The Washington Commanders have officially signed versatile safety Will Harris to their roster. Here are five things to know about the newest defensive back.
1. He was an all-conference player at Boston College.
Harris was raised in an athletic family growing up in Suwanee, Georgia. His father, Will Harris Sr., played wide receiver at Mississippi State, where he caught 74 passes for 1,391 yards with six touchdowns and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft.
Harris followed his father's lead and became a talented athlete in his own right. He was a two-way player at Choate Rosemary Hall, where he had an exceptional senior season with 77 tackles, 20 pass breakups and three interceptions to go with 650 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers helped him become the 2014 NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year and earn First Team All-New England honors.
Harris saw action as a freshman at Boston College before being named a starter as a sophomore. Not only did he record at least one interception in each season, but he also steadily improved his tackle numbers over the year. Over the course of his final two seasons, Harris recorded 158 stops with six tackles for loss.
Harris was voted captain by his teammates for the 2018 season and had a strong finish to his career. He helped the Eagles earn a trip to the Cotton Bowl against Boise State and earned Third-Team All-ACC honors.
2. He embraces his versatility.
Although Harris is technically listed as a safety, his experience extends further than that. He's been moved all over the secondary since he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2019 and has at least one snap at every position. His one season with the Saints was no different; while Pro Football Focus notes that Harris spent the bulk of his time at free safety (352 snaps), he also worked in the slot and as an outside corner.
The Commanders hope he can bring some of that flexibility to their defense, and he gave an unselfish answer when asked whether he prefers one position over the others.
"I prefer doing whatever the team needs me to do," Harris said. "Whatever that looks like, I'm willing to do it. I like to say that anywhere between the white lines is where I like to be."
And Harris has shown that he can be effective wherever his coaches put him. He's been particularly good over the last three seasons, as he's recorded 11 pass breakups and three interceptions. His 6-foot-1 frame allows him to hold his own against tight ends and bigger wideouts, while his 4.41 speed helps him keep up with speedier weapons on the outside and in the slot.
Harris also possesses a physical skill set that allows him to slow down and stop receivers from ripping off explosive plays. He's never allowed more than 200 yards after the catch in a season, including three seasons where he gave up less than 100 yards.
Harris is ready to add that to the Commanders' defense, wherever that may be in the secondary.
"This team's gonna get everything I got," Harris said.
3. He's got a good connection with Marshon Lattimore.
Harris is eager to get himself acquainted with his new teammates, but he already has a close relationship with one of the Commanders' defensive backs. For the first time since Week 9 last season, Harris will get to work alongside Marshon Lattimore again.
"That's my dog," Harris said of Lattimore. "That's my guy. Definitely super excited to reconnect with him. Obviously, enough can't be said about [Lattimore]. He's a super competitor. The guy's been doing it at a high level for so long."
Lattimore was the first big move the Commanders made to revamp their secondary by trading for him from the New Orleans Saints. He only played in two regular season games because of a hamstring injury, but the coaches like the competitiveness he brings to the field and believe he'll get back to playing at a Pro Bowl level with a full offseason of recovery in their program.
But Harris knows the kind of player Lattimore can be when he's healthy. It wasn't long ago that Lattimore was a regular selection for the Pro Bowl and getting double-digit pass breakups. That talent flashed at times when Harris and Lattimore were on the field together, and Harris is excited to be paired up together again.
"When you're playing the safety position, it definitely makes your job a little easier having guys like that out there," Harris said.
4. He feels the love from Commanders fans.
It didn't take long for Harris to start hearing from Commanders fans about how happy they are to have him join the squad.
"When the news first broke, I know that my phone is still buzzing with Commanders fans," Harris said.
Harris might have won over Commanders fans before the news even broke that he was signing with the team, though. Once the reports about the two sides agreeing to terms hit social media, a clip of Harris drilling Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb in the end zone to break up a touchdown started to make the rounds.
Harris cracked a smile when he was reminded about the play and promised more of the same now that he's with the Burgundy & Gold. After all, he said he's never experienced anything like the support he's gotten from Commanders fans, and he wants to repay them for that.
"This fanbase is amazing, and I can't wait to give them everything I got," Harris said. "I can't wait, and that's what they can expect from me."
5. He's excited to be part of a new chapter in Washington.
Just as they were last offseason, the Commanders have been busy for the past week trying to infuse their roster with more talent. Aside from Harris, the team has upgraded multiple spots through additions like Deebo Samuel at wide receiver, Laremy Tunsil at left tackle and Jonathan Jones at cornerback.
Harris already thought the Commanders were "full of ballers," but now the roster has improved as they try to get back to the NFC Championship. And Harris is excited to be a part of it.
"I'm super excited," Harris said. "I can't wait. I can't wait to have that competition all the time."
