Orien Harris

Orien J. Harris (born June 3, 1983) is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Miami, where he was a part of the 2001 National Championship team; considered by many to be the greatest college football team of all time.^[1]

Harris was also a member of the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions. He then played for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League (UFL) and won the UFL Championship Game in 2011.^[2]

He is the younger brother of NFL offensive tackle Kwame Harris. He is married to his college sweetheart and singer/musician, Alexandra Jackson. They have two daughters. Alexandra is the daughter of Atlanta's first African-American mayor, Maynard Jackson.

Harris was born to Donovan and Cordel Harris and is the third of four children. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, and moved to Delaware in the 4th grade. He was an outstanding student athlete at Newark High School in Delaware,^[3] where he won multiple state championships along with older brother Kwame. Harris was rated the nation's top defensive line prospect by The Football News and named a High School All-American by The Football News. As a senior, he was named Delaware's Gatorade Player of the Year, Lineman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after recorded 130 tackles (95 solos, 35 assists), 9.5 quarterback sacks and a whopping 70 tackles for losses as a senior. His career totals are: 496 tackles (331 solos, 165 assists), 33 quarterback sacks, 252 tackles for losses. He assisted his team to a 12–0 record as a senior and the 2000 Division I State Championship.

Harris attended the University of Miami and was a letterman in football. He was the first athlete in Delaware history to go on athletic scholarship to Miami. In football, he finished his career with 11 sacks, 159 tackles, and a fumble recovery. As a senior, in 2005, Harris played in 12 games and 40 tackles (18 solo) with 11 going for losses and 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery and was honorable mention All-ACC. As a junior Harris started all 12 games at defensive tackle and was voted the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year after making 55 tackles (16 solo), adding 12 tackles for loss, 14 QB pressures and 1.5 sacks. He was also selected First-team All-ACC by Rivals.com. In 2003, he started 10 of 11 games and recorded 39 tackles (14 solo), eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and 18 quarterback hurries. As a freshman on 2002 he made 36 tackles (14 solos), one sack, one tackle for a loss, 14 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He redshirted in 2001.

5.12 seconds in the 40-yard dash. 355-pound bench press, 25 reps of 225 pounds.

He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft.^[4]

On May 6, 2009, Harris was traded from the Bengals to the St. Louis Rams for running back Brian Leonard.

On July 22, 2009, Harris was traded from the Rams to the Detroit Lions for wide receiver Ronald Curry. He was waived on September 16.

Harris was re-signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on November 24, 2009, after being waived following the signing of Larry Johnson. He was waived again on September 4, 2010.

• Just Sports Stats
• Cincinnati Bengals bio
• Miami Hurricanes bio Archived 2007-11-18 at the Wayback Machine