A.J. Harris CB Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
A.J. Harris CB Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/08/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 19.6 DOB: 11/11/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 05/08/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | |
| Age: 19.6 DOB: 11/11/2005 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 87.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 76.6 | |
| Tackling: |
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71% |
| Run Defense: |
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76% |
| Coverage: |
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89% |
| Zone: |
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84% |
| Man/Press: |
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87% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Late
Overall Rank:
#32
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 21 College Snaps: 818 | ||
ESPN RATING: 87/100
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| T.J. Tampa - Iowa State |
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99% |
| Trey Amos - Ole Miss |
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96% |
| Shavon Revel Jr. - East Carolina |
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87% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A.J. Harris burst onto the national radar as a five-star high school phenom, dominating the Alabama high school circuit before a brief stop at Georgia in 2023. The Phenix City product brought military discipline to his game – no surprise given his father's service background that had young Harris spending part of his childhood in Germany. After transferring to Happy Valley, Harris immediately seized a starting role and established himself as one of the Big Ten's premier shutdown artists, starting 15 of 16 games while earning All-Big Ten third team honors in his sophomore campaign. His journey from Central High School standout (where he tallied 52 tackles and 3 INTs as a senior) to Penn State cornerstone happened virtually overnight.The 6'1", 191-pound corner (born August 2004) carries a rare blend of physicality and finesse that translated immediately to the college game. His impact was felt most dramatically during Penn State's "White Out Energy" showdown with Illinois, where his fourth-quarter route-jump interception (returned for a touchdown before being called back on penalty) sealed a crucial conference victory. That moment embodied Harris's game – anticipatory instincts meeting explosive athleticism. Throughout his sophomore season, he accumulated 48 tackles, 4 TFLs, an interception, and 5 pass breakups while establishing himself as a cornerstone of Penn State's defensive backfield. What makes Harris special isn't just the numbers but the circumstances – stepping into a secondary with massive shoes to fill, he exceeded expectations almost immediately.
Harris's multi-sport background shines through in his fluid movements and explosive bursts. As a track athlete who posted 11.4-second 100-meter times and a 40-inch vertical jump in high school, his athletic profile translates directly to cornerback play. His versatility goes beyond defense – at Glenwood High he was a three-phase weapon who scored touchdowns as a rusher, receiver, and return man. That well-rounded athletic foundation explains why Harris's transition to high-level college football appeared seamless, and why NFL scouts are already circling his name despite being just a junior.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses ideal NFL corner frame with 6'1" height and muscular build that allows him to match up with bigger receivers without sacrificing fluidity in his transitions or backpedal.
- Demonstrates elite press technique with powerful initial jam that disrupts timing – watch his work against UCLA where he consistently redirected receivers and forced the quarterback to look elsewhere.
- Shows exceptional route recognition skills with anticipatory triggers; jumps underneath routes with calculated aggression as evidenced by his game-changing interception against Illinois.
- Brings ferocious run support appetite rarely seen in corners with his coverage skills; attacks downhill with controlled violence and welcomes contact on the perimeter.
- Displays remarkable recovery speed when occasionally beaten, closing separation windows with explosive burst that turns potential completions into difficult contested catches.
- Operates with veteran-level confidence and swagger; plays with the demeanor of someone who's watched every tendency of the receiver he's matched against.
- Transitions from backpedal to sprint with minimal wasted motion; maintains balance through breaks with textbook footwork that eliminates false steps in his coverage.
- Brings special teams value from his high school days; blocked kicks and return experience showcase his complete football understanding and overall athletic package.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can be overly physical beyond the five-yard contact zone, leading to potential penalties at the next level where officials scrutinize defensive back contact more severely.
- Shows occasional overaggression jumping routes; NFL quarterbacks will manipulate his attacking instincts with pump fakes and double moves if not disciplined.
- Tackling technique needs refinement despite willingness; drops his head occasionally and relies too much on shoulder strikes rather than wrapping securely through contact.
- Zone awareness still developing; can get caught watching the quarterback too long in spot-drop zones rather than feeling receivers entering and exiting his area.
- Needs to improve ball skills to convert more pass breakups into interceptions; hands appear adequate but not exceptional when competing at the catch point.
Scouting Report: Summary
Harris has true CB1 potential written all over his game. His blend of size, physicality, and fluid athleticism makes him scheme-versatile, though he'll thrive in systems that allow him to press at the line and disrupt timing. The Penn State junior shows all the traits of a boundary corner who can neutralize an opponent's top target while providing stout run support. His competitive demeanor jumps off the tape – this isn't a corner who shies away from contact or takes plays off when the ball goes elsewhere.Defensive coordinators who emphasize aggressive man coverage will pound the table for Harris on draft day. His skill set aligns perfectly with teams built around pressuring quarterbacks and forcing quick decisions against tight coverage. What separates Harris from other athletic corners is his football intelligence – the way he processes route combinations and trigger points shows a cerebral approach that will translate immediately to NFL complexity. His ceiling comparison is James Bradberry with more physicality against the run.
If Harris continues his development trajectory through his junior season, he could finally break Penn State's bizarre drought of first-round defensive backs. His profile suggests a player who will excel at the combine, interview impressively with teams, and ultimately hear his name called in the first round. Harris can be a day-one starter capable of handling diverse assignments against today's sophisticated passing attacks while bringing added value on special teams and as a run defender.
How other scouting services rate A.J. Harris (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
32.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
5.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.