Steelers sign RB Josh Harris

[Shoes]

The team added rookie free agent Josh Harris from Wake Forest.

[GBMelBlount]

Explosive.

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Wake Forest running back Josh Harris hasn't created any real buzz as an NFL prospect this offseason, and rightfully so.

He was nearly declared inelligible for his senior season according to Chip Patterson of CBSSports.com, and Harris has suffered a number of injuries throughout his collegiate career.

As if the injuries and academic struggles weren't enough, Harris only rushed for 470 yards and four touchdowns on 125 carries in 2013.

According to his Twitter account, Harris ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at his pro day, and put up 28 reps on the bench press.

Keep in mind, he did this in less than perfect weather, as he found himself facing rain, sleet and snow outdoors while running. Assuming that these pro day reports are true, Harris may find his draft stock quickly on the rise heading into the draft.

Harris' 40 time would have placed him as the second-fastest running back at the combine behind Kent State running back Dri Archer, who ran a 4.26. His 28 bench reps would have been the second most at the combine as well, behind Georgia Southern running back Jerick McKinnon.

Now that Harris may have burst on the scene a bit heading into the draft, here are some other things you should know about him.

Harris' best collegiate season came as a redshirt freshman in 2010. He carried the ball 125 times for the Demon Deacons, amassing 728 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry that season, and rushed for 241 yards against Virgina Tech that year. Unfortunately for Harris, he was never able to quite replicate those numbers in the years to come.

In his sophomore season, Harris appeared in just nine games due to injury, according to his player profile on WakeForestSports.com. That season he carried the ball 101 times for 431 yards and three touchdowns. Over his final two seasons Harris played in 23 games, recording 262 carries for 1,078 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Harris was used out of the backfield primarily as a runner. He registered only 47 receptions for 304 yards, and never posted a receiving touchdown. He also has minimal experience returning kicks, with 11 career kick returns for 181 yards, good for an average of just 16.5 yards per return.

While he has had some explosive moments in his career, the fact that he never had a 1,000 yard rushing season, and has not been a big receiving factor out of the backfield could create some concern. And while he reportedly displayed explosive speed at his pro day, his poor kick return stats don't bode well for him as a return specialist.

It's hard to say what Harris could offer at the next level. His 4.6 yards per carry over his career is certainly a positive note, as he rushed for 2,230 yards in his career at Wake Forest. The fact that he wasn't invited to the combine says a little bit about what scouts think about him, or at least what they may have thought about him before his pro day performance.

Prospects hold their pro days for performances just like what Harris had. It's one last chance for them to make an impression on scouts and boost their draft stock one final time. If history is any indicator, Harris may have just propelled himself into draft talks, and could be selected higher than what was initially anticipated.


http://www.footballnation.com/conten...he-rise/28942/

[fansince'76]

Camp fodder.

[salamander]

Yeah, nothing but another camp body while Bell gets his week off for his groin(?).

[fansince'76]

Yeah, nothing but another camp body while Bell gets his week off for his groin(?).

Good point, I forgot about Bell - but I thought he tweaked his hamstring(?)

[salamander]

Good point, I forgot about Bell - but I thought he tweaked his hamstring(?)

Without actually looking, I'm not 100% sure. You're probably right. Groin/hamstring...same difference.

[tube517]

So, can this guy be a capable backup? Our options seem to be limited.

[Steelman]

We shoulda traded Blount back to the Pats for Jonas Gray.

[Dwinsgames]

Harris has some skills but a limited skill set , as a backup he is all you need provided the starter does not go down

[one side only]

http://www.steelers.com/video-and-au...a-18ee70663062

[Vis]

Sign him to your fantasy team fast. He'll be a star!

Or not.

[tube517]

Harris has some skills but a limited skill set , as a backup he is all you need provided the starter does not go down

Worse than Dwyer or Redman or similar level?

[Steeldude]

From what I read Harris' 40-time was 4.46. It's not bad, but not the 4.28 he claims on Twitter account.

[Steeltreal]

Hopefully Tomlin doesnt 'Crack the Bell' , like when he 'Ran the Wheels of Willie Parker'. Great performance but save some of that for late December.

[Shoes]

Happy to hear this young man will get a chance. Lets hope he can make an impact!

[Dwinsgames]

Worse than Dwyer or Redman or similar level?

hard to say for sure , Redman was from a tiny program and Dwyer's time at GT was anything but an NFL like system ...

Harris is of neither style but would have to sway more of a dwyer than a Redman but he is really neither ....

has some breakaway ability , not elite speed but plenty good enough vision is above average but not to Bells superior level ..

I think as a breather back he will be fine with 5-6 carries a game ( the average of what Blount got thus far )

If god forbid Bell goes down , I dunno

[one side only]

Can't believe he will be the only running back signed between now and the end of the season.

[86WARD]

There's still a bye week to assess and possibly sign a guy...

[Dwinsgames]

There's still a bye week to assess and possibly sign a guy...

yes ..could not have happened at a better time ( other than before the season started )

[fansince'76]

Harris is of neither style but would have to sway more of a dwyer than a Redman but he is really neither ....

So...no suddenness and glide?!?

[Dwinsgames]

So...no suddenness and glide?!?

does good vision count ?

[smokin3000gt]

Hopefully Tomlin doesnt 'Crack the Bell' , like when he 'Ran the Wheels of Willie Parker'. Great performance but save some of that for late December.

We didn't have a chance to run his wheels off before they got snapped off against the Ravens. He was burning everyone until he broke his leg. Lost his speed and never got it back after that.

[Mojouw]

Hopefully Tomlin doesnt 'Crack the Bell' , like when he 'Ran the Wheels of Willie Parker'. Great performance but save some of that for late December.

Bell is at 190 carries or so through 11 games. That puts him on a pace for less than 300 through the end of the regular season. The research shows that if you keep your back under 350 carries, the usage rate is sustainable. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/sta...ries-revisited. Other people have found a similar phenomena.

Let's hope that another back is identified that can help out.

[katmandu]

Can't believe he will be the only running back signed between now and the end of the season.

This sucks.

The Steeler's really NEED a big, bruising back to complement Bell, to beat up Defenses late in the game and for short yardage goal line stances.

BTW, isn't Harris from Jeanette, Pa ?

[Lady Steel]

[Mojouw]

This sucks.

The Steeler's really NEED a big, bruising back to complement Bell, to beat up Defenses late in the game and for short yardage goal line stances.

BTW, isn't Harris from Jeanette, Pa ?

Why? They had one and chose not to use him. Bell has proven himself in goal to go and short yardage situations.

All they need is a guy to give him a breather now and then and to keep his legs fresh.

Obviously, Bell represents a unique skill set that they will not replicate with a street free agent at this point in the season.

[86WARD]

yes ..could not have happened at a better time ( other than before the season started )

Hopefully they are looking into something better than what they have on the roster and practice squad. Say what you want about Blount, but they've definitely downgraded a lot, talent wise, at the position.

[Dwinsgames]

Hopefully they are looking into something better than what they have on the roster and practice squad. Say what you want about Blount, but they've definitely downgraded a lot, talent wise, at the position.

but upgraded the locker room , lot can be said for team chemistry and comradery

[86WARD]

Yes. But on-field is what I'm most worried about if Bell goes down...

Michael Bush, Brian Leonard, McGAYHee are still available. Mendenhall? Lol...

[katmandu]

Why?

INSURANCE.

Bell goes down, they're FUKT !