DB Thomas Harper Shines at Notre Dame Pro Day
Thomas Harper was one of the key pieces to Notre Dame’s defense in 2023 and probably isn’t talked about enough.
The 5-foot-10, 189-pounder tallied 39 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and forced a fumble for the Irish and yet didn’t receive an invite to the NFL Combine despite being on the better slot corners in college football.
Harper admits it was tough not to be in Indianapolis, but the snub fueled his fire leading into Thursday’s Pro Day at Notre Dame.
“It hurt,” stated Harper. “I think it’s kind of everybody’s dream to go crazy at the Combine with everyone watching. Everything happens for a reason. Trust in God and his plan for me. I think everything worked out. I’m glad that I got to show what I could do here.”
It’s not the first time a member of his family didn't get an invite to the NFL Combine as his brother, Devin, also wasn’t invited to Indy. It didn't stop him as he has played for the Bengals and Cowboys the last two seasons.
“It’s helped a lot,” Harper said of his conversations with his brother. “He didn’t get a Combine invite either, so it was really good talking to him. We kind of had the same experience. Ups and downs, you know how it goes. It was good hearing how he took it and pretty much used it as fuel to have a chip on my shoulder.”
The Tennessee native put on a show as he recorded a vertical of 42 inches, 10-6 broad jump, 4.28 shuttle and then ran 4.48 in the 40. Harper’s vertical would have been the third highest at the NFL Combine when looking at cornerbacks and safeties.
“I just really wanted to do everything leading up to this in training,” stated Harper. “I kind of felt it was a good opportunity for me to show my athleticism. I didn’t get the Combine invite, so it was a big opportunity.”
“I feel like I proved my athleticism and that I’m athletic enough to play at the next level.”
Harper also touched on why he decided to opt out of Notre Dame’s bowl game in December.
It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was one he felt he needed to make to start preparing for his future, as he needed surgery on his hand.
“I obviously wanted to play with my guys,” Harper explained. “I was dealing with palmar fasciitis. It was something in my hand. It was built up of tissue. I wanted to get it cleaned up so I could do this process without having to sit out of anything. I just wanted to be healthy for this process.”
The talk of Pro Day was Harper’s performance not just by the media, but also by his former teammates.
“It means a lot,” said Harper. “Those are my guys. We’re really close. It means a lot to me.”
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