Overview

With a nickname like "Macho," Harris had better be able to back it up. He did that at Virginia Tech. A versatile athlete who has seen time at cornerback, free safety, running back, wide receiver and as a returner on both kickoffs and punts, Harris was used all over the field for the Hokies and presents similar options for his future NFL employer. Voted a second-team All-American in 2008 and a first-team All-ACC selection, Harris intercepted six passes, returning two of them for touchdowns. Unlike many of the Hokies' previous standout corners, Harris might fit best in the NFL in a zone scheme or even at free safety. His instincts and ability to close should help him continue to make big plays and perhaps disguise his lack of elite speed.

A PARADE All-American as an "athlete" ... Led the Richmond metro area in rushing his senior year with 225 carries for 2,346 yards for Coach Scott Burton at Highland Springs ... Averaged 10.4 yards per carry, scoring 27 touchdowns ... Caught four passes for 90 yards and four touchdowns ... Racked up 751 yards and four touchdowns on 28 returns ... Contributed 22 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back ... Scored TDs six different ways as a senior ... The Central Region's career leading ground gainer with 5,320 yards ... Scored a total of 70 touchdowns his final two seasons ... Ranked the No. 1 player in the state by The Roanoke Times ... Named the Offensive Player of the Year in the state's AAA grouping by the VHSCA ... Named a first-team running back and defensive back, as well as second-team as a kick returner, by the coaches ... Selected a postseason All-American by SuperPrep ... Named to the Virginia All-Group AAA first-team all-state team by the Associated Press as a running back ... Participated in the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio ... Ranked the No. 2 athlete in the nation by PrepStar ... Named to PrepStar's postseason Dream Team (top 100 in the nation), as well as an All-American and an All-Atlantic Region selection ... Ranked the No. 8 defensive back in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia by SuperPrep.

Ranked the No. 28 overall player in the nation, the No. 3 "athlete" in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state by rivals.com ... Rated the No. 14 player in the nation and the No. 2 cornerback by collegefootballnews.com ... Ranked the No. 24 player in the nation, the No. 4 cornerback and the No. 1 player in the state by scout.com ... Rated the No. 22 player in the nation and the No. 3 player in the Mid-Atlantic Coast by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report ... Listed first-team All-American by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report ... Named second-team All-USA by USA Today.

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Analysis

Positives: Natural playmaker. ... Versatile athlete with the skills to help at multiple positions. ... Alert zone defender. ... Reads the quarterback's eyes and closes quickly on the ball. ... Reliable open-field tackler who flashes explosiveness as a hitter. ... Willing to dirty his jersey against the run. ... Good lateral agility to elude blockers and will come up aggressively in run support. ... At least adequate hip flexibility and straight-line speed. ... Natural hands for the interception. ... Can track the ball over either shoulder. ... Good leaping ability and times his leaps well. ... Can highpoint passes and shows the strong hands to snatch passes out of the air. ... Reliable hands as a returner. ... Good vision and burst as a returner.

Negatives: Might lack the hip flexibility and straight-line speed for man coverage. ... Inconsistent press technique and lacks the burst to keep up with faster receivers if he misses his initial punch. ... Likes to go for the intimidating hit and will occasionally fail to wrap up properly when dropping his shoulder into the ballcarrier. ... Plays a flashy, emotional game and can get carried away on the field, drawing penalties.

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