The New Orleans Saints signed former Assumption College return specialist/wide receiver Deonte Harris following the 2019 NFL Draft, and they weren’t the only team looking to acquire him. Harris, a Baltimore native, said the Cincinnati Bengals also made a recruiting pitch.
“I also had an offer from the Bengals but I thought the Saints were a better fit for me,” Harris told Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. Preston reports that Harris also received interest from the New York Giants, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. “It’s a business but I was confident,” Harris continued. “To do this I think you have to have good instincts. But I also think my speed, ability, being able to read blocks and make people miss also helps.”
He clearly trusts his ability, and he should. Harris scored 45 touchdowns in his collegiate career, including an NCAA All-Division record in return touchdowns (14) with his efforts on kickoffs and punts. He likes his odds to carry that success over to the next level. But the NFL will provide a much stouter challenge than what the 5-foot-6, 175 pound specialist faced in the Northeast-10 Conference.
Still, he’s undaunted, and ready to get to work: “Down the road I would say my chances of making the Saints are pretty high.”
