Michael Harris (offensive lineman)

Mike Harris

refer to caption Harris in the 2015 NFL season.
No. 79 Minnesota Vikings
Position:	Guard
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1988-12-05) December 5, 1988
Place of birth:	Oakland, California
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Duarte (CA)
College:	UCLA
Undrafted:	2012
Career history
San Diego Chargers (2012–2013) Minnesota Vikings (2014–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 48 Games started: 33 Player stats at NFL.com

Michael Cory Harris (born December 5, 1988) is an American football guard for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2012.

Early years

Harris lettered four years in football at Duarte High School in Duarte, California for coach Wardell Crutchfield as an offensive and defensive tackle. He was a second-team All-Montview League selection as a junior after totalling 57 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery on defense and 20 pancake blocks on offense. As a senior, he was credited with 86 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and 34 pancake blocks, helping lead his team to a 10-3 record and to the third round of the CIF playoffs. He was chosen MVP Lineman of the Year in the Montview League. He was also named first-team All-State (Small Schools) by Cal-Hi Sports and was selected to the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley team.

Harris was also member of the ″1000 pound Weightlifting Club″ at his school and lettered four years in basketball (center) and three years in track & field (shot put).

Rated as the No. 27 offensive guard nationally and the No. 5 offensive guard in the state of California by Scout.com. He was regarded as a three-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.

College career

In 2008, he was hampered by a sprained ankle early in the season but he made outstanding progress down the stretch and was the Offensive winner of UCLA's Captain Don Brown Memorial Award for Most Improved Player.

In 2009, he started all 13 games at right tackle, one of three linemen to accomplish that feat . He played virtually every snap of each game and was on the field for at least 56 snaps in each contest and was Offensive co-winner of UCLA's Captain Don Brown Memorial Award for Most Improved Player.

In 2011, Harris started in all 14 games at tackle and played virtually every offensive snap on the season. Harris has developed steadily during his career and was a starter in parts of all four seasons. He finished his career with 42 career starts along the Bruin offensive line.

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

File:Michael Harris (American football).JPG

Harris in 2012.

Harris had his first-career start on ESPN’s Monday Night Football against the Oakland Raiders when injuries kept incumbent starter Jared Gaither off the field during training camp. Harris had an inconsistent rookie season but he ended up playing in 15 games with nine starts. On October 9, 2013, Harris was placed on IR. He had started 3 games in 2013.

Harris was released on August 30, 2014.

Minnesota Vikings

Harris signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 31, 2014. On March 9, 2016, Harris re-signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Personal

His biggest thrill in sports was catching a screen pass for a touchdown in his junior season at Duarte and lists former NFL star Jonathan Ogden as the player he admires the most.

External links

• Michael Harris on Twitter
• San Diego Chargers bio
• UCLA Bruins bio Archive copy at the Wayback Machine