Alvin Harper
| No. 80, 82, 1 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | July 6, 1967 Lake Wales, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Frostproof (Frostproof, Florida) | ||||||||
| College: | Tennessee | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1991: 1st round, 12th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Alvin Craig Harper (born July 6, 1967) is an American former professional
Early life
Harper attended
He also excelled in track and field; at one time he held the Florida High School high jump record, and also won two state Class A high jumping titles. As a basketball player he averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.
College career
Harper accepted a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee. As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games as a backup wide receiver, making 15 receptions for 247 yards and one touchdown. He had a 45-yard touchdown reception in the second game against Colorado State University.
As a sophomore, he was named a starter at wide receiver. He appeared in 11 games, posting 37 receptions for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns. In his first start in the fifth game against Washington State University, he set a school single-game record with 12 receptions.
As a junior, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 13 receptions for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As a senior, he earned All-
He continued to excel in track and field, capturing the 1989 Southeastern Conference indoor high jump championship with a jump of 7 ft 2½in. He also anchored the University of Tennessee 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
In the 1991 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys sought a receiving partner for starter Michael Irvin and selected Harper in the first round (12th overall).[1][2] As a rookie, he caught 20 passes for 326 yards and one touchdown, helping Dallas finish 11–5, its first winning season since 1985. He missed the seventh game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a neck injury.
In
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 8,
In 1996, he appeared in 12 games with 7 starts, registering 19 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown. His top receiving game came in the third game against the Denver Broncos, making 2 receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. He had 4 receptions for 41 yards and no touchdowns in the fifth game against the Detroit Lions. Harper was replaced with Robb Thomas in the second half of the sixth game against the Minnesota Vikings and would lose his job as the starter at wide receiver.[5] He would start once more in the season finale against the Chicago Bears, in place of an injured Thomas.[6]
On June 10, 1997, he was released before the start of the season.[7] During his two years in Tampa he was slowed by injuries and played in only 25 games, where he caught 65 passes for 922 yards and three touchdowns.
Washington Redskins
On June 11,
New Orleans Saints
On December 2, 1997, he was claimed off waiver by the New Orleans Saints.[10] He was declared inactive in the last 3 games of the season. He was released on July 24, 1998.[11]
Dallas Cowboys
On October 14, 1999, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, to provide depth after Michael Irvin suffered a career-ending neck injury in the fourth game against the Philadelphia Eagles.[12] His jersey number 80 was used by Ernie Mills, so he chose to wear number 82. He appeared in 2 games as a reserve player and did not register any statistics. He was released on December 7.[13]
Harper finished his eight NFL seasons with 191 receptions for 3,473 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed once for 15 yards, completed a pass for 46 yards, and recorded one interception on defense.
Memphis Maniax (XFL)
In 2001, he was signed by the Memphis Maniax of the XFL, reuniting with head coach Kippy Brown, who was his wide receivers coach with the University of Tennessee. Harper was a backup wide receiver and only posted one reception for 8 yards.[14]
NFL statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1991 | DAL | 15 | 5 | 20 | 326 | 16.3 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | DAL | 16 | 13 | 35 | 562 | 16.1 | 52 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1993 | DAL | 16 | 15 | 36 | 777 | 21.6 | 80 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 1994 | DAL | 16 | 14 | 33 | 821 | 24.9 | 90 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 1995 | TB | 13 | 12 | 46 | 633 | 13.8 | 49 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | TB | 12 | 7 | 19 | 289 | 15.2 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1997 | WSH | 12 | 0 | 2 | 65 | 32.5 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | DAL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 100 | 66 | 191 | 3,473 | 18.2 | 90 | 21 | 5 | 5 | |
Personal life
In 2004, he was a volunteer wide receivers coach at
Harper now resides in Winter Haven, Florida.[15]
References
- ^ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Cowboys' 1991 draft earns high marks". April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Timothy W. (March 9, 1995). "Bucs Beat Out the Jets In Bidding for Harper". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Harper injured". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Harper in a snit as he sits". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Harper makes his return quietly". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Buccaneers Cut Ties With Harper". The New York Times. June 11, 1997. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Harper Signs With Redskins". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Ouspoken Harper Released By Redskins". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Former RAM Mrtin Fills In As No. 3 For The Final Three". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Injury-riddled Cowboys sign Harper". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Memphis Maniax bio". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "'A bigger heart': Frostproof's Alvin Harper talks about life before and after the NFL".