Iowa football's defensive back Jermari Harris has signed with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted.
Here is a look at Harris' path to this moment.
What Jermari Harris brings to the Titans
In a college career that featured ups and downs, Harris made his first major impact for the Hawkeyes during his third season with the program.
Harris appeared in 13 games as a redshirt sophomore, six of which were starts. He recorded 34 tackles and intercepted four passes.
Harris was arrested on an OWI charge in April leading up to the 2022 season. He also underwent a medical procedure in September. Harris didn't play the entirety of the 2022 season.
Harris missed the first two games of the 2023 season as well after facing another suspension due to his involvement in the state of Iowa's sports wagering investigation. Upon his return, Harris started the final 12 games of the 2023 season. He notched a career-high 42 tackles, along with one interception.
That led to Harris' breakout 2024 season.
In his sixth season in the Iowa program, Harris developed into a legitimate lockdown cornerback in college football. In 10 games, all starts, Harris recorded three interceptions, one of which he took back for a touchdown.
Harris' final appearance as a Hawkeye came against UCLA as he missed the last three games of the 2024 season.
Iowa has a reputation for churning out productive defensive backs to the professional ranks, including Riley Moss and Cooper DeJean, in recent years. Harris was in the Iowa program with both of those players.
Harris also had the benefit of learning from Iowa defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Phil Parker for a lengthy stretch.
Harris wasn't as highly-regarded as Moss or DeJean. But could he become the next Iowa cornerback to succeed at the NFL level?
Jermari Harris scouting report
Lance Zierleinof NFL.com wrote the following evaluation of Harris:
Overview
"Harris is a long-framed cornerback who majored in zone coverages at Iowa. He plays with instinctive eyes and good ball skills when moving forward. However, he falls well below the mark for top-end speed and is not built for extensive man coverage. He’s leggy in his change of direction and needs better technique as a wrap-up tackler. When healthy, he’s been a quality starter, but his age, timed speed and the perception he’s a 'zone only' corner could work against him."
Strengths
- Good route recognition to jump the break.
- Instinctive and long, which helps him take the ball away or break up the pass.
- Works to a playmaking angle as a short zone defender.
- Calm feet with the ability to play and drive without a stall.
- Long-strider who can stay in phase with vertical routes.
- Can discard blocking receivers.
Weaknesses
- Showed troubling lack of speed at his pro day.
- Tightness in hips slows ability to respond to cross-face routes.
- Too top-heavy to gather quickly on comebacks from his side shuffle.
- Lacks twitchy lateral movements as an open-field tackler.
- Too much shoulder lead rather than clean wrap-ups.
- Will turn 25 years old in September.
Jermari Harris highlights
Height and weight
- Height: 6’ 0 1/2’’
- Weight: 191 lbs.
Jermari Harris stats at Iowa
- Career: 42 games played, 105 tackles and eight interceptions.
- 2024 season: 27 tackles and three interceptions.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X@Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
