching his assignment on the second-level. Extremely productive receiver at the collegiate level. Shows good initial quickness. A big target in the passing game. Displays adequate-to-good athleticism for his size. Is instinctive and knows how to separate -- especially underneath. Is extremely productive as a short-to-intermediate receiver. Has had some minor durability problems early in career but has remained relatively healthy during final three seasons.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed and will never be a vertical threat in the NFL. He is mostly reliable as a receiver, but he will lose focus on occasion and seems to lose confidence if he drops a pass in a game (dropped three vs. Illinois in 2005 opener). Also possesses short arms. Not much of a threat after the catch. Can still add bulk and improve his lower body strength in order to match up better as an in-line blocker in the NFL. Is not as tough and physical as he likes people to believe. Doesn't give enough of an effort as a blocker and will shy away from physical matchups in the "phone booth". Also is a bit unpolished in terms of his footwork and hand-placement as a blocker.
Overall: Harris did not see any action in 2002 and was redshirted. He had surgery on his right shoulder at the end of the 2002 season and also injured his left knee in the following spring. He played in all 12 games during the 2003 season and caught 18 passes for 213 yards (11.8 average). In 2004, Harris started all 11 games and earned first team All-Big East honors after ranking second nationally for tight ends in receptions (53), receiving yards (725), and touchdowns (five), while averaging 13.7 yards per catch. He again started every game (12) for Rutgers in 2005 and finished the year with 584 yards and four touchdowns on 38 catches (15.4 average), earning his second consecutive first team All-Big East selection. Harris earned his third straight first team All-Big East selection in 2006 playing in all 13 games, with 12 starts, and catching 34 balls for 493 yards (14.5 average) and two touchdowns.
Harris is a highly productive receiver at the collegiate level. He is a big and reliable target as a short-to-intermediate pass catcher and he also can be a decent blocker in space. However, Harris is a vastly overrated prospect in our opinion. He lacks the speed to stretch the seam as a receiver in the NFL and he will get rag-dolled by bigger, stronger defenders as an in-line blocker at the next level. Harris is a talkative person with an inflated image of his value, yet his tough-guy image off-the-field doesn't translate to his blocking ability on the field. It will be a mistake if a team selects Harris any higher than the third round of the 2007 draft -- and even that might be too much of a reach.
