Re: Hill Watch...130 days!!!

CBProf®

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130 - Tennessee Titans Pick Jaimie Harper with Pick 130 of 2011 NFL Draft

Apr 23, 2024, 6:23 AM

After being promised the first play at Clemson, highly-touted RB Jamie Harper did not get off to an ideal start. Of note, Jamie Harper’s first game was a loss by #8 Clemson to an unranked Alabama team that would go undefeated in the regular season. ClemsonSportsTalk host Lawton Swann (and fellow TNetter “El Swann”) interviewed Harper years later and the two discussed Harper’s Clemson start:

On his first carry at Clemson:
"It goes back in history with Bowden being our head coach he always gives a superstar or high-class running back the first carry. Alabama knew that so the first play of the game we tried to do a play-action. They had good coverage on it. So the next play, we come to the line, and I hear a linebacker calling out, "It's gonna be a run, its gonna be a run." They pointed in the backfield. One thing led to another, and I dropped the ball. Literally, I just dropped the ball. It was a big play in the hole, and I didn't hold onto it and pretty much got benched the rest of the game. It was a humbling experience.”

https://clemsonsportstalk.com/s/146/former-clemson-tiger-jamie-harper-joins-clemson-sports-talk

According to Sports-Reference.com, the rest of Harper’s Clemson career went much smoother:

Jamie Harper (Clemson 2008-2010):
- 311 Carries for 1,311 Yards (4.2 Average)
- 12 Rushing Touchdowns
- 50 Receptions for 398 Yards (8.0 Average)
- 3 Receiving Touchdowns
- 6 Kick Returns for 70 Yards (11.7 Average)
- 1 Punt Return for 3 Yards (3.0 Average)

He also attempted 1 pass that went incomplete.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jamie-harper-1.html

After the 2010 season, Harper announced his plans to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. ClemsonTigers.com then provided additional information on his final season at Clemson:

“Harper was Clemson’s leader in rushing and all-purpose runner this year. The native of Jacksonville, FL had 197 carries for 760 yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 2010. He added 35 receptions for 328 yards and three touchdowns receiving, giving him 1088 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns for the season. The reception total was the third highest total for a running back in Clemson history.

Harper was Clemson’s second leading receiver in terms of receptions and tied for second in reception touchdowns. His 10 total touchdowns were second on the team behind Andre Ellington’s 12.

Harper had consecutive games with at least 140 yards rushing late in the season. He had 27 rushes for 143 yards at Florida State and 24 for 142 the next week at Wake Forest. He was the first Clemson back in five years to have consecutive games with at least 140 yards rushing.

He also had nine receptions for 54 yards against Florida State, giving him 197 yards from scrimmage against the Seminoles in Clemson’s narrow, 16-13, loss. The nine receptions were a single game Clemson record for a Clemson running back.”

https://clemsontigers.com/harper-to-turn-professional/

Included among Harper’s touchdown receptions was this highlight reel catch at Auburn (the eventual national champs) in 2010:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vqb5M9qaJk

Gotta believe that made Sportscenter’s Top 10 list!

After Clemson:

The Tennessee Titans selected Jamie Harper with the 130th pick (4th Round) of the 2011 NFL Draft. Harper played two seasons for the Titans. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Jamie Harper registered the following stats in the NFL:

Jamie Harper (NFL 2011-2012):
- 23 Games
- 36 Carries for 74 Yards (2.1 Average)
- 4 Rushing Touchdowns
- 5 Receptions for 40 Yards (8.0 Average)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarpJa01.htm

Interesting that Harper’s average yards per reception at Clemson was the same as it was in the NFL (although a very different sample size).

Message was edited by: CBProf®

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Hill Watch...130 days!!!