Player Profile: Macho Harris Virginia Tech CB

Pros: Harris is a natural football player and is solid at most aspects of the game. He has great instincts and awareness on the field; a solid all-around corner that loves to make big hits on receivers and running backs. He looks extremely comfortable in zone and reads the quarterback very well. Even though he does not have great acceleration, Harris shows big-time playing making ability with the ball in his hands. He is elusive and makes quick, fluid cuts with great vision. He is a dangerous return man that has experience playing wide receiver.

Cons: He lacks the open field speed scouts love corners to have. He can be overly aggressive both in coverage and tackling. Will jump short routes he shouldn’t, and often goes for the knock out hit instead of the sure tackle. Definitely needs to play in a zone coverage scheme. He could end up being moved to free safety due to his lack of speed and quickness in coverage.

Scouts Take: Harris is a gifted playmaker, racking up 15 interceptions over the last three years at Virginia Tech. He plays with the swagger and knowledge NFL teams love defensive backs to have, and opposing teams fear. Despite his lack of speed, the former Hokie is comfortable with the ball in his hands and will at least get a shot as a returner—a potentially dynamic playmaker. If he is put in the right defensive scheme, he could develop into a star corner for his NFL team. If he struggles at corner, he has the ability to move to free safety and could be a ball-hawk. Harris has second-round ability, but could fall to later rounds because of his lack of measurables. The team that drafts him will have some work to do and decisions to make, but they will be getting one of the best all-around defensive backs in this draft.

Photo Credit: David Knachel, Virginia Tech Athletics Communications

Senior Spotlight: Championship Week

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP: VIRGINIA TECH VS. BOSTON COLLEGE
DECEMBER 6 - 1:00 ON ABC

CB Victor “Macho” Harris

“Macho” has good length and a solid frame. His strength is in his amazing ball skills. Harris has a good feel for when to go after the football and when he can keep the receiver in front of him, not many are as good at reading the quarterback’s eyes as he is. He makes plays on the ball, has very reliable hands for a defender and once he gets his hands on the football, Harris is explosive – turning from defense to offense in a millisecond (23.7 yards per return, two touchdowns). Don’t be surprised to see Harris get some touches on offense – the senior has made eight receptions and has five carries for 48 yards. He is also an explosive return man, capable of making a game-changing play on special teams, always Frank Beamer specialty. Harris plays the “boundary corner” for the Hokies and is a great athlete with excellent body control. He lacks blazing speed, making him somewhat vulnerable. At times, he is not sound in his tackling technique, as he looks to make a big hit rather than wrapping up.
2008: 42 Tackles, Six Interceptions, 11 Passes Def.

TE Ryan Purvis, Boston College

The Pennsylvania native was a First Team All-ACC performer as a junior, when he was one of Matt Ryan's favorite targets as the Eagles made a run to the ACC Championship. His numbers are down this year, but the senior tight end played a role in the Eagles second straight Atlantic Division title. Purvis has a knack for finding openings in opposing zones, as well as coming up with the clutch catch – he's cool under pressure. Although he's not a blazer, Purvis is more athletic and explosive than some might believe. He has great hands and the prototypical frame, with the length as well as the bulk to stand in there and block. Purvis has not been nearly as productive on paper with Ryan playing in the league where they play for pay. The Eagles had a first year senior starter (Chris Crane) under center most of the season, with freshman Dominique Davis taking over the duties last week. Purvis may lack the potential of some of the other tight ends around the country, but don't sleep on the BC product who can make a big play if called upon.
2008: 20 receptions, 147 yards

OG GEORGE “DUKE” ROBINSON, OKLAHOMA

The “Duke” has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the nation. His athleticism and exceptional footwork enable him to get to the point of attack quickly in pulling situations. When he is able to get to the second level he punishes linebackers and defensive backs alike. He is extremely strong and delivers a powerful punch, with a mean streak that makes coaches smile. Robinson still needs to work on the fundamentals, his run blocking skills, and his hands. Once he sharpens his skills, this Sooner will continue to play football for years to come. When he plays his best, Robinson is one of the most dominating interior linemen in the country.

