By T.J. Turrisi
Meadville Tribune
EDINBORO —
With the 255th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select ... not Trevor Harris.
But the Edinboro University quarterback’s waiting was over at the same moment the final pick of the seventh round was made.
“My agent called me within one second
of the last pick saying Jacksonville had offered me a contract to sign as a free agent and he advised I should take it,” said Harris Saturday evening from the campus of his alma mater.
Harris was expecting to learn the location of his new NFL home Saturday, but the brevity in which he did so was unexpected and much-appreciated.
“I knew it was going to happen (Saturday) just because of the talks I’ve had and the interest from teams and the situation I am in,” he said. “Some teams had me high on their board. They said they didn’t think I would be around this late. I knew it would happen but wasn’t sure when. I thought it might be real late at night; I didn’t know how the process worked with free agency.”
Eighteen teams had contacted Harris via cell prior to the opening day of the draft to verify his information.
Jacksonville and New Orleans were the two Harris had done the most talking with coming down to the wire, while his agent, Glen Lansky, had spoken with a handful more on the third day.
“I think excited is an understatement,” Harris said. “I’m very blessed to be in the situation I am in. I owe a lot to my family, my coaches and the guys I have been blessed enough to play with. Certain people in my life have really pushed me toward my goals.
“I am just ecstatic to go to Jacksonville and show them they made a great choice in bringing me in.”
Harris was in Edinboro to watch and support younger brother Cody during spring ball on campus, followed by an EUP Sports Hall of Fame banquet later in the evening.
From there he will be spending some time back at home in Ohio before heading down to Florida to meet with his new team.
“I will just be rejoicing with my family and friends,” Harris said, “showing them I appreciate them being here for quite possibly one of the biggest days of my life.”
T.J. Turrisi can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 276 or by e-mail at tjturrisi@meadvilletribune.com.
