Tag: Marcus Harris

Watch: Highlights of new Texans DL Marcus Harris

The Houston Texans have secured a defensive lineman with the addition of Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris. Take a look at his highlights here!

Marcus Harris is coming to the backfield near the AFC. Test him at your will, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson

The Houston Texans secured a defensive tackle with the selection of Harris at pick No. 247 in the 2024 NFL draft. The Auburn alum has been a sturdy defensive tackle on The Plains for three seasons under multiple coaching staff.

After starting his career at Kansas, the 6-foot-2 Alabama native elected to return home.  He played in 37 games for the Tigers over three seasons and finished his tenure with 97 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.

Harris is coming off arguably the best season of his career after recording 40 total tackles. He led the Tigers in tackles for a loss with 11 and finished first in sacks with seven, respectfully. He also earned All-SEC second-team honors.

Last month in Indianapolis for the combine, Harris posted a 5.06 40-yard dash, a 29.5-inch vertical jump, and an 8-foot-7 broad jump. He also repped 225 pounds on the bench press 27 times.

The Texans continue to bolster their defense. Houston added Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter with its first pick at No. 42 and later traded up for USC safety Calen Bullock at pick No. 78. On Day 3, the Texans added Oregon linebacker Jamal Hill with pick No. 188 and USC defensive end Solomon Byrd at Pick No. 237.

Here’s what Texans fans can expect from Harris entering his rookie season.

Houston Texans draft Marcus Harris with 7th round pick

Harris joins Justin Rogers in finding a new home in Texas.

Not only will Auburn have two representatives in Seattle next season in [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag], but two more former Tigers will also have two former players heading to the Lone Star State.

Former defensive lineman [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] was taken in the 7th round at No. 244 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Just three picks later, the Houston Texans used their 7th-round pick on fellow lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag].

Harris was the No. 247 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and the fifth former Tiger taken on day three of the event. Harris becomes the first Auburn player to be selected by Houston since the Texans chose [autotag]Jay Prosch[/autotag] with the No. 211 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Harris is just the third former Tiger to be drafted by the Houston Texans, joining Prosch and [autotag]Ben Tate[/autotag] (2010).

NFL.com says that Harris will make up for his lack of size (6-2, 286) by being explosive and with great instincts.

Harris punches above his weight class in the strength department, utilizing upper-body power and lower-body balance to fight the good fight. He’ll get moved around by bigger bodies, but he’s relentless and has the athleticism to find his way back into plays.

Nehemiah Pritchett began the day by being drafted in the 5th round by the Seattle Seahawks. DJ James followed suit in the 6th round. Jaylin Simpson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 5th round while Justin Rogers was taken in the 7th round by the Dallas Cowboys.

Texans select DL Marcus Harris with 247th overall pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Houston Texans have secured a defensive lineman with the addition of Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris.

The Houston Texans have made their seventh selection in the 2024 NFL draft, picking Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris at No. 247. Harris has been a sturdy defensive tackle on The Plains for three seasons under multiple coaching staff.

Harris is coming off arguably the best season of his career after recording 40 total tackles. He led the Tigers in tackles for a loss with 11 and finished first in sacks with seven, respectfully.

Last month in Indianapolis for the combine, Harris posted a 5.06 40-yard dash, a 29.5-inch vertical jump, and an 8-foot-7 broad jump. He also repped 225 pounds on the bench press 27 times. Heading into Auburn’s Pro Day on March 22,

The Texans continue to bolster their defense. Houston added Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter with its first pick at No. 42 and later traded up for USC safety Calen Bullock at pick No. 78. On Day 3, the Texans added Oregon linebacker Jamal Hill with pick No. 188 and

The Athletic projects James, Pritchett to be taken in the third round of the NFL draft

In its Round 2 and 3 mock draft, The Athletic forecasts two former Tigers to find professional homes on Friday.

Opening night of the NFL draft is behind us, and the SEC was well represented in the first round as 10 former players within the conference were taken by professional teams.

Could Auburn have their first representative selected on day two? Dane Brugler of The Athletic thinks so.

Following the action of the first round, Brugler released his NFL rounds 2 and 3 mock draft which included two former Tigers. Brugler projects former cornerbacks [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] to hear their names called within the early stages of round three. James is forecasted to join the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the third round, No. 65 overall. At the same time, Pritchett is projected to be taken by the Washington Commanders two picks later at No. 67 overall.

Both players see a jump in projection from Brugler’s last mock draft released on April 17. James was forecasted to go No. 97 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals while Pritchett was expected to be taken with the No. 105 pick by the Los Angeles Chargers. Former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag] also jumped after Brugler’s projections showed him going to the Los Angeles Rams in the second round. Nix was chosen No. 12 overall by the Denver Broncos during last night’s first-round coverage.

Outside of James and Pritchett, two other former Tigers are expected to be taken during the final day of the NFL draft. Safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] is projected to be taken No. 133 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars according to Brugler’s April 17 mock draft while defensive lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] is expected to go No. 170 overall to the New Orleans Saints.

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Auburn transfer Philip Blidi among college football’s ‘best transfer fits’

Blidi will be given the task of replacing Marcus Harris on the Auburn defensive line.

Auburn football has worked diligently to fill needs along its defensive line for the 2024 season and has landed a solid addition in [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag].

Blidi joins Auburn’s roster after making 30 tackles last season at Indiana. Auburn will need to replace outgoing star [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] on the front, and Blidi will look to develop into a solid contributor to the Tigers’ defense.

