Roger Harper (American football)

Last updated

Roger Harper
No. 47, 24
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1970-10-26) October 26, 1970 (age 53)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Columbus (OH) Independence
College: Ohio State
NFL draft: 1993  / Round: 2 / Pick: 38
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:56
Interceptions:4
Sacks:1.0
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at PFR

Roger Michael Harper is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contents

Early life

Harper attended Independence High School. As a senior wingback, he gained over 1,600 yards in total offense with an average of 16.5 yards-per-reception. He received All-Ohio honors and was awarded the James A. Rhodes Trophy.

He was also an All-state basketball player.

College career

He accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University. He became a starter as a sophomore, tying for the team lead with 3 interceptions, including returning a Drew Bledsoe pass for a 42-yard touchdown against Washington State University.

As a junior, he led the team with 4 interceptions. At the end of the season, he declared his intention to enter the NFL draft. [1] He finished his college career with 118 tackles (75 solo) and 7 interceptions.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Harper was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round (38th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft. [2] As a rookie, he was named the starter at strong safety in the fourth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He posted 112 defensive tackles (fifth on the team), 5 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed, 15 special teams tackles (fourth on the team) and was named to the NFL's All-rookie team.

In 1994, he was moved to free safety and suffered a fractured right forearm against the New Orleans Saints, causing him to miss the last 6 games. [3] He collected 57 tackles, 3 quarterback pressures, 3 passes defensed and one interception.

In 1995, he started the first 12 games at free safety, recording 77 tackles, 2 quarterback pressures, one interception and one forced fumble. On April 18, 1996, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth (#127-Juran Bolden) and a fifth round draft choice (#164-Gary Bandy). [4]

Dallas Cowboys

Harper missed the first 2 games of the 1996 season with a fracture in his right forearm, that he suffered during the Blue-White scrimmage in training camp. [5] After safety George Teague was signed in the preseason, he was used mostly on the nickel defense, posting 33 defensive tackles, 5 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 11 special teams tackles. He was released on August 17, 1997.

Green Bay Packers

On February 23, 1998, Harper was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers. [6] He was released on May 4.

BC Lions

In 1999, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

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References

  1. ↑ "Hurricanes' Williams, Georgia's Hastings to enter NFL draft" . Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  2. ↑ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Falcons Lose DB for Season" . Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Cowboys get Harper" . Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Dallas Loses Another Player" . Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Sports Transactions" . Retrieved January 3, 2018.
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