Next in the series will be a Canadian who was drafted by one of the most successful franchises in the sport today, the New England Patriots. Wide receiver N’Keal Harry has spent two seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, but that may be coming to an end. The wide receiver has asked for a trade to get a fresh start but is willing to play if it doesn’t materialize.
Canadian NFL Profile: Wide Receiver N’Keal Harry
Background of a Former First Rounder
Harry was born on December 17th, 1997, in Toronto, Ontario, but attended Chandler High School in Arizona. During his school career, Harry completed 119 receptions of 2,715 yards with 25 touchdowns as a receiver. Rivals.com awarded Harry a five-star prospect rating, a number one prospect in Arizona rating, the 18th best prospect, and the best wide receiver ratings in the United States. ESPN ranked Harry as both the best prospect and best wide receiver prospect in Arizona, 24/7 Sports ranked him as Arizona’s best prospect and the 52nd best prospect in the country. Scout.com ranked Harry as the United States’ 114th best prospect and the fourth-best wide receiver in the west region. Harry eventually committed to Arizona State University.
University Achievements and Awards
During his University career, Harry completed 213 receptions of 2,889 yards with 22 touchdowns. Harry also rushed the ball 23 times for 144 yards with three touchdowns. As a first-year freshman, Harry received All-American honors from Scout, Campus Insiders, and Pro Football Focus. He played all 12 games, finishing second in receiving yards and leading all receivers in touchdowns and catches. Harry led all freshman receivers in the United States in catches and was tied for fourth in touchdowns.
In his Sophomore campaign, Harry received All-Pac 12 First Team honors, while leading the Pac-12 in receiving yards and being second in the conference in receptions and yards. PFF gave Harry a QB rating of 107.0 when targeted, which was 16 points plus higher than the NCAA average. Harry was also second in the Pac-12 in target and catches.
During his Junior year, Harry was nominated to both the Biletnikoff and Maxwell Award Watch lists. He also received Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team honors as a wide receiver and Second-Team as a return specialist. Harry declared for the 2019 NFL Entry Draft.
Draft Projection and Selection
Harry was drafted 32nd overall by the Patriots, making him Bill Belichick‘s first wide receiver selection while being with the team. Harry subsequently signed a four-year rookie contract worth $10.1 million. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein predicted Harry to be a second-round selection and compared him to the Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson.
Scouting reports had Harry’s weakness being able to separate from the pack, due to lack of speed, agility, and explosiveness. However, his competitiveness, confidence, and work ethic were never in question and neither were his elite ball-handling skills. Harry’s size gives him a distinct advantage in contested catches, as well as in his tenacity for making blocks. Currently, in his two seasons, Harry has completed 45 receptions of 414 yards with four touchdowns in 21 games.
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Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
