Neil Harris Season 1984

1984 (Senior) 

Harris battled ankle problems as a senior. Despite his injuries, Harris played a vital role on a defensive unit that led the nation in both total and scoring defense, while finishing second against the run and fifth against the pass. Neil would end the year with seven tackles with two of them assisted, one of those tackles was for a loss. Harris also had four pass breakups. 

1983 (Junior) 

Labeled as the hero of the 28-21 win at Oklahoma that preserved Nebraska’s first undefeated regular season (12-0) in 12 years and a third-straight undefeated Big Eight title. The Sooners had a third-and-six at the Husker seven in the final minute, but Harris batted away two-straight from the Sooners quarterback. Started at left cornerback as a junior, but switched with Dave Burke in the spring and is tabbed as the starter at right cornerback this fall. Neil recorded 48 tackles as a junior with 34 of those being unassisted and broke up five passes. His top career tackle day came against Missouri when he was in on eight tackles with four of those being unassisted.  

1982 (Sophomore) 

Started eight of 12 games as a sophomore for the Big Red. He would split most of his time evenly with Dave Burke. Harris recorded 24 tackles with 19 of them being unassisted, broke up two passes and intercepted one. The interception came off Penn State’s quarterback in the Husker end zone in the fourth quarter, setting up an ill-fated go-ahead touchdown drive for Nebraska in that 27-24 loss at University Park.

1981 (Redshirt) 

Neil Harris would redshirt in his second season with the Huskers in 1981

1980 (Freshman)

The 1980 recruit started at left cornerback for the fall’s 5-0 Husker freshman team.

Personal

Son of Margaret Harris, Neil Harris was born Feb. 12, 1962, in Kansas City, Kan. He has a brother Larry Harris and one sister Janice Harris. Harris was an All-state and all-conference as a quarterback and defensive back at Kansas City Harmon High school, he played in the Big Brothers All-Star Game at Arrowhead Stadium and in the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Neil was an language arts major. Neil was signed by the Portland Breakers but then released in 1985. He would then be signed by the Indianapolis Colts, then later released by the team. Neil would then start coaching for youth teams in his area.