Ajene Harris
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ajene Harris
| image =
| caption =
| current_team = Arlington Renegades
| number = 5
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|6|1|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 181
| high_school = Crenshaw
(Los Angeles, California)
| college = USC (2014–2018)
| undraftedyear = 2019
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2020}})
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2021}})*
- Pittsburgh Maulers ({{USFL Year|2022}})
- Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2023}})
- Arlington Renegades ({{XFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- 2× All-UFL Team (2024, 2025)
- All-XFL Team (2023)
- UFL interceptions leader (2025)
- XFL interceptions leader (2023)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = H/HarrAj00
}}
Ajene Harris (born June 1, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at USC Trojans football, and has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).
College career
Harris played college football at USC from 2014 to 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/la-sp-usc-football-harris-20181008-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=From eight-man football to Crenshaw to a USC degree, cornerback Ajene Harris is quite the success story |date=October 8, 2018|author=McCollough, J. Brady}}{{Cite news|date=September 21, 2017|author=Kaufman, Joey|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2017/09/21/uscs-versatile-ajene-harris-finds-path-to-field-via-rise-of-nickel-defense/|newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News|title=USC's versatile Ajene Harris finds path to field via rise of nickel defense}} In his career, Harris had 142 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions (three for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He appeared in 43 games in his career, with 24 starts.{{Cite web |title=Ajene Harris - Football |url=https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/ajene-harris/8915 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=USC Athletics |language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/8
| weight = 181
| dash = 4.62
| ten split = 1.62
| twenty split = 2.71
| shuttle = 4.19
| cone drill = 6.84
| vertical = 30.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 3
| bench = 9
| arm span = 30 3/4
| hand span = 9 3/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131277&DraftYear=2019 |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Ajene Harris College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=May 24, 2024}}
}}
= Philadelphia Eagles =
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, Harris signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 6, 2019.{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Mike Kaye {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=August 6, 2019 |title=Eagles sign veteran pass rusher to replace Joe Ostman, add rookie cornerback |url=https://www.nj.com/eagles/2019/08/eagles-sign-veteran-pass-rusher-to-replace-joe-ostman-add-rookie-cornerback.html |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=nj |language=en}} He was released on August 31, 2019, but re-signed to the practice squad on September 12.{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Logan |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Eagles Officially Cut Roster Down To 53 |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-release-three-including-cb-orlando-scandrick/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Eagles Sign CB Ajene Harris To Practice Squad |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-sign-cb-ajene-harris-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was released on October 1, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=October 1, 2019 |title=Eagles Sign CB Ryan Lewis To PS, Release CB Ajene Harris |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-sign-cb-ryan-lewis-to-ps-release-cb/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was re-signed again on October 9 but was released on October 29, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Gowton |first=Brandon Lee |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Eagles re-sign practice squad cornerback they cut last week |url=https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/10/8/20905504/eagles-ajene-harris-cornerback-practice-squad-news-nfl-roster-philadelphia-dj-white-sidney-jones |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Bleeding Green Nation |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Comeaux |first=Jonathan |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Eagles Sign DT Bruce Hector To PS, Cut CB Ajene Harris |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-sign-dt-bruce-hector-to-ps-cut-cb-ajene-harris/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}
= Houston Roughnecks (first stint) =
Harris signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in January 2020. He finished the season playing and starting in five games with 23 tackles before the XFL canceled the rest of their season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2020 |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}
= BC Lions =
On March 11, 2021, Harris signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Lions Add DBs Jermaine Kelly and Ajene Harris |url=https://www.bclions.com/2021/03/11/lions-add-dbs-jermaine-kelly-ajene-harris/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=BC Lions |language=en}} Harris was released June 29, 2021.
= Pittsburgh Maulers =
On February 22, 2022, Harris was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL).{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2023 |title=USFL Draft: Pittsburgh Maulers 2023 Picks Revealed |url=https://gridironheroics.com/usfl-draft-pittsburgh-maulers-2023-draft-picks/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |language=en-US}} He was released on April 20, 2022.{{Cite web |title=Roster update |url=https://twitter.com/USFLMaulers/status/1516606343787909125 |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}
= Houston Roughnecks (second stint) =
Harris was selected by the Houston Roughnecks on November 15, 2022, returning after a three-year hiatus.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/35053464/xfl-draft-results-2023-full-rosters-eight-teams-vic-beasley-martavis-bryant-picks |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In 2023, he was the XFL Interceptions Leader with five interceptions. He was also named to the 2023 All-XFL Team.{{Cite web |last=Marrion |first=Jack |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Houston Roughnecks place five on All-XFL team |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/houston-roughnecks-all-xfl-team-18091513.php |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en}} He finished the 2023 season starting and playing in nine games, with 31 tackles and five interceptions.{{Cite web |title=Player Detail |url=https://www.xfl.com/stats/player |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and United States Football League (USFL) merged to create the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}
= Arlington Renegades =
On January 5, 2024, Harris was selected by the Arlington Renegades during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.{{cite tweet |number=1743444773912928683 |user=JamesLarsenPFN |title=BREAKING: The Arlington Renegades selected a few more big-time playmakers in the #XFL Dispersal Draft today, per source |first=James |last=Larsen |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2024}} He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/june/05/ufl-announces-inaugural-all-ufl-team |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} In Week 4 of the 2025 UFL season, Harris would intercept St. Louis Battlehawks Quarterback Max Duggan and set a UFL record with the longest interception return at 102 yards. He would be named the UFL defensive player of the week.{{cite web |title=UFL Announces Week Four Players of the Week |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-week-four-players-of-the-week |website=The UFL |access-date=25 April 2025}} The next week, Harris would continue his success and win a second straight Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance against the DC Defenders, having six total tackles and two interceptions in the close 37-33 loss.{{cite web |title=UFL Announces Standout Performances for Week Five |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-standout-performances-for-week-five |website=The UFL |access-date=1 May 2025}} Harris would finish the 2025 season leading the league in interceptions{{cite web |url=https://storage.googleapis.com/ufleague-prod/2025/06/02/01db4f22-7134-4d22-84bf-dfa29b42818e.pdf |website=The UFL |access-date=3 June 2025}} and be named to the 2025 All-UFL Team.{{cite web |title=UFL Announces 2025 All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-2025-all-ufl-team |website=The UFL |access-date=3 June 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/ajene-harris/8915 USC Trojans bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Ajene}}
Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Crenshaw High School alumni
Category:USC Trojans football players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Houston Roughnecks players
Category:Pittsburgh Maulers players