Ad Disclosure
Mizzou’s Charles Harris concerned his lack of production could hurt his NFL stock
Published:
2016 has been a bit of struggle for Mizzou defensive end Charles Harris.
In 2015, the former basketball player took the SEC by storm — notching 18.5 tackles-for-loss and 7.0 sacks. Harris burst onto the scene with immense athleticism and a motor that never stops.
As such, he put himself in contention to be a future first-round pick. The hype coming into this season was considerable…and Harris hasn’t quite performed to expectation.
Thus far, Harris has accrued a team-high 11.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. There are two things to keep in mind: For one, opposing teams are now focusing their game plans around trying to slow Harris. This includes the utilization of double-teams — as well as using an extra tight end and chipping running backs.
Secondly, new defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross employed a scheme not necessarily conducive to Harris’s strength as a player.
As told to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Harris is worried his draft stock may have taken a hit:
“I’d by lying if I said I didn’t. That’s just being honest. I’m a productive man. I want sacks. I want tackles-for-loss. I want things like that. But in terms of my ability, there’s no lack of confidence.”
Head coach Barry Odom remains confident in his star rusher, despite his statistical output being a bit low:
“He wants more, which most great competitors do. I don’t know if he’ll ever be satisfied with his production or where he is. We talked a little (Sunday) night about where we’re at and what I need him to do these next three weeks. I know what I want him to do. I want him to be successful and do what’s right for him.”
