| No. 47, 24 | |
| Safety | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: October 26, 1970 | |
| Place of birth: Columbus, Ohio | |
| Career information | |
| College: Ohio State | |
| NFL Draft: 1993 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38 | |
| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
* Atlanta Falcons ( 1993– 1995)
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| * 2× All-Big Ten (1992, 1993) | |
| Games played | 56 |
| Interceptions | 4 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Fumble recoveries | 1 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
Roger Michael Harper is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Ohio State University.
Early years[]
Harper attended Independence High School. As a senior wingback, he gained over 1,600 yards in total offense with an average of 16.5 yards-per-reception. He received All-Ohio honors and was awarded the James A. Rhodes Trophy.
He was also an All-state basketball player.
College career[]
He accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University. He became a starter as a sophomore, tying for the team lead with 3 interceptions, including returning a Drew Bledsoe pass for a 42-yard touchdown against Washington State University.
As a junior, he led the team with 4 interceptions. At the end of the season, he declared his intention to enter the NFL Draft.[1] He finished his college career with 118 tackles (75 solo) and 7 interceptions.
Professional career[]
Atlanta Falcons[]
Harper was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round (38th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was named the starter at strong safety in the fourth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He posted 112 defensive tackles (fifth on the team), 5 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed, 15 special teams tackles (fourth on the team) and was named to the NFL's All-rookie team.
In 1994, he was moved to free safety and suffered a fractured right forearm against the New Orleans Saints, causing him to miss the last 6 games.[2] He collected 57 tackles, 3 quarterback pressures, 3 passes defensed and one interception.
In 1995, he started the first 12 games at free safety, recording 77 tackles, 2 quarterback pressures, one interception and one forced fumble. On April 18, 1996, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth (#127-Juran Bolden) and a fifth round draft choice (#164-Gary Bandy).[3]
Dallas Cowboys[]
Harper missed the first 2 games of the 1996 season with a fracture in his right forearm, that he suffered during the Blue-White scrimmage in training camp.[4] After safety George Teague was signed in the preseason, he was used mostly on the nickel defense, posting 33 defensive tackles, 5 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 11 special teams tackles. He was released on August 17, 1997.
Green Bay Packers[]
On February 23, 1998, Harper was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers.[5] He was released on May 4.
BC Lions[]
In 1999, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
References[]
- ↑ "Hurricanes' Williams, Georgia's Hastings to enter NFL draft". https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/01/06/Hurricanes-Williams-Georgias-Hastings-to-enter-NFL-draft/8725726296400/. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Falcons Lose DB for Season". https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19941115&id=82swAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ojMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4372,4774772&hl=en. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Cowboys get Harper". https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19960419&id=7xRJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aQYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5285,2686501&hl=en. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Dallas Loses Another Player". http://newsok.com/article/2544939. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Sports Transactions". http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1998-02-25/sports/1998056077_1_western-maryland-johns-hopkins-second-10-day-contract. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
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