The spring transfer portal window remains open through the end of this month, but CBS Sports is already calling the Blidi-Auburn connection one of the best “fits.”

Will Backus of CBS Sports has listed the six best fits within the transfer portal, including Blidi’s commitment to Auburn.

Defensive tackle is a huge position of need for a lot of hopeful contenders in the spring window, so props to Auburn for going out and getting one of the best before another program could swoop in. The Tigers are looking to replace All-SEC performer Marcus Harris and — while Blidi isn’t a ready-made successor — he’ll certainly help in that regard. Blidi spent the first three years of his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana in 2023 and emerging as a starter. He graded out as one of the Hoosiers’ best run-stuffers while tallying 30 tackles and four tackles for loss from the interior.

Auburn has added two more defensive linemen from the transfer portal, [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] and [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag]. The Tigers are looking to add more defensive aid and another wide receiver to its spring transfer haul.

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Four-star California WR Marcus Harris includes Texas in Top 5 schools

The No. 1 WR in California named Texas one of his top five schools.

Texas is in the hunt for the best wide receiver in California. Four-star wideout Marcus Harris named the Longhorns one of his top five schools.

The Mater Dei talent continues Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s push to bring the best players from California to Austin. The recruiting strategy has helped the Longhorns capitalize on national brand power rather than rely solely on in-state players.

Harris is a jump ball target with the speed to separate from opposing defensive backs. He’s not afraid to use his frame to impose on opposition. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 and 180 pound measurements would indicate. Harris’ knack for high pointing the football and finding the end zone make him a good addition to his next team.

Harris appears to have an affinity for SEC football. He is set to choose between SEC powerhouses Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, a new SEC addition in Texas and a lone Big Ten program in Oregon.

Photos: The best images from Auburn’s 2024 Pro Day

A total of 17 players participated in front of scouts from 31 NFL franchises on Friday.

The NFL draft is next month, and several Auburn players had the chance to make one final impression in front of NFL scouts at Friday’s Pro Day at the Woltosz Football Performance Center at Auburn University.

Auburn’s Pro Day had 17 participants including [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], and [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag]. Several highlights from Friday’s workout include Marcus Harris’ 34 bench press reps, Jaylin Simpson’s 40-inch vertical, and [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag]’s 4.52 40-yard dash.

Here are some of the best images from Auburn’s Pro Day workout courtesy of Jake Crandall of The Montgomery Advertiser.

Photos: Auburn’s 2024 NFL scouting combine participants

Simpson and Pritchett are two of five Tigers who have spent the last week showcasing their talents in Indianapolis.

Many prospects flocked to Indianapolis, Indiana last week to participate in the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, including five former Auburn Tigers.

Defensive backs [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] joined defensive linemen [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] by competing in several drills and interviews throughout the week.

James, Simpson, and Pritchett caught the attention of many this week due to their speed while Rogers and Harris showcased their strengths.

Here is a look back at Auburn’s week at the NFL scouting combine,

Five Tigers receive invites to NFL Combine

Four Auburn seniors and one junior defensive lineman have been invited to compete in the upcoming NFL Combine.

Five Auburn Tigers have received an invitation to the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Defensive backs [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] along with defensive linemen [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] will perform in front of NFL scouts and coaches during the final week of February.

The senior Harris and junior Rogers will compete with other defensive linemen and linebackers in individual drills on Thursday, February 29, while the trio of senior defensive backs will take the field a day later on Friday, March 1.

Harris and Simpson were the clear stars of a solid Auburn defense last season and could play their way into the early Day 2 conversation, while DJ James seems like a lock to be drafted sometime between the third and fourth rounds.

Senior [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] should be a lock for the third or fourth round as well, although his injury history could sway some teams in other directions.

Auburn’s most intriguing prospect is junior Justin Rogers. The Kentucky transfer collected 17 tackles and 1 sack in his lone year on the Plains but profiles as a late 5th-round pick because of his large 6-foot-3, 346-pound frame and quickness from the interior line.

If all five Tigers competing in the combine get drafted, it would tie the 2023s class as the most Auburn alumni picked in the draft since 2020.

There is a possibility that non-combine invitees [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag] hear their names called on Day three as well. If that were the case, Auburn’s seven draft day selections would be the most since 1989.

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Auburn DL coach Jeremy Garrett to take on similar role with Jacksonville Jaguars

Garrett returns to the NFL ranks after spending one season on the Plains.

Just when we thought Auburn’s coaching staff had been finalized for the 2024 season, an unforeseen wrench was thrown into the plan.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Friday that Auburn defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] is expected to bolt to the NFL to take on a similar role with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The move will be Garrett’s second time as an NFL assistant coach, as he served as an assistant defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2020-21. He returned to the college ranks in 2022 as a part of Hugh Freeze’s staff at Liberty before making the move to Auburn in 2023.

[autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] are the two notable defensive linemen who were the most productive under Garrett’s leadership in 2023, his lone season at Auburn. Harris recorded 40 total tackles and led the team with seven sacks. Faulk as a true freshman made 36 tackles with a sack and a pass deflection.

Auburn’s defense ranked 12th in the SEC in total tackles last season with 752 total, and finished No. 7 in sacks with 31. Auburn defensive linemen contributed 160 tackles and 12 sacks to that total.

Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has reeled in defensive upgrades to his staff such as [autotag]DJ Durkin[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Kelly[/autotag] this offseason. Who will Freeze talk with about filling the recent vacancy on his staff?

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