Ht – 6’0” Wt – 226lb Class – JR Age – 21
Career Statistics
2021 Stats – 80 Tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 0 INT, 3 PD, 2 FF (15 Games Played)
Career Stats – 220 Tackles, 26 TFL, 10 Sacks, 1 INT, 6 PD, 2 FF (30 Games Played)
Attribute Breakdown
Tackling – Wrap-up technique needs work. While he is a phenomenal tracker in space, he is an awful finisher. He missed many tackles at Alabama, and once in close quarters, he overcommits too often.
Physicality – Harris plays with top-end physicality and ferocity, but he doesn’t have the functional strength to match it. He could never bull-rush blockers, and he doesn’t pack a punch in his tackles.
Block Shedding – Doesn’t possess an expanded arsenal of block shedding, but he uses his vision to avoid being blocked. He maneuvers very well in space and tends to sift through blocks untouched. He also doesn’t have the power to blow through smaller blockers.
Blitzing – He is best as a patient blitzer/spy, rather than an immediate penetrator. He doesn’t have the pass-rush arsenal or the power to be a consistent threat in the backfield. On the other hand, with his elite vision, he is great at patiently waiting for a lane to open, and then exploding through it.
Football IQ – Harris is a natural football player. His instincts are off the charts, and his vision and feel for the game are top-notch. He processes plays perfectly and is always in the right spot.
Range & Speed – Although he isn’t very fast, his range is extended thanks to his vision and processing. He always gets a head-start, so he is hardly beat around the sideline.
Man Coverage – Confusing, to say the least. He has the requisite speed and football IQ to be a quality man coverage linebacker, but his ability to mirror receivers is problematic. He also struggles to locate the ball in the air and get his head turned, which led to many catches.
Zone Coverage – His football IQ is on full display in zone coverage, as his positioning and QB-reading are flawless. He is also one of the smoothest movers in this draft, rivaling Quay Walker. It’s as if his upper body is detached from his legs when he moves around, swiveling his lower half to redirect while keeping his torso toward the QB.
Combine – Harris had a good Combine showing, despite not participating in many drills. His 4.44 40 was surprisingly fast, and he measured in with plenty of weight as well.
Overall
Christian Harris is one of the rare under-discussed studs from a powerhouse college. Hailing from the mighty dynasty of Alabama, it’s hard to imagine why this defensive leader isn’t getting any 1st round draft buzz.
Despite his great size/speed combo and phenomenal football IQ, there isn’t much to get excited about. Granted, that is generally enough to form a great Pro-Bowl level player, but he isn’t as complete as the rest of the Linebackers in this class. His coverage skills are suspect, and his lack of functional strength is a serious issue.
After a great Combine, very good tape, and an outstanding Championship game, Christian Harris is one of the most undervalued players in this draft. He will be a steal.
See Christian Harris’s overall ranking among other players on my Big Board.
Check out all my scouting reports on my Author Page or follow my opinions and hot takes on Twitter!
Make sure to check out many more NFL articles at Belly Up Sports – NFL!
