BC’s Will Harris Goes to Detroit in 2019 NFL Draft

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Third round pick of the Lions is the third Eagle off the board

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College defensive back Will Harris was selected with the 81st pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft Friday night by the Detroit Lions. Harris is the third Boston College player selected in the 2019 NFL Draft after Chris Lindstrom went 14^th overall in the first round Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons and Zach Allen went in the third round to the Arizona Cardinals with the 65^th pick.

Since 1980, Boston College had at least one player drafted every year except 2005 and 2013. The Eagles have had multiple players selected in the NFL Draft in six consecutive years under head coach Steve Addazio. It marks the second straight year at least three BC players have been selected in the NFL Draft.

Five Boston College defensive backs have now been selected over the last four NFL Drafts, tied for the most of any ACC program with Miami and Clemson.

“Will is a unique, physical player who had tremendous measurables at the NFL Combine,” said Addazio. “He is big, strong and fast and plays with great toughness. He has a passion for football and will be a guy who can do a lot of different things on Sundays for the Lions.”

Harris becomes the 17^th player drafted during the Addazio era at Boston College and the seventh player during Addazio’s tenure to be taken in the top three rounds. Harris is the 216^th player in Boston College history to be selected in the NFL or AFL Draft.

Harris earned All-ACC third-team honors for the first time in his career as he finished the year with 75 tackles, fourth on the team in 2018. Harris earned the William J. Flynn award after the season as BC’s most valuable player. He shared the honor with tight end Tommy Sweeney.

Harris played in 50 career games for the Eagles, including 41 starts. He tied for the team lead with 50 consecutive games played and was second on the team last year with 41 consecutive starts, trailing only Chris Lindstrom’s 47 consecutive starting assignments.

He finished his career with 225 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and seven pass breakups.