The Hamburg Sea Devils have announced that they have signed defensive back Deion Harris ahead of the 2023 European League of Football season.
This stint with the Sea Devils will mark Harris’ first in Europe. Last season, he spent some time with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League but did not appear in a game. Though lacking a lot of game experience over the past two years, the 27 year old is full of potential and could prove to be one of the best defensive backs in the league.
A native of Minnesota, he is the son of Johnnie Harris, a former NFL safety who played for Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. Despite an impressive high school career, Harris was not highly recruited by college programs, and eventually committed to the University of North Dakota at the FCS level of Division 1. He developed into a standout player for the Fighting Hawks. In his junior season in 2016, he recorded 36 total tackles, along with 5 interceptions and 14 passes defended. He was honored with first team All-Big Sky and second team All-America nods for his efforts.
Unfortunately, he suffered a season ending injury before the 2017 season, which dealt a big blow to his rising stock in the NFL Draft. After completing his senior season at North Dakota, he attended Green Bay’s rookie minicamp before being signed by Washington in the preseason of 2019. He played through the preseason but was assigned to the practice squad. In 2020, he joined the DC Defenders of the XFL and played in two games in 2020, collecting three tackles, before the XFL folded due to COVID.
At 6’3”, 200 pounds, Harris has unique size for a defensive back, which could make him a game changing player in the Hamburg secondary. He will be coached by defensive coordinator Kendral Ellison, whose defenses have been among the best in the short history of the ELF.
Ellison commented on the signing of Harris,
“Deion fits exactly what we were looking for. His physical attributes and playing experience are eye popping. But for me it was his attitude and hunger to be great that sold him the most. His mentality fits perfectly with the Brotherhood. After stops in the NFL, CFL, and XFL he will bring a level of professionalism that will become contagious.”
