2009.04.26
Tech's Macho Harris taken by Eagles in fifth round
Virginia Tech cornerback Macho Harris was selected in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's second day of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Harris was the 157th player taken in the 256-player draft. Harris was projected to go earlier in the draft, but his poor showing at the NFL combine in February sparked a slip down the board. Harris, a second-team All-American last season, was the 24th defensive back taken in the draft.
Harris, who is 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, hurt his draft stock at the February NFL combine with a poor 4.68 time in the 40. He did, however, improve on Tech's Pro Day on March 19 when he was clocked at 4.5.
Because of his lack of speed, Harris may wind up playing up free safety for the Eagles.
Harris was the only Tech player chosen. Defensive end Orion Martin, who was highly confident he would be drafted at midweek, failed to get picked. Martin figures to join fellow seniors off last season's team such as quarterback Sean Glennon and center Ryan Shuman among players who will receive invitations to NFL camps as free agents in the next 24-48 hours.
With only Harris being picked, it ended a 16-year run of at least two Hokies being selected in the draft. Tech had had multiple players picked in the annual draft every season since 1993, when no Hokies were chosen.
Tech had eight players selected last year, one short of the program record of nine selections in 2006. Tech also had eight players picked in 2002.
-- RANDY KING
That would be fantastic if Sean Glennon made a regular season roster. Although I'm a UVa alum, I'm rooting for Glennon!
Comment by Nelson — May 3, 2009 @ 5:17 am
The Macho Harris situation says a couple of things.
One -- NFL teams rely too much on one 40-yard time. Harris is a proven big-play defensive back and return man. One poor time shouldn't negate all of what he's accomplished on the field.
Two -- Speaking of what's accomplished on the field. It is a testament to the job Coach Beamer and his staff has done considering how much was lost the previous season and how young the '08 squad was. It wasn't always pretty, but the job got done and the stage is set for a potentially special '09.
Comment by Bob — May 5, 2009 @ 10:46 am