NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Victor ‘Macho’ Harris, CB, Virginia Tech by Jody Jamieson 7/2/2009
Sometimes something is not meant to be. So on the night Virginia Tech Hokies Head Coach Frank Beamer is coming to your house to visit you with a view to recruiting you to his football program, you pray that everything will go well. So when you pop into the shower prior to the visit (no-one wants to stink in front of a potential coach after all) and a fire breaks out in your kitchen, it’s time to jump into action. Harris’ mother had popped out and his younger siblings, aged 7 and 9, were the only ones in the house as a grease fire started. Harris sprinted into the room to put the fire out. He picked up the blazing pot, rushed to the back door, and managed to control the fire and save his house and his little brother and sister. He did suffer serious burns to both of his arms, but thankfully made a full recovery, and when the meeting with Beamer took place in the hospital instead of the front room of the house, Beamer shared memories of burns he suffered at the age of just 7 years old after a gas explosion. They shared a moment together that night that created a special bond that intensified a short time later, before Harris even took the field for VT.
Victor’s mother, just 10 days after, passed away after a seizure. Before the Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium in his last game before turning pro, Harris showed the tattoo on his left forearm just below the scars he bears from that night. He has a picture of his mother’s face with the inscription “My angel, my reason, my mother.” His initial concern were for those who needed him most, namely his brother and sister. Coach Beamer had met a young man who had shown great courage, compassion, and maturity at the age of just 18 years old.
Harris’ quick thinking on that potentially disastrous night were a prelude to a college career where Harris played corner with great instincts. After originally declaring for the 2008 Draft as a junior, Harris came back to school and showed why he was one of the best defensive backs in the country. Harris registered 15 interceptions in his 4 year college career (3 years as a starter) and will certainly be a first day selection in April. I can’t decide whether the assumption that he will be a Cover 2 corner will help or hinder his stock, but from watching VT this year, I think they’re selling this guy a little short. While I believe he will be brilliantly suited to a Cover 2 system, I think he can be equally as effective in man coverage. Harris is a ball hawk in the Asante Samuel sense and a physical corner in the Al Harris sense, which is an interesting combination. Whether he can reach the level of either of these two corners, we’ll just have to wait and see. I think he’ll be the best corner from this draft class, despite the fact he might end up the 5th or even 6th corner off the board in April.
What we like about Harris
Harris has great instincts and has great hands. He has the ability to not only intercept any loose pass in his direction, but take it back for six. Harris is a leader who displays great confidence both in the huddle on and the field. Will likely be used to return punts if he is drafted to a team without a return specialist. Very very athletic, very physical at the line and can deliver the bone jarring hit. Will also be a stud in run support.
Question marks about Harris
While he can knock you senseless with the big hit, he can be a boom or bust tackler. And while he has the ball hawking skills a lot of people like in a corner, he can be too over aggressive at times and will take chances. Has slight question marks about his technique. Many people like his ability to support in stopping the run, he still needs a lot of work in that area.
Highlight of his college career
A 20-7 win in his final game as a Hokie against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium. Harris displayed his versatility on two straight plays, getting into good position on zone defense to tackle the receiver and force an incompletion, then ran step for step with his receiver on a go route on the very next play and tipped the ball up in the air on a fabulous play. The loose ball was picked off by safety Kam Chancellor.
Other Snippets
Measured at 6′ 0″ and 194 pounds at VT. As always that wasn’t completely accurate, and he came in at 5′ 10″ and 186 pounds at the Senior Bowl. Voted first team All ACC in 2007 and 2008, and second team All American in 08. Will likely be a good fit in a Cover 2 system. Harris was an excellent return man in college, and could double up as a returner in the pros. Is currently tipped to be a second round selection, but can go anywhere from late first round to early third round.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Victor’s mother, just 10 days after, passed away after a seizure. Before the Orange Bowl at Dolphin Stadium in his last game before turning pro, Harris showed the tattoo on his left forearm just below the scars he bears from that night. He has a picture of his mother’s face with the inscription “My angel, my reason, my mother.” His initial concern were for those who needed him most, namely his brother and sister. Coach Beamer had met a young man who had shown great courage, compassion, and maturity at the age of just 18 years old.
