Chicago Bears 2017 draft position profiles: Linebackers
Connor Harris, Lindenwood (5-foot-11, 241 pounds)
In every draft there is that certain player people feel good about. A player who deserves a shot and people want him to get that chance. In this year’s draft, that player is Connor Harris.
Harris is a coach’s dream. He is a guy who was born to play football. He knows his limitations, but doesn’t let those limitations hold him back. Whatever tools he does have he uses them to the fullest. He lives in the weight room. When not in the weight room, he lives in the film room. He lives to look at game film.
Division-I schools neglected Harris. He received just one offer (from Kansas), but it came after he already committed to Lindenwood. He rewarded the school with record-breaking play.
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Harris started all 48 games he played at Lindenwood. He set the NCAA all-division record for tackles with 633.
Even though the big schools didn’t notice Harris coming out of high school, the big teams of the NFL did. He received an invitation to the Senior Bowl to showcase his skills against bigger competition.
“I knew that if I was good enough, they’d find me,” Harris said of NFL teams. “Flash forward a few years, and I’ve got the chance of a lifetime.”
In addition to his linebacker duties, Harris also helped his team out at running back, where he rushed 50 times for 328 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and punter (38.8 yards per punt and 6 downed inside the 20 in 2016).
Harris has a tremendous motor. He looks to hit people and he keeps coming at you like a machine. He is a born leader and was a team captain in three of his four years in college.
Draft analyst Eric Galko of Optimumscouting.com thinks highly of Harris. “On film he’s hyperactive, hyper explosive in a good way,” Galko said. “He’s balanced and finishes in the backfield. His biggest question mark is if can he handle these bigger O-linemen in drills … because you’ve got to show you can thump with guards and centers. If you can’t get off blocks and linemen, you can’t find a home.”
Harris already impressed during Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practice, intercepting a pass.
Of course, Harris’ size and competition cause concerns among some scouts. Remember, however, when they said the same thing about a guy coming out of Buffalo a few years ago? That guy, Khalil Mack, is now one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
Also, look at players like Zach Thomas and Chris Borland who enjoyed success at the pro level despite their size. When you’re a born football player, you can play anywhere against anyone.