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# Stampeding Through the 2025 USF Football Roster: #11 EDGE D.J. Harris
- URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/stampeding-through-the-2025-usf-football-4d4/
- Published: 2025-08-17T19:00:37.000Z
- Updated: 2025-08-17T19:00:37.000Z
- Description: This afternoon's spotlight is on a key veteran edge rusher.
- Author: Collin Sherwin
- Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44

**PLAYER:** D.J. Harris

**POSITION:** B-backer

**YEAR:** Redshirt senior

**HEIGHT/WEIGHT:** 6'2", 242 lbs.

**HOW DID HE GET HERE?** Harris hails from New Caney, Texas, where he was a low four-star or a high three-star prospect depending on where you looked. He committed to the in-state Texas Longhorns and enrolled in 2021, but didn’t see much time there. He spent two seasons in Austin and appeared in three games, battling some injuries along the way, and entered the transfer portal after his redshirt freshman season in 2022\. In January of 2023, he became a member of Alex Golesh’s first recruiting class and committed to the Bulls.

Harris immediately saw playing time in 2023 at the Bulls’ B-backer position, appearing in all 13 games and starting seven. He had a solid season, totaling 35 tackles and three TFLs. Perhaps his most notable play came in the Alabama game early in the season, when he recovered a muffed punt and set up the Bulls for a field goal that put them up 3-0 and raised some eyebrows around the nation (0:26 in the video below).

**HOW WAS HIS 2024 SEASON?** Harris was one of a few contenders for the starting B-backer role. Rico Watson was the eventual winner, but Harris still saw plenty of playing time. He appeared in all 13 games once again and made a pair of starts, racking up 26 tackles and posting career highs in TFLs (3.5) and sacks (2).

Per PFF, he saw the second most defensive snaps among all Bulls’ B-backers.

**WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2025?** USF didn’t necessarily struggle getting to the quarterback in 2024 - they ranked 41st among FBS teams in sacks per game - but not a ton of that pressure came from the designated edge rusher position. I’d love to see a big season from one of the players in the B-backer rotation. At any rate, Harris is a valuable member of said rotation; he’ll likely slot in as the first-choice backup to Watson again, though I’d keep an eye on talented youngsters like Ira Singleton.