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Last Wednesday, Boston College held their pro day while powerhouse schools Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC and Georgia all showcased their top players across the country on the same day.
While Zac Taylor was at Ohio State and others were at Notre Dame, members of Taylor’s coaching staff made the trip to Boston College to check out one of their best prospects, per Tony Pauline of draftanalyst.com.
Safety Will Harris also stood on his outstanding combine numbers, and he too looked terrific in position drills. Harris met with defensive backs coaches from the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants as well as the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a deep safety class, Harris is probably not going to be selected with a premium draft pick. The three-year starting strong safety was voted as a team captain in his senior year in 2018, but his most productive season came in 2017 when he tallied 45 solo tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two passes defended and four fumble recoveries.
A terrific NFL combine performance following a solid Senior Bowl showing should see Harris go off the boards in the middle rounds, which is the highest the Bengals should take a safety.
Boston College has a few other prospects that should get drafted before Harris. Defensive lineman Zach Allen looks like a scheme versatile 5-technique defensive end with excellent length, speed and a motor that’s unmatched. His production isn’t too shabby either. Allen and guard Chris Lindstrom, who put together a fantastic Senior Bowl alongside Allen, figure to hear their names called sometime early in the second round.
Harris isn’t the only defensive back the Bengals could’ve been focusing on. Fellow safety Lukas Denis and cornerback Hamp Cheevers will both enter the NFL with great production but lackluster athleticism, making them likely late-round prospects. Running back A.J. Dillon, who ran for nearly 2,700 yards in just two seasons, also fits that projection, that is if he does end up getting drafted.