Mizzou DE Charles Harris carries on Tigers’ run of great defensive linemen

It’s no secret that the SEC produces dominant defensive linemen.

This year, names like Myles Garrett and Robert Nkemdiche dominated the water cooler talk centered around the next major star.

But in Missouri, there was a defensive lineman that was quietly making his mark week after week.

His name is Charles Harris.

Everyone knew how dominant the Tigers defense was all season. It was the reason Mizzou remained in games. It is the reason for defensive coordinator Barry Odom is getting head coaching interviews.

It was a unit that finished the regular season ranked No. 9 in the country in total defense. Sure, more familiar names like Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer were a huge part of its success. But they were linebackers.

On the defensive front, Harris was dominant. He finished the season with 7 sacks and 92 tackles. In a four-game against Florida, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, Harris recored a sack in each game.

He wasn’t flashy by any means. But he was one of the main reasons why Tigers opponents averaged 3.29 yards per carry and just 132.8 rushing yards per game.

As a sophomore, the sky is the limit for Harris. He has already proven himself, but will only continue to get better. He’s the latest in a line of great Tigers defensive ends including Aldon Smith, Ziggy Hood, Kony Ealy, Michael Sam and Shane Ray.

Harris was confident before the season. Then he went out and backed it up with his performance on the field.

“It’s pressure, but it’s not pressure on me,” Harris told the Kansas City Star about playing a bigger role. “People are going to say what they want to say, but I don’t really listen to it. I feel like I’m going to be great, whether that’s on the field, in a classroom with academics or giving back with my career. I’m going to be great no matter what … I’ve worked too hard, and I’ve come too far for me not to be great.

Sean Labar

Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.