QB Jacory Harris of Miami ~ 6.4/200
"Harris is a player who will be under the microscope in the postseason draft process considering his history at Miami. Although he has started three years (plus two games as a true freshman, including the opener) and has experience quarterbacking at a high level, Harris lacks many of the key inherent attributes that make NFL quarterbacks successful, as he is thin and lacks arm strength.
Harris could stand to put on size before expecting to step into an NFL pocket, as well as continue to develop his arm and accuracy. While there are knocks on his skill set, Harris is considered a gamer and could expect to be taken in late rounds by teams looking for a change-of-pace quarterback.
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Strengths: Harris' biggest strength is that he was able to start for so many games at Miami. He has led the Hurricanes on many late-game victory drives and had some productive outings. He is a good game manager and distributes the ball well both short and intermediate. He has shown a good throwing motion and touch on his ball.
Weaknesses: Harris is thin for the position and could have durability issues. He can be sporadic with his throws and is not accurate throwing the ball deep. For his size, he should be more of a running threat, and he is effective mostly just out of the pocket."
Harris could stand to put on size before expecting to step into an NFL pocket, as well as continue to develop his arm and accuracy. While there are knocks on his skill set, Harris is considered a gamer and could expect to be taken in late rounds by teams looking for a change-of-pace quarterback.
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"Harris went 30-0 and won a pair of state titles his final two years at Northwestern High School (earned Mr. Football award for the state of Florida as a senior) and decided to stay close to home and play his college ball for Miami.
He initially won the starting quarterback job as a true freshman, but shared those duties with Robert Marve in 2008, going 118-for-194 (60.8%) for 1,195 yards, 12 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and 2 rush scores.
Harris had his best season in 2009 as a sophomore, starting all 13 games, and was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, finishing 242-for-406 (59.6%) for a career-high 3,352 yards, 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
He was the starter in 2010, but his junior season was derailed by a concussion late in the season, going 148-for-270 (54.8%) for 1,793 yards, 14 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and 2 rush scores.
Harris returned in 2011 and started 11 games as a senior, but was suspended for the season opener, finishing 195-for-300 (65.0%) for 2,574 yards, 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Harris arrived at Miami as part of a much heralded hometown recruiting class, but his career never matched the hype as he was a reckless passer most of his career. However, he steadily began to progress and make smarter decisions as a senior.
Harris has the arm, but is simply too inconsistent as he makes a good throw, but follows it up with a few head-scratchers and lacks the football IQ to be anything more than a long-term developmental project in the NFL.
His lanky frame and slim build will also cause durability concerns for the next level. Harris is an undrafted player with a lot of questions about whether or not he has what it takes between the ears.
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Strengths: Possesses good height to see the whole field. An effortless thrower with very good arm strength to make passes downfield. Good all-around athlete with some escapability and speed to make plays with his legs.
Really improved his pocket presence to feel pressure as a senior. A tough individual and showed resolve on the field ~ refused to quit and made a lot of tough throws over his career. Stepped up his leadership and maturity as a senior, making better decisions and setting a single season record for completion percentage (65%) in 2011.
Carries a lot of starting experience under his belt (35 career starts), becoming the first true freshman to start in the season opener for the Miami Hurricanes since 1983 (Bernie Kosar) ~ battled tested and been through a lot.
Weaknesses: Has a very lean frame with little bulk and carries some durability questions because of his slim size and also battled a concussion in 2010. Inconsistent footwork and mechanics, including a long, wind-up throwing motion.
Struggles with his timing and anticipation as a passer ~ doesn't recognize open targets and forces too many throws, appearing to predetermine many of his attempts. Doesn't look off defenders and too often stares down targets, leading defensive backs w/ his eyes and making it too easy for opposing secondaries.
Makes poor decisions and has questionable intelligence on the field ~ has a lot to prove with the mental aspect of the game. Inconsistent accuracy and touch and really struggles when forced to reset his feet.
Needs to do a better job of taking care of the ball in the pocket. His character could be a question mark also after a one-game suspension as a senior for accepting illegal benefits.
NFL Comparison: Jerrod Johnson, free agent (AFL, Arizona Rattlers)."
-- Dane Brugler
He initially won the starting quarterback job as a true freshman, but shared those duties with Robert Marve in 2008, going 118-for-194 (60.8%) for 1,195 yards, 12 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and 2 rush scores.
Harris had his best season in 2009 as a sophomore, starting all 13 games, and was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, finishing 242-for-406 (59.6%) for a career-high 3,352 yards, 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
He was the starter in 2010, but his junior season was derailed by a concussion late in the season, going 148-for-270 (54.8%) for 1,793 yards, 14 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and 2 rush scores.
Harris returned in 2011 and started 11 games as a senior, but was suspended for the season opener, finishing 195-for-300 (65.0%) for 2,574 yards, 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Harris arrived at Miami as part of a much heralded hometown recruiting class, but his career never matched the hype as he was a reckless passer most of his career. However, he steadily began to progress and make smarter decisions as a senior.
Harris has the arm, but is simply too inconsistent as he makes a good throw, but follows it up with a few head-scratchers and lacks the football IQ to be anything more than a long-term developmental project in the NFL.
His lanky frame and slim build will also cause durability concerns for the next level. Harris is an undrafted player with a lot of questions about whether or not he has what it takes between the ears.
***
Strengths: Possesses good height to see the whole field. An effortless thrower with very good arm strength to make passes downfield. Good all-around athlete with some escapability and speed to make plays with his legs.