OKLAHOMA PLAYS MISSOURI THIS SATURDAY FOR THE BIG 12 TITLE – 8:00 PM ON ABC

Photo Credit: College Press Box (OU Athletics Department), Dave Knachel (Virginia Tech Athletics Comm.)

CFI RANKINGS: #25 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

2007 RECORD: 11-3; ACC: 7-1
Lost Orange Bowl vs. Kansas 24-21
LOCATION: Blacksburg, Virginia
STADIUM: Lane Stadium (66,233)
HEAD COACH: Frank Beamer
OVERALL: 209-108-4 (27 seasons)
AT TECH: 167-85-2 (21 seasons)

The Hokies are coming off a second ACC Title in four years since joining the conference—winning 42 games during that span. They have averaged 10 wins over the last nine years…so why does the 15th ranked team in the Coaches Poll barely crack our rankings? Tech had 11 players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in March (only USC had more with 12) and eight of those players were drafted. That is a lot of talent to lose.

WHEN THE HOKIES HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bryan Stinespring (7th Season/16th at Tech)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Duane Brown, Eddie Royal, Josh Morgan, Justin Harper, Branden Ore (TRAN), Josh Hyman, Brandon Dillard (INJ)

Do they have two quarterbacks or no quarterback? That is the question. If Sean Glennon looked mediocre last year, how can he be expected to improve now that his top four pass catchers have used up their eligibility? He had three receivers good enough to get drafted, yet none of the trio reached even 50 receptions or 700 receiving yards. Super soph Tyrod Taylor is the heir apparent, but is he ready for fulltime duty? In addition to the losses at receiver, the Hokies must replace Branden Ore who was “asked to the leave the team” after leading them in rushing the past two seasons. On the line, they return four starters including tackle Ed Wang and guard Sergio Render. They should be better than the group that allowed 53 sacks last season, although left tackle Duane Brown, who was a first round selection by the Houston Texans, must be replaced.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) OT Ed Wang (JR), 2) OT Sergio Render (JR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bud Foster (14th Season/22nd at Tech)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4
KEY LOSSES: Brandon Flowers, Xavier Adibi, Vince Hall. Chris Ellis, Carlton Powell, DJ Parker, Barry Booker

Despite the loss of second round pick Brandon Flowers, the Tech secondary should be just fine. In Victor “Macho” Harris and Kam Chancellor they have arguably the top corner and safety in the ACC. Harris, who put his name into the NFL Draft before deciding to return, is a playmaker who makes opposing quarterbacks look elsewhere when seeking an open receiver. Chancellor is a 6-3, 225-pound speedster and big things are expected from him as he moves from Rover to free safety. There could be problems with the front seven where only the Martin boys return—Orion at defensive end and Cam at outside linebacker. Do they have enough talent to make up for all the losses?

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) CB Macho Harris (SR), 2) FS Kam Chancellor (JR)

THE SCHEDULE

The Hokies start out with three straight at home and close with three of their last four in Blacksburg, but in between must play four of five away from home. Tech travels to Miami, Tallahassee and Chapel Hill, and while the ‘Noles and ‘Canes are marquee names, put a circle around their trip to Carolina—the Heels are the sleeper in the Coastal Division. Out of conference they make a trip to Lincoln, which is never easy. Overall, the schedule should help keep the Hokies ranked—none of their opponents are in the preseason Coaches Poll and they will avoid ACC favorite Clemson…unless they meet in the conference championship game.

PIVOTAL POINT

The Offensive Line: Tech must reestablish their running game and supply better protection for their quarterback—those 53 sacks were the third most in the nation. Wang makes the move to left tackle and the former tight end has the athleticism to protect the blind side, and Render gives them some powerful run blocking at right guard. Red-shirt freshman RT Blake DeChristopher could be a good one. The line needs to stay healthy and play better as a unit.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

Based on what they have coming back, the Hokies are a borderline ranked team. They have earned some benefit of the doubt, however, with their success under Coach Beamer and the stellar defense Bud Foster puts on the field, year-after-year. Tech will compete for the ACC Title and is the team to beat in the Coastal Division. This has as much to do with the sorry state of the ACC as anything else. The schedule is set up nicely and no one would be surprised if by the end of the season, Tech is among the top teams in the nation.