NFL: Former Assumption star Deonte Harris is ready to debut under Monday night lights

A year ago at this time, Deonte Harris was getting ready to play in Assumption’s second game of 2018 at Merrimack. He went on to return a punt 63 yards to help the Greyhounds to a runaway victory.

Now, Harris is preparing to make his NFL debut with the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football.” The Saints host the Texans at 7:10 p.m. Monday on ESPN.

The diminutive (5-foot-6) and dynamic Harris was one of the stars of the NFL preseason and earned his spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Harris said during a phone interview from the Saints locker room following Wednesday’s practice. “It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was 5. To actually be out there on a ‘Monday Night Football’ game and actually wearing a jersey representing an NFL team, the Saints, is just unreal.”

Harris is wearing uniform No. 11. He wore No. 1 at Assumption.

Over his four seasons at Assumption, Harris was one of the most prolific return specialists in NCAA history. In the final game of his college career, Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and in the process set the NCAA all-division record with 14 career combined return TDs (six kickoffs, eight punts). He also owns the NCAA Division 2 single-season record for combined return touchdowns with eight, which he set in 2017.

Harris, who was recruited to Assumption by current Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney, was also an outstanding receiver for the Hounds and finished his career with 2,897 receiving yards and 28 TDs.

Harris’ hands, acceleration from when he catches the ball to when he starts and ability to change direction during returns stood out to Assumption coach Andy McKenzie last fall, when professional scouts visited AC on a weekly basis to watch Harris.

In January, Harris played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a postseason showcase for NFL draft-eligible college players, in Pasadena, California. He tested well for scouts during pro days at Harvard and Holy Cross in March.

Harris worked out for the Saints in mid-April at Assumption, later visited the team, and at the end of this year’s NFL Draft in late April, New Orleans signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Harris has always believed that good things will come through hard work, and that is happening in his jump from NCAA Division 2 to the NFL.

“Football is football,” Harris said. “My parents instilled that in me when I was young and I try to relay that message to anyone that’s going through or going to go through what I went through. Football is football, and you can only control what you can control. So as long as you’re working hard, as long as you’re giving everything you’ve got, somebody will find you.”

Harris battled a hamstring injury early in training camp.

“I was frustrated,” Harris said, “because you want to be out there showcasing your talent, especially as a guy who was undrafted. Luckily, I was blessed to get an opportunity to play in the preseason games and showcase my talents and it’s been a blessing overall. I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”

In the preseason, Harris returned eight kickoffs for 201 yards (25.1 average) with a long return of 34 yards. He had 10 punt returns for 147 yards, including a 78-yarder he took back for a touchdown against the Jets in the third preseason game.

“My guys up front made alley for me,” Harris said, “and I just trusted my ability.”

It was a dazzling display, and one Assumption fans became accustomed to the last four years.

“You can’t not be confident, especially at that position,” Harris said. “You have playmaking ability so you have to be confident and you just have to trust yourself.

“It’s definitely nerve-wracking when you’re first out there,” Harris said, “but once you get used to it, it’s like, ‘OK, I’ve been doing this since I was 5; just let your instincts take over and do what you’ve been doing.' ”

Harris’ parents, Marlon and Ellisa Harty, made the trip from the family’s home in Baltimore to New Orleans for the Saints’ preseason finale last Thursday against the Dolphins and stayed through the weekend. They were with Harris on Saturday when he found out he made the Saints’ 53-man roster.

“Saturday was just a blessing,” Harris said. “My mother cried, she broke down. My father tried to play it cool, but everyone was really excited and emotional that day.”

Marlon and Ellisa, the leaders of “Tay Nation,” Harris’ loyal fan group that was at every Assumption game, will be in attendance at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Monday night.

Harris spoke to Chesney — “I’m really excited for him,” Chesney said — and his former Assumption teammates.

Harris said he has received positive feedback from Saints coach Sean Payton.

“Overall it’s good,” Harris said, “but as a young guy you still have a lot to learn, especially in this league.”

Harris said Saints quarterback Drew Brees is “a great guy,” and added that “the whole locker room is filled with great guys. I get the same feeling I got when I stepped into the locker room in college.”

Former Assumption long snapper Zach Triner made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-man roster, and former AC tight end Scott Simonson had a solid camp and preseason for the New York Giants before suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason finale against the Patriots. He was placed on injured reserve.

The trio is making Assumption — and Worcester — proud.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTandG.