Name: Christian Harris
Position: Linebacker
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6-0 1/2, 226
40-yard dash: 4.44
Bench: Did not bench
Vertical: 34.5 inches
Broad: 132 inches
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
View photos of NFL prospect Christian Harris.
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) is shown against Miami during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Alabama's Christian Harris forces a fumble on Georgia's Stetson Bennett during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) stops Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) for a gain of one yard during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Christian Harris (8) is seen lining up during the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) catches a pass for a first down as Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) attempts to make the stop in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet (24) runs for yardage past Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Missouri starting quarterback Shawn Robinson, left, is sacked by Alabama's Christian Harris, right, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) lines up against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) rushes the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
How he fits: It's unclear how the Lions plan to use their current linebackers on the roster now that they've transitioned into more of a 4-3 base defense. Alex Anzalone, Jarrad Davis and Derrick Barnes could all be in the mix for playing time, but where? MIKE, WILL or SAM?
Harris is an explosive athlete. He has terrific speed, and could project as a chase-and-destroy WILL linebacker at the NFL level. The Lions like their depth at linebacker with the addition of Chris Board and the re-signing of Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Woods and others this offseason, but competition is never a bad thing. The Lions don't have a linebacker on the roster with Harris' kind of 4.4 speed.
Harris started all 15 games for the Crimson Tide this past season, making 79 stops, 12.5 for loss (second most on the team) with 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Harris can be an impact blitzer and efficient cover man. He has a high football and the potential to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.
Key observations: A high school receiver and defensive back, Harris made the transition to linebacker and started as a true freshman for Nick Saban, which says a lot. He would go on to start 40 of 41 games in his Alabama career.
Harris was a semifinalist for the Butkus and Lombardi awards this past season.
What they had to say about him: "Harris is an explosive linebacker with intriguing upside, who improved every week. Against the pass, he's been asked to cover RBs, TEs and occasionally slot receivers. He has the speed to match up and can find/play the ball, as evidenced by a deft pass breakup vs. LSU. He is quick to identify screens and then explodes to make the play. He is an excellent tackler in space.
"Harris is also a very dynamic blitzer, rocketing through gaps for sacks and pressures. Against the run, he isn't an instant key/diagnose player, but once he sees it, he has a burst to the line of scrimmage. He flashes the ability to aggressively take on blockers with his shoulder, but he gets stuck and swallowed too often. I'd like to see him use his hands more. Overall, the arrow is pointing up for Harris. His best football is ahead of him." – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL media analyst
View photos from offseason workouts on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Jashon Cornell (96) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (15) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety JuJu Hughes during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety JuJu Hughes during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions nose tackle Alim McNeill (54) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Bruce Hector (76) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions nose tackle Alim McNeill (54) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (15) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions nose tackle Alim McNeill (54) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (17) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions nose tackle Alim McNeill (54), Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (75) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback AJ Parker (41) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety JuJu Hughes, Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (15), Detroit Lions cornerback AJ Parker (41) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Steven Montez (19) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Bruce Hector (76) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Matt Sokol, Detroit Lions quarterback Steven Montez (19) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (75) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (75) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (75) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55), Detroit Lions cornerback AJ Parker (41) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
How he stacks up: Harris is the No. 39 overall prospect on Jeremiah's Top 50 list. He's Bucky Brooks' No. 3 linebacker available in the class behind Devin Lloyd (Utah) and Nakobe Dean (Georgia).
The Athletic's Dane Brugler lists Harris as the No. 5 linebacker in the class, and No. 46 in his Top 100. He's No. 37 in Scouts Inc.'s ranking of this year's prospects, and falls in at No. 61 on CBS Sports' ranking.
What he had to say: "I just want them to know I am not just an inside linebacker," Harris said at the Combine when asked what he wants teams to know about him. "I have definitely developed my knowledge of the game. I know everybody's spot. I can communicate. I can play fast. I can get guys lined up. I can be a leader on the defense."
