Chuck Harris
Defensive End
Buffalo
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Chuck Harris: Height is 6’4, weight is 265 and high 4.7’s.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Chuck Harris: Down in Huntsville, Alabama. I wanted to get away from everybody. I wanted to focus on training. I have a lot of family there.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your experience at the Tropical Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL?
Chuck Harris: The experience was fun. It was warm in Florida. The practices went well. I did well in the one on one’s. I spoke to scouts, and they asked me a lot of questions.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you faced during practice at the Tropical Bowl?
Chuck Harris: Wayne State OT (Israel Helms).
Alex Khvatov: What did you want to showcase to scouts at these all-star games?
Chuck Harris: That I could compete at the highest level. My get off was better and I was more physical than scouts originally thought. My pass rush is developing each day.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from these events?
Chuck Harris: Go hard on every single play every day. You never know when it would be your last.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Chuck Harris: I had MAC schools and WAC as well.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Buffalo?
Chuck Harris: It was my first D-I offer. Buffalo wasn’t too far from home, but wasn’t that close. I could always go back whenever I wanted to.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Chuck Harris: I bring a lot of speed and power. I am good at run blocking and taking on a block. I always have a counter move. I have great character. My emphasis is on the little things.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Chuck Harris: My flexibility and my hands.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Chuck Harris: As a team, we accomplished the best winning record at the school for our senior class. We didn’t win the MAC. But we went to a bowl game my senior year. Buffalo was never known for having a winning record. It was hard the first couple of years. We went 5-7 and then 2-10. Our guys continued to grind and kept working. We wanted to be the best that we could be.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Chuck Harris: The last play of the Temple game. It was a 2nd down play, it was a pass play. It was a tight game. I was one on one with the tackle. I made a good edge move. It was a strip sack, and my teammate recovered the ball. We sealed the game. Against Rutgers, it was fourth down, we didn’t want them to get into the end zone. I was one on one on a LT. I wrapped up the QB for the sack. The game against Eastern Michigan, I had 2.5 sacks, a PBU and a forced fumble. I take pride in wearing that #41 jersey.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Chuck Harris: Developing each year as a player. I barely played as a freshman. I had a breakout year as a sophomore. I was third team All-MAC and started all 12 games as a junior. I was first team All-MAC senior year. I grew. I was playing a lot smarter my senior year.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Chuck Harris: The little things that matter. Just live in the moment.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Chuck Harris: I am from Detroit, Michigan, I watch the Lions and their rivalry against Green Bay. I don’t have a favorite team.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Chuck Harris: Khalil Mack. He always makes those game changing plays. I also like Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your teammate LB Khalil Hodge.
Chuck Harris: As a football player, he will give you everything he has. He also has great character. He is passionate.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DE?
Chuck Harris: Setting the edge. You have to have the physicality to set the edge. The main thing is the run game and not giving up too much yardage on the ground.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Chuck Harris: I am looking at the box area where the QB and RB are. I am looking at the RB’s alignment. I am keying on the OT’s feet and shoulders. It helps my get off.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next
season?
Chuck Harris: Keep an eye on TE Tyler Mabry, LT Evin Ksiezarczyk, RB Jaret Patterson #26 and LB James Patterson.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Chuck Harris: NIU OT Scharping.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Chuck Harris: Game day when you are playing in primetime. I also like to practice. It is the key. A good practice always leads to a great game.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your biggest role model and why?
Chuck Harris: My high school coach. He got me into football. I wasn’t playing ball before. We stay in contact every day. I started playing football when I was 15 years old. I did hurdles and disc in track. I played basketball. My high school football coach came up to me and said that you should be on the football team. So I joined and gave up basketball.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Chuck Harris: Someone who can talk about it and back it up. Leader is someone who is doing the right things even when no one is watching.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Chuck Harris: Play basketball and dominoes.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Chuck Harris: I want to be a contractor. My grandfather has his own business in that field. I would like to do that.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Chuck Harris: Smart, funny, agile, physical and great character.
