If you are looking for a football player who can play quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, nickelback and be on special teams, then the Roughnecks have found that diamond in the rough – Ajene Harris. Harris, hailing from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles via his hometown University of Southern California, has in high school and college played multiple positions which shows versatility, pure athletic talent and the heart of a true team player-going wherever the team needs him to play.
Ajene Harris had a very successful prep career at Crenshaw High School, where he earned a spot on the Cal-Hi All State second team and was the All-L.A. City Division I Player of the Year for 2013. Harris earned these honors playing QB, WR and CB positions. Harris’ athletic talent attracted hometown USC and he earned a playing spot on the Trojan roster in 2014 as a backup WR. Harris suffered hip injuries and had surgery for his damaged hips in 2015, and sat out the entire season on a medical hold. In 2016 Harris was converted over to the defensive side of the ball at cornerback/nickelback and also served on the USC special teams units as well. Harris had two successful seasons in 2017 and 2018, and was moved into the nickelback position. At the end of his NCAA career at USC, Harris garnered impressive statistics with 144 total tackles (including 86 solo) and 6.5 tackles for losses, 6 interceptions including 3 brought back for TD’s, 16 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and also recorded a sack.
Harris graduated from USC with a degree in Communications and later entered the NFL Draft where he remained undrafted. In the spring of 2019, Harris reported to the Philadelphia Eagles mini camp as an undrafted free agent, and earned a chance to play in preseason games in August, 2019. Harris then moved back and forth on the Eagles practice squad and has eventually found his way to the XFL and the Houston Roughnecks. Harris has made great strides in training camp to become a “lights out” defender and has made the XFL.com list of players to watch for the 2020 season:
Adding to a bevy of talent in the front seven, the versatile Harris has shown the rare anticipation and playmaking ability to be a difference-maker in the secondary, and he can finish as a big-play hitter.
He’s a top defender to watch as the aggressive Roughnecks defense looks to prevent games from becoming shootouts.
As fans, coaches, players and pundits alike await the offensive show that the Roughnecks will bring to the 2020 season, with players like Ajene Harris roaming the secondary to prevent shootouts with other offensive-minded teams, the Roughnecks look to bring new life to the adage that “defense wins championships.”
