Cincinnati Bearcats Football Season in Review: Justin Harris

The Numbers

• 10 total tackles
• 1 pass defended
• 1 pass breakup

Justin Harris didn’t produce incredible numbers in 2019. That’s not all that surprising for a true freshman, especially one fighting for playing time in a completely loaded Cincinnati Bearcats secondary. However, just looking at Harris’ stat line would be a disservice to the important strides he did make last fall. Even as he tallied limited numbers in tackles and other such statistics, he gained important experience that is not always allotted to first-year players. In fact, Harris appeared in all 14 games for the 11-win Bearcats, which could prove invaluable when Harris begins to take on a more prominent role on the roster.

We still have to go over the numbers, of course. That’s what this section is titled after all. Harris produced 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, and also managed one pass defended and one pass breakup.

The Best of the Best

Jan. 2, 2020 vs. Boston College

Harris matched a personal best with two solo tackles and in a bowl game no less.

For Next Year

Harris should be an important part of the future for the Bearcats. He was the highest rated prospect in UC’s 2019 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. The three-star cornerback will still have to compete for playing time next year, but with the reps he has already put in, he won’t be starting from square one. It might still be too early to expect a major improvement in 2020, but it is only a matter of time before Harris starts putting up the type of numbers you’d expect from someone who appears in every game.