2 min read • March 03, 2022
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One of the more intriguing backs appearing at this week’s Draft Combine is South Carolina junior Kevin Harris.
Harris was a two-year starter for the Gamecocks, but had his 2021 season impacted by a back procedure in the summer to remove a sack of fluid, or cyst, from a spinal nerve.
Back surgeries are always concerning, especially at his young age and abusive position, but the issue does not appear to have involved or impacted his nerves, which would be a brighter red flag.
Interested NFL teams will fully evaluate the 21-year-old’s back and if it remains a problem or team doctors find that it involves a nerve issue, he would likely drop in the Draft.
If it does turn out to be only a cyst, however, he could shake off the down 2021 season and be productive as a rookie.
The July 2021 back surgery appears to have slowed what was a burgeoning college career in Columbia.
After a dominant sophomore season, rushing for 1,138 yards and 12 TDs on a robust 6.2 yards per carry along with a 21/159/1 receiving line, Harris took a step back in 2021, gaining 660 yards with 4 TDs on 4.3 yards per rush with an 11/89 output catching the ball.
The 5’10” 220-pound bruising back closed his Gamecocks career on a high note, however, rushing 31 times for 182 yards and 1 touchdown in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina after a month-long prep period.
It is in the realm of possibility that the back surgery and quick turnaround to SEC play only two months later caused the down season, and with time off and care he could return to form as a rookie and be a late-round robbery.
Injury history data provided by the 2022 rookie injury guide written by Dr. Ethan Turner, PT, DPT. Twitter @ETurnerFF. If you'd like to learn more about the injury histories of the 2022 class you can pre order your copy here
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