Better Know an Eagle 2017: #8 Will Harris

Name: William Harris Jr.

Position: Defensive Back

Number: 8

Year: Junior

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 202

Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia

High School: Choate Rosemary Hall, Connecticut

2016 Stats: Harris had an up and down season at strong safety, where he started all 13 games. He ended with 47 total tackles (34 solo) and managed two interceptions on four pass breakups. Notably, one of his interceptions started a bit of a scrap , as Syracuse QB Eric Dungey took offense to a defensive player doing his job.

Projections: Harris will be likely running alongside either Lukas Denis or Mehdi El Attrach at the safety position. He’s one of the veteran leaders in the defensive backfield, and both Steve Addazio and DB Coach Anthony Campanile think very highly of him and will expect him to follow in John Johnson’s footsteps. I’d wager Harris will increase all of his overall numbers across the board, but for pass breakups to go up the most.

Over/Under: Three interceptions and 9 passes defended

How’d He Get Here: A three star athlete who played both DB and WR in high school, Harris chose Boston College over UConn, Syracuse, and Old Dominion. You can watch some him lay the wood for Choate below.

Quotables from ‘Daz (and other coaches):

"I just think [the defensive backs have] grown exponentially this spring. Isaac Yiadom's had a great spring. He really has done a lot of great things. Taj-Amir Torres has had a great spring. Will Harris has elevated his game. Lukas Denis has done a great job for us. Gabriel McClary has done a really good job in the run game. A lot of positives there." - Anthony Campanile

“In the back end we lose John Johnson. John Johnson was a super bright guy, really made a lot of adjustments in the back end. But we have the emergence with Will, Will Harris, is going to be a great football player. We had Justin, John Johnson, but Will Harris is one of those great next ones.” - Steve Addazio

Follow him on twitter: @jwillofficial_ (I checked, it’s official. Not verified though. It’s okay Will, I’m not verified either.)