David Harris (American football)

David Charles Harris (born January 21, 1984) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets. He was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Jets. He played college football at Michigan.

High school career
Harris attended Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he excelled at football. At linebacker, he set a school record with 158 tackles as a junior, and earned all-state honors from the Detroit Free Press as a senior, and he also contributed as a fullback.

Harris also participated in track and field, and this combination of size and speed led him to become one of the states top prospects.

College career
Harris earned a scholarship with the University of Michigan Wolverines after his impressive high school career. However, he was forced to redshirt as a freshman due to a knee injury which nearly derailed his career. It would take nearly two years for Harris to fully recover, and only played sparingly as a redshirt freshman and sophomore.

It wouldn't be until his junior year that Harris finally became a full-time starter. He began to show signs of a future in the National Football League when he led the Wolverines in 2005 with 88 tackles, and 103 tackles as a senior. In 2006, he earned All-Big Ten honors, was Wolverines co-MVP with Mike Hart, and was a second team All-America selection by the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and Rivals.com.

National awards

 * 2006 Dick Butkus Award semifinalist

Conference honors

 * 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches) and Second Team (media)

Team awards

 * 2006 Michigan football team co-MVP with Mike Hart
 * 2005 & 2006 Roger Zatkoff Award

2007 NFL Draft
Harris was projected to go anywhere from the late-second round to the fourth round prior to the 2007 NFL Draft. However, he impressed scouts when he ran a 4.59 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. He drew interest from the New York Jets, due partially to new linebackers coach Jim Herrmann who had previously been defensive coordinator for Harris' Michigan Wolverines.

Harris was drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. The Jets sent their 2nd, 3rd, and 6th picks that year to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the Packers 2nd rounder to select Harris.

2007 season
On Sunday, October 28, 2007, Harris recorded his first NFL start, making 17 tackles (10 solo) and 1 sack in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills. Harris started in place of injured LB Jonathan Vilma who was placed on injured reserve after a knee injury. Harris made 24 tackles (20 solo) the following week against the Washington Redskins.

For the 2007 NFL season, Harris had 127 tackles, 5 sacks, and two forced fumbles despite only starting 9 games, and earned various all-rookie honors.

2008 season
In late February, the Jets traded MLB Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints, and Harris was named the starter at Inside linebacker for the 2008 season. Although an injury shortened season limited Harris to just 11 games, he still posted 87 tackles and 1 sack.

2009 season
Against the Houston Texans in the first week of the season, Harris finished with 11 tackles (six solo), one sack, and a deflected pass as the defense pitched a shutout. He also won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his play. In week three, as his team was only up seven points, he intercepted a Kerry Collins pass, and then followed that drive by sacking him on first down during the Tennessee Titans next series. Harris himself had 12 tackles, (ten solo). During the Jets' week six game against the Buffalo Bills, Harris recorded 17 tackles. In week 11 against division rivals, Harris recorded 13 tackles (ten solo) as he earned defensive play caller for the Jets that week.

Harris finished his season as the leading tackler on football's number one defense with 127 tackles. He also chipped in with five and a half sacks and two interceptions. In addition, he made second team all-pro.

2010 season
On January 16, 2011, Harris recorded his first career postseason interception in which he returned it for 58 yards against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round. Jets won 28-21 to advance to their second straight AFC Championship game. It was Tom Brady's first Interception in 11 games (340 pass attempts whithout an interception).

2011 season
Harris recorded 86 tackles, 5 sacks along with 4 interceptions in the 2011 season.

Personal Life
He currently resides in Parsippany, New Jersey. He is nicknamed The Hitman by New York Jets fans and media for his dominant play and hard-hitting tackles.