Orien Harris went to Newark High School where he maintained a 3.28 grade point average while playing football. As a senior, Harris recorded 130 tackles and 9 ½ sacks, leading his team to a 12-0 record and a state championship. For his performance, Orien was named Gatorade player of the year for the state of Delaware. He finished his high school career with 496 tackles and 33 sacks. He was considered to be the best prospect in the state and one of the top defensive line prospects in the nation. Orien accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Miami where he sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt. He totaled 36 tackles and one sack in a backup role as a sophomore in 2002. Harris started the majority of the 2003 season following a season ending injury to starter Santonio Thomas. He finished the season with 39 tackles and 4 sacks. As a junior Harris earned honorable