Bowling Green State University Athletics
Harris is Taken by Ravens in NFL Draft
April 27, 2004 | Football
April 27, 2004
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - There's a song with the lyrics that "waiting is the hardest part."
That was true this weekend for Josh Harris, the former standout quarterback for Bowling Green, as he waited for his name to be called in the National Football League draft.
The moment finally arrived Sunday afternoon when the Baltimore Ravens made him the 187th player selected in the draft.
"It was awful," Harris said about waiting until the sixth round to be drafted. "It was such a long couple of days. Today (Sunday) was really bad. You just try to stay positive and upbeat.
"We fell back into the late rounds, not even the middle rounds, and that was kind of hard to swallow.
"But the second we got picked, all that disappointment and anxiety went out the window and we were just overjoyed."
Harris joins second-year performer Kyle Boller and fifth-year player Anthony Wright at quarterback for the Ravens.
"He's very mobile for that size player," Ravens' director of player personnel Phil Savage. "He's got a good arm. I wouldn't classify it as a great arm, but they were very productive at Bowling Green. He's someone that we had kind of been watching for the last couple of years."
Harris is the first BG player to be drafted by an NFL team since Charlie Williams was selected in the third round by Dallas in 1994. He's the first Falcon quarterback to be picked since Brian McClure was chosen in the 12th round by Buffalo in 1986.
"This is a great opportunity for Josh and I am excited for him," said BG head coach Gregg Brandon. "I know Brian Billick and he and Matt Cavanaugh (Baltimore's offensive coordinator) have so much to offer Josh in his development as an NFL player. Josh is a dedicated student of the game and works as hard as any player at his craft and this looks like a great fit for both parties."
Boller threw for 1,260 yards, completing 51.8 percent of his passes last season for Baltimore with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Wright completed 53 percent of his passes a year ago for 1,413 yards with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Chris Redman also saw limited action at quarterback last season for the Ravens, however, he is no longer on the team's roster.
"I feel fabulous with it," Harris said about being picked by the Ravens. "It's a good situation.
"They have a great defense, a good solid running game and I'm excited to get there and get to work."
Harris is viewed as a candidate for the third quarterback spot, according to Ozzie Newsome from the Ravens' front office. Harris is being called a good developmental quarterback for the team.
"Obviously, they have a starting quarterback in Kyle Boller," Harris said. "I'm going to compete for a spot on the roster."
Harris said he'll be going to a rookie mini-camp later this week.
Note: This story appeared in the April 26 edition of the Sentinel-Tribune
