Arlen Harris had just turned in a dazzling performance in the Paradise Bowl, when he was approached by a group of NFL scouts. They had just watched the 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back rush for 53 yards on six carries and turn a short swing pass into a 10-yard touchdown run on which Harris made four defenders miss.
“They asked me how many yards I ran for last season,” said Harris. “I told them I didn’t play last year. Some of them just walked away. Some of them looked at their clipboards and started asking more questions.”
Harris could turn out to be the feel-good story of this weekend’s NFL Draft. A former prep All-American at Downingtown (Pa.) High School, Harris played two seasons at Virginia before Al Groh bolted the Jets to become the head coach of his alma mater.
Five games into Groh’s first season, he decided to go with the players he recruited. In one week, Harris went from the team’s starting running back to the scout team’s starting running back.
“I’ve been playing football since I was eight and that was the first practice I missed,” said Harris. “Coach Groh called me to his office the next day and I asked him, ‘Can you look me in the eye right now and tell me I’m not the best back you have?’ He said, ‘No.’ But he had made a decision to go with his guys. I dedicated the rest of the season to busting up the first-team defense.”
Harris transferred to Hofstra for his senior season, a season that would never be. In the red tape of NCAA transfer rules, Harris was unable to gain eligibility. On three occasions he practiced the entire week with the Pride, hoping that a phone call would come on Friday clearing him to play.
Because he wasn’t eligible, Harris couldn’t even stand on the sidelines during games. He took a job delivering mail on campus to support his wife Heather and their two-year-old daughter, Caeli. Harris is six credits shy of graduating with a double major in Psychology and Graphic Design.
Before he puts those degrees to work, Harris hopes to be working on Sundays. Several draft guru’s list Harris as the top running back sleeper in the draft. He’s worked out for 12 teams. The Colts, Ravens, Texans and Eagles all called this week to make sure they have Harris’ correct phone numbers.
“He’s probably the most talented football player I coached in my 21 years,” said former Downingtown High coach John Barr. “His quickness. His starting and stopping ability. His acceleration. He would just dazzle people at times.”
