Former KU CB Chris Harris’ rise to stardom a true underdog story

By Matt Tait Jul 27, 2015

As a four-year starter for the Jayhawks, senior cornerback Chris Harris has seen the highs and lows of the football program. His freshman year culminated in an Orange Bowl victory. In his senior year, the team is 2-6 going into today’s home game against Colorado.

With the current state of Kansas football leaving more than a little to be desired by the KU fan base, it’s often easier to think back about the good days than it is to focus on the present or even forecast the future.

Whether that brings memories of Todd Reesing to Kerry Meier in the snow, the Orange Bowl title in 2008 or a stretch of three bowl appearances in four seasons, the fond memories are there and they did not take place too long ago.

One such memory, or at least a memorable Jayhawk, that just now seems to be gaining serious steam is the four-year career of cornerback Chris Harris. Harris, currently a starter for the Denver Broncos who is widely regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, has gone a long way toward bringing positive vibes to the KU program to fans of professional football.

If you’re a regular visitor of this site, you’ve probably seen and read plenty about Harris. But there’s even more to his story than the current success and memorable milestones he’s racking up by the day.

The Broncos official web site recently did a fantastic job with Harris’ story, in a three-part series known as The Underdog.

Denver Broncos strong safety Chris Harris (25) celebrates with free safety Quinton Carter after Carter intercepted a pass by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter of their NFL wild-card playoff game Sunday in Denver. The Broncos won in overtime, leaving Harris — a Kansas University product — on one of just eight teams still alive.

Here you get a very candid and entertaining look at Harris’ beginning and everything that went into making him the player — and person — he is today.

It’s worth a watch for anyone, but will be especially meaningful for KU fans who remember No. 16 making his mark during that magical Orange Bowl season in 2007.

Check it out…

**The Underdog Part I:**

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/The-Underdog-Part-1/54a56073-b685-4771-9588-16e0e3338340

**The Underdog Part II:**

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/The-Underdog-Part-2/b40b095a-611c-4f0e-a7a7-97ec6e955ea7

**The Underdog Part III:**

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/The-Underdog-Part-3/470ba9e5-edcc-43c8-88ca-c06a39d4c184

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.