Does this small school Sleeper destined to be a Steeler ?

[diamondlucy]

Good morning fans. And welcome to day 3 of the draft. I wanted everyone's opinion on this kid. A small School sleeper, who's game is anything but Small time. Okay, we need a ILB
right ? So, please tell me what you think of this young man. And if anyone has ever heard of him. To me, he seems like a Heat seeking rocket on the field. Tell me, would any here spend a Day 3 pick on him ? Thanks.



http://www.draftblaster.com/2017-NFL-Draft/schools/lindenwood/connor-harris-ilb/

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Lance Zierlein's analysis:

Overview

Some guys are born to play football. Harris was a lightly-recruited player whose only FBS scholarship offer (Kansas) came after he committed to the Lions. Now, he's the NCAA All-Division record holder with 633 career tackles. The first-team All-American and 2016 Cliff Harris Award award winner as the top defender in Divisions II, III and NAIA was a three-time first-team All-Midwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) pick. Harris was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection as a true freshman (126 tackles, eight for loss, four pass breakups), but then had to redshirt the 2013 season with a shoulder injury (33 tackles in three games). He was a captain for the first of three seasons in 2014 (152 tackles, 4.5 TFL, two interceptions), and the conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a junior with 184 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and seven pass breakups. He capped his career by setting the tackles record and winning numerous All-American honors (138 stops, 8.5 TFL, two INT -- one for a score). Harris also contributed as a running back (50-328, seven TD) and punter (38.8 average, six downed inside the 20-yard line in 2016) during his career.

Analysis

Strengths

Voracious appetite for tape. Elite tackle production. Tremendous leadership traits. Instinctive with immediate response to keys. Can race ahead of linemen. Has instant stop/start quickness and change of direction ability. Always attacking downhill. Looks to attack blockers early to disrupt the timing of the run play. Played quarterback and safety in high school and has the quickness in space to cover running backs out of backfield. Gym rat with good power throughout his tightly muscled frame. Burst to the ball puts him in position to make plays. Body-up tackler who finishes what he starts. Can play all three downs.

Weaknesses

Somewhat stubby frame with a lack of length. Unable to keep linemen off of him with punch and shed. Will get engulfed if he sits and waits. Straight-line attacker missing some fluidity of motion to consistently match the flow of a play. Square shouldered and unable to work body around blocks and through some crevices. Scouts question whether his production can hold up against elevated level of competition. Quicker than fast.

Draft Projection

Round 5-6


Sources Tell Us

"He's a good player. He's a Division I player who happens to play Division II. I don't think he ever gets tired because he is always in on plays or right there next to them." -- NFC college scouting director

NFL Comparison

Chris Borland

Bottom Line

Rock 'em, sock 'em linebacker with an inextinguishable motor and the instant quickness and burst to thrust himself into tackle after tackle. Harris is a willing chance-taker who fires downhill and into creases looking to make the impact play, but his lack of length and straight-line style of play could limit his effectiveness on the next level. With his instincts, quickness and nose for the ball as a tackler, Harris should find a spot on the linebacker depth chart and has a chance to be a kick-coverage winner. -Lance Zierlein

[diamondlucy]

Thanks for finding and posting that. I know it is just one persons write up but, he sure seems like he Loves the game, puts the study time in, and like it said, he plays hard on the field. So, you think he would be a good option for us today at some point ?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Maybe a late round flyer ... I'm wondering, would he be any better than Matakevich, or is he basically the same guy? Someone like Javancy Jones might have more upside.

[diamondlucy]

Maybe a late round flyer ... I'm wondering, would he be any better than Matakevich, or is he basically the same guy? Someone like Javancy Jones might have more upside.

I actually predicted Javancy in my Mock...so I guess I HOPE that comes true for my ego

[RuthlessBurgher]

I had ILB Connor Harris from Lindenwood as a 4th round pick in my 3rd mock draft back on 2-24-17 (before we lost Timmons to free agency and before the comp picks were even announced). I'd be happy with that pick at this point of the draft...sure.

http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/showthread.php/46368-RuthlessBurgher-s-Initial-Offseason-Mock-Draft-1-0-prior-to-the-Super-Bowl/page8