Really improved his pocket presence to feel pressure as a senior. A tough individual and showed resolve on the field ~ refused to quit and made a lot of tough throws over his career. Stepped up his leadership and maturity as a senior, making better decisions and setting a single season record for completion percentage (65%) in 2011.
Carries a lot of starting experience under his belt (35 career starts), becoming the first true freshman to start in the season opener for the Miami Hurricanes since 1983 (Bernie Kosar) ~ battled tested and been through a lot.
Weaknesses: Has a very lean frame with little bulk and carries some durability questions because of his slim size and also battled a concussion in 2010. Inconsistent footwork and mechanics, including a long, wind-up throwing motion.
Struggles with his timing and anticipation as a passer ~ doesn't recognize open targets and forces too many throws, appearing to predetermine many of his attempts. Doesn't look off defenders and too often stares down targets, leading defensive backs w/ his eyes and making it too easy for opposing secondaries.
Makes poor decisions and has questionable intelligence on the field ~ has a lot to prove with the mental aspect of the game. Inconsistent accuracy and touch and really struggles when forced to reset his feet.
Needs to do a better job of taking care of the ball in the pocket. His character could be a question mark also after a one-game suspension as a senior for accepting illegal benefits.
NFL Comparison: Jerrod Johnson, free agent (AFL, Arizona Rattlers)."
-- Dane Brugler
"Possesses solid height for the position but is rail thin, lacks the girth to handle the rigors of playing quarterback in the NFL and is going to have a tough time staying healthy.
He possesses some confidence and savvy to his game working from under center and came a long way under offensive coordinator Mark Whipple during his first three years on campus.
Gets away quickly from under center with his initial first step, but struggles to settle himself quickly and fails to really transfer his weight from his back foot to front into throws.
Doesn't generate any type of torque from his lower half when trying to get the ball out quickly and too often uses his back foot as a balancer and will fall off his throw. Lacks ideal arm strength, doesn't spin a real consistent football and passes down the field really tend to hang on him.
Exhibits good touch in the intermediate pass game and when working from the shotgun, and when he can settle his feet he exhibits good touch and ball placement. On the other hand, anytime he has to drive the ball down the field, it takes far too long to come down and it gives defenders a chance to break on the play.
Does a better job keeping his balance in his lower half when on the run, but too often determines where he is going with the football pre-snap. Isn't a guy who can work his way through progressions across the field, and the coaching staff does a nice job letting him work off play action and giving him just a high/low read.
Exhibits a good feel in the pocket and will step up in the face of pressure, keeping his eyes down the field looking to throw. However, he lacks the ability to quickly decipher information and isn't a consistent decision maker.
Lacks great timing as well even when he sees the throw and too often needs to see receivers break open before he lets go of the pass.
Is involved in the Miami scandal, as his name has come up for supposedly taking improper benefits. However, his on the field character is high. He's a winner who has won in high school and was the first freshman QB to start a season at Miami since Bernie Kosar. Nevertheless, he has yet to get much stronger, hasn't improved his feel for the pass game and might not be willing to put in a ton of work off the field.
Impression: Lacks a great physical skill set and isn't a great decision maker. Doesn't seem to warrant anything more than a free agent grade at this stage."
He possesses some confidence and savvy to his game working from under center and came a long way under offensive coordinator Mark Whipple during his first three years on campus.
Gets away quickly from under center with his initial first step, but struggles to settle himself quickly and fails to really transfer his weight from his back foot to front into throws.
Doesn't generate any type of torque from his lower half when trying to get the ball out quickly and too often uses his back foot as a balancer and will fall off his throw. Lacks ideal arm strength, doesn't spin a real consistent football and passes down the field really tend to hang on him.
Exhibits good touch in the intermediate pass game and when working from the shotgun, and when he can settle his feet he exhibits good touch and ball placement. On the other hand, anytime he has to drive the ball down the field, it takes far too long to come down and it gives defenders a chance to break on the play.
Does a better job keeping his balance in his lower half when on the run, but too often determines where he is going with the football pre-snap. Isn't a guy who can work his way through progressions across the field, and the coaching staff does a nice job letting him work off play action and giving him just a high/low read.
Exhibits a good feel in the pocket and will step up in the face of pressure, keeping his eyes down the field looking to throw. However, he lacks the ability to quickly decipher information and isn't a consistent decision maker.
Lacks great timing as well even when he sees the throw and too often needs to see receivers break open before he lets go of the pass.
Is involved in the Miami scandal, as his name has come up for supposedly taking improper benefits. However, his on the field character is high. He's a winner who has won in high school and was the first freshman QB to start a season at Miami since Bernie Kosar. Nevertheless, he has yet to get much stronger, hasn't improved his feel for the pass game and might not be willing to put in a ton of work off the field.
Impression: Lacks a great physical skill set and isn't a great decision maker. Doesn't seem to warrant anything more than a free agent grade at this stage."
"Very narrowly built, indecisive scrambler who must clean his footwork, improve as a decision maker, and take better care of the ball.
The ball comes out of his hand with velocity and he has the arm talent to make all the throws, but he lacks poise in the pocket, has marginal field vision and too frequently forces the ball into coverage.
Has a slight frame that has not held up well and must commit to the weight room.
Also must become more nuanced to handle the complexity of the pro game.
Still very much a developmental prospect at this stage and will be adjusting to an NFL-style offense."
The ball comes out of his hand with velocity and he has the arm talent to make all the throws, but he lacks poise in the pocket, has marginal field vision and too frequently forces the ball into coverage.
Has a slight frame that has not held up well and must commit to the weight room.
Also must become more nuanced to handle the complexity of the pro game.
Still very much a developmental prospect at this stage and will be adjusting to an NFL-style offense."
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