Orien Harris facts for kids
| No. 93, 95, 69 | |||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | June 3, 1983 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Weight: | 300 lb (136 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Newark (Newark, Delaware) | ||
| College: | Miami (FL) | ||
| NFL Draft: | 2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 133 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
Orien J. Harris, born on June 3, 1983, is a former American professional football player. He played as a defensive tackle. The Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft.
He played college football at the University of Miami. There, he was part of the amazing 2001 National Championship team. Many people think this team was one of the best college football teams ever. Orien also played for several other NFL teams. These included the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Later, he played for the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League (UFL). He helped them win the UFL Championship Game in 2011.
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Early Life and High School Football
Orien Harris was born in Mount Vernon, New York. He moved to Delaware when he was in the fourth grade. Orien was the third of four children born to Donovan and Cordel Harris.
He was a fantastic student and athlete at Newark High School in Delaware. Orien and his older brother, Kwame, won many state championships there. The Football News called Orien the best defensive line player in the country. He was also named a High School All-American.
In his senior year, he was named Delaware's Gatorade Player of the Year. He also won Lineman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. That year, he made 130 tackles and had 9.5 quarterback sacks. He also had an amazing 70 tackles for losses. His team finished with a 12–0 record. They won the 2000 Division I State Championship.
College Football Career
Harris went to the University of Miami to play football. He was the first athlete from Delaware to get an athletic scholarship to Miami. During his college career, he had 11 sacks and 159 tackles. He also recovered a fumble.
In his senior year (2005), Orien played in 12 games. He made 40 tackles and had 3.5 sacks. He was also named honorable mention All-ACC. As a junior, he started every game as a defensive tackle. His team voted him the Defensive Lineman of the Year. He made 55 tackles and had 1.5 sacks that season.
Professional Football Journey
Orien Harris was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He signed with the team in July. He later joined the Cleveland Browns in December 2006. He played in two games for them that year.
He then spent some time with the Buffalo Bills practice squad. In December 2007, he joined the New Orleans Saints.
Playing for the Cincinnati Bengals
Orien was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals in August 2008. He played in 14 games for them that year. He made 14 tackles. He signed with the Bengals again in March 2009.
Later in 2009, Orien was traded to the St. Louis Rams. Then he was traded again to the Detroit Lions. He returned to the Bengals in October 2009. Overall, he played in four games for the Bengals that year. He made seven tackles. He was released by the Bengals in September 2010.
United Football League
In 2012, Orien played for the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League (UFL). He played in four games and made 10 tackles. He helped the Destroyers win the UFL Championship in 2011.
Personal Life
Orien Harris is the younger brother of Kwame Harris. Kwame also played professional football as an offensive tackle. Orien is married to Alexandra Jackson. She is a singer and musician. Alexandra's father, Maynard Jackson, was the first African-American mayor of Atlanta.
