Kansas football: Top five former Kansas Jayhawks in the NFL
No. 3: Chris Harris Jr.: (2007-2010) CB, New Orleans Saints
It almost seems disrespectful to place a player of Harris’ caliber anywhere besides the No. 1 spot. If this list was made two or three years ago, he would have been right there at the top, but he is no longer the All-Pro level corner that we once knew.
This ranking is not undermining any of Harris’ achievements as a Jayhawk or in the NFL. His accolades are endless — four-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time All-Pro selection, and chose to the NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team.
Harris was one of the top cornerbacks on the legendary 2007 KU team alongside Aqib Talib. Although his time at KU was not as impressive as the now-retired Talib, Harris was a key player for the Jayhawks in all four of his seasons. His leadership eventually was the reason why he was chosen as the team captain as a senior in 2010.
His career in the NFL surpasses anything he did at Kansas. He even was able to reunite with Talib for a few seasons as a member of the Denver Broncos, and they both won a Super Bowl together in 2015. That Broncos team had one of the best defenses in recent NFL history, led by Von Miller and, of course, Harris and Talib.
Harris has 22 interceptions in his NFL career, including 4 that went for a pick-six. He also has 621 combined tackles and 6.0 sacks.
Aside from his time on the Broncos, Harris spent two seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers and now resides with the New Orleans Saints.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1339782857213009920
Harris has had a tremendous NFL career. However, his best days are far behind him. Now 33 years old, Harris is looming the age of retirement, so it is unsure if he will return in 2023 for his 13th NFL season. His 2022 regular stats were not terrible, but not too impressive:
- 29 combined tackles
- 3 pass break-ups
- Targeted 41 times (allowed 32 receptions)
- 1 forced fumble
- 1.0 sacks