Thorson And Harris To Play Football Saturday

Feb. 4, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas seniors Brad Thorson and Chris Harris will each compete in football games Saturday as they look to impress NFL scouts.

Thorson, an offensive lineman, is playing the NFL Players Association game in San Antonio, Texas. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. and will be televised on CBS College Sports.

Harris, a defensive back, is playing the in Dixie Gridiron Classic in St. George, Utah at 1 p.m. Central time. The game is not being televised.

Both players have spent a week working with NFL coaches with other pro coaches and scouts in attendance.

“We have had a lot of competitions,” Harris said from St. George Friday. “We have had a lot of one-on-one and seven-on-seven work. We have been competing against wide receivers and other defensive backs.”

Harris said he felt he had a really good week and was able to set himself apart from the other defensive backs. He has also enjoyed receiving NFL coaching, watching film.

“I came out here, learned the defenses the NFL teams like to play, got better and did a pretty good job in the one-on-ones and seven-on-sevens,” Harris said. “I felt like I had a good week.”

Thorson said his week has been fun, tiring and tough, but very well worth it.

“It has been a great experience,” he said Friday. “The first couple days were from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., getting measured, filling out questionnaires for NFL teams, practice. It was like jamming summer camp into three days.

“Overall it has been a positive experience and hopefully this helps me in the draft process,” he added.

Thorson said he has been moved to center where he will play Saturday. Thorson played center and guard at KU, but mostly tackle during his Jayhawk career.

“It has been a big adjustment moving back to center (after two years as a tackle),” he said. “There is a lot of responsibility, but it has given me the opportunity to prove that I can play there and that I am not just a one-trick pony out at tackle.”

Chris Harris