Erik Harris

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For other people with a similar name, see Eric Harris (disambiguation).

Erik Harris
refer to caption
Harris in the 2017 NFL season.
No. 23 – Atlanta Falcons
Position:Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-02) April 2, 1990 (age 31)
Los Angeles, California
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:New Oxford
(New Oxford, Pennsylvania)
College:California (PA)
Undrafted:2012
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2021
Total tackles:240
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:0
Pass deflections:28
Interceptions:5
Defensive touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · CFL.ca (archive)

Erik Harris (born April 2, 1990) is an American football free safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California University of Pennsylvania. He has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the New Orleans Saints. Harris is known for playing many positions, including free and strong safety, halfback (which has an entirely different meaning than the American football halfback), cornerback, weakside linebacker and strong-side linebacker.

Early life and college[]

Harris was born in Los Angeles, California. When Harris was two months old, his parents separated and he moved to Baltimore with his mother. Harris and his mother moved to Pennsylvania when he was in the fifth grade. He attended New Oxford High School in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.[1][2]

He attended California University of Pennsylvania, playing safety for the Division II California Vulcans football team.[3] In four college seasons, he made 231 tackles on defense. He was a First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (All-PSAC) selection in 2010. He was a Second Team All-PSAC selection in 2011.[4]

Professional career[]

Harris was rated the 90th best strong safety in the 2012 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[5] Harris was not drafted.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		226 lb
(103 kg) 		4.57 s 1.65 s 2.70 s 4.48 s 6.96 s 311⁄2 9 ft 2 in
(2.79 m)		 23 reps
All values from California (PA) Pro Day[5]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats[]

Harris was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 11, 2013.[4] He played in 45 games for Hamilton, making 79 defensive tackles and 27 special teams tackles. He caught a touchdown on offense and recorded three interceptions.[7]

New Orleans Saints[]

2016 season[]

On February 2, 2016, the New Orleans Saints signed Harris to a reserve/future contract after a recommendation by Delvin Breaux, who had played with him while on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Harris agreed to a three-year, $1.62 million contract.[8][9] Joel Erickson of The Advocate noted that Harris was a CFL linebacker but that he had the ability to play as an NFL defensive back. After former Saints safety Rafael Bush signed with the Detroit Lions, New Orleans announced that Harris would play safety.[10] On October 10, 2016, Harris sustained a torn ACL during practice and was placed on the injured reserve list October 13, 2016.[11] He finished his rookie campaign with one solo tackle in four games.

2017 season[]

Throughout training camp, Harris competed to be the starting free safety against Vonn Bell and Rafael Bush after the role was left vacant by the departure of Jairus Byrd.[12] On September 2, 2017, the New Orleans Saints waived Harris.[13]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders[]

2017 season[]

On September 5, 2017, the Oakland Raiders signed Harris to a one-year, $630,000 contract.[14] Harris was initially signed to provide depth after rookie Obi Melifonwu was placed on injured-reserve. Head coach Jack Del Rio named Harris the primary backup free safety, behind Karl Joseph, to start the 2017 regular season. Harris appeared in 15 games in 2017, primarily on special teams, and finished the season with five combined tackles (four solo). On December 31, 2017, the Oakland Raiders fired head coach Jack Del Rio after they finished the season with a 6-10 record.[15]

2018 season[]

Harris entered training camp as a backup safety and competed to be a primary backup against Obi Melifonwu, Marcus Gilchrist, Shalom Luani, Dallin Leavitt and Tevin Mitchel.[16] Head coach Jon Gruden names Harris the primary backup strong safety, behind Karl Joseph, to begin the 2018 NFL season.[17] On October 28, 2018, Harris earned his first career start and recorded a season-high six solo tackles during a 42-28 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (four solo) as the Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. On December 16, 2018, Harris recorded three solo tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career interception during a 30-16 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. Harris made his first career interception off a pass by Bengals' quarterback Jeff Driskel, that was originally intended for John Ross.[18] Harris made 49 combined tackles (36 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and four starts.

2019 season[]

On March 8, 2019, the Oakland Raiders signed Harris to a two-year, $5 million contract that includes $1.07 million guaranteed.[19] Harris entered training camp slated as a backup safety after the Raiders drafted Johnathan Abram in the first round. Head coach Jon Gruden retained Harris as the primary backup strong safety, behind Karl Joseph, to start the season.[20]

Harris became the starting free safety in Week 2 after Johnathan Abram was placed on injured-reserve after tearing his rotator cuff during the Raiders' season-opening 24–16 victory against the Denver Broncos.[21] In Week 2, Harris earned his first career start and recorded two solo tackles during a 28–10 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. On September 29, 2019, Harris made seven combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and returned his first career interception for a touchdown during a 31–24 win at the Indianapolis Colts. Harris intercepted a pass attempt by Jacoby Brissett, that was intended for wide receiver Zach Pascal, and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter. [22] On November 7, 2019, Harris made one tackle and intercepted two passes by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers during a 26–24 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Harris intercepted a pass that was intended for tight end Hunter Henry for a 56-yard touchdown during the first quarter.[23] He finished the 2019 NFL season with 68 combined tackles (59 solo), eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and two touchdowns in 16 games and 14 starts.

2020 season[]

Harris was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Raiders on December 21, 2020,[24] and activated on January 1, 2021.[25]

Atlanta Falcons[]

On March 19, 2021, Harris signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[26] He entered the 2021 season as the Falcons starting free safety. He suffered a torn pectoral in Week 14 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He finished the season with 64 tackles and eight passes defensed through 12 starts.

Personal life[]

Harris is married to Theresa Harris, whom he met in New Oxford High School. He has 4 children: Ellis, Esme, and twin sons, Isaiah and Elijah, who were born in the summer of 2013.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ "Erik Harris - 2011 Football". calvulcans.com. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "A few minutes with Erik Harris". thespec.com. July 23, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  3. ^ Miller, Zach (February 3, 2016). "Former New Oxford star signs with NFL's Saints". Hanover Evening Sun. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Ticats add five To defence". ticats.ca. April 11, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Erik Harris". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "Ex DII walk on worked at potato chip factory before Raiders". msn.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "Erik Harris CFL profile". CFL.ca. February 5, 2016. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Saints Sign CFL Linebacker Erik Harris". neworleans.suntimes.com. February 2, 2016. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  9. ^ Triplett, Mike (February 3, 2016). "Saints sign Delvin Breaux's former CFL teammate, Erik Harris". espn.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  10. ^ "Saints deploying Erik Harris at safety". theadvocate.com. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  11. ^ Katzenstein, Josh (October 20, 2016). "Saints S Erik Harris recovering from 'disappointing' season-ending knee injury". NOLA.com.
  12. ^ "Saints Sign Rafael Bush". whodatdish.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.
  14. ^ "Raiders Sign Harris, Woodson-Luster". Raiders.com. September 5, 2017.
  15. ^ "Oakland Raiders fire head coach Jack Del Rio". NFL.com. December 31, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Smith, Jeff (August 3, 2018). "Report: Raiders S Erik Harris undergoes surgery on finger". 247sports.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Raiders announce their official depth chart for the 2018 season". raiderswire.usatoday.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals - December 16th, 2018". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  19. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 8, 2019). "Raiders extend safety Erik Harris". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  20. ^ "Raiders Depth Chart 2019: Oakland's passing game could change with potential Antonio Brown suspension looming". cbssports.com. September 5, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  21. ^ Schrock, Josh (November 7, 2019). "Erik Harris' Two-Interception Night Sparks Raiders' Win Vs. Chargers". nbcbayarea.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  22. ^ "Raiders use fast start, interception return to beat Colts". www.espn.com. September 29, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  23. ^ "Raiders rally to beat Chargers 26-24". www.espn.com. November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  24. ^ Simmons, Myles (December 21, 2020). "Raiders place Erik Harris on COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  25. ^ Simmons, Myles (January 1, 2021). "Raiders activate Erik Harris off COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  26. ^ "Falcons Sign LB Brandon Copeland and S Erik Harris". AtlantaFalcons.com. March 19, 2021.

External links[]

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