| No. 47, 24 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | October 26, 1970 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Columbus (OH) Independence | ||||||||
| College: | Ohio State | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1993 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
Roger Michael Harper is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Ohio State University.
Harper attended Independence High School. As a senior wingback, he gained over 1,600 yards in total offense with an average of 16.5 yards-per-reception. He received All-Ohio honors and was awarded the James A. Rhodes Trophy.
He was also an All-state basketball player.
He accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University. He became a starter as a sophomore, tying for the team lead with 3 interceptions, including returning a Drew Bledsoe pass for a 42-yard touchdown against Washington State University.
As a junior, he led the team with 4 interceptions. At the end of the season, he declared his intention to enter the NFL Draft.[1] He finished his college career with 118 tackles (75 solo) and 7 interceptions.
Harper was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round (38th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft.[2] As a rookie, he was named the starter at strong safety in the fourth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He posted 112 defensive tackles (fifth on the team), 5 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed, 15 special teams tackles (fourth on the team) and was named to the NFL's All-rookie team.
In 1994, he was moved to free safety and suffered a fractured right forearm against the New Orleans Saints, causing him to miss the last 6 games.[3] He collected 57 tackles, 3 quarterback pressures, 3 passes defensed and one interception.
In 1995, he started the first 12 games at free safety, recording 77 tackles, 2 quarterback pressures, one interception and one forced fumble. On April 18, 1996, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth (#127-Juran Bolden) and a fifth round draft choice (#164-Gary Bandy).[4]
Harper missed the first 2 games of the 1996 season with a fracture in his right forearm, that he suffered during the Blue-White scrimmage in training camp.[5] After safety George Teague was signed in the preseason, he was used mostly on the nickel defense, posting 33 defensive tackles, 5 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 11 special teams tackles. He was released on August 17, 1997.
On February 23, 1998, Harper was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers.[6] He was released on May 4.
In 1999, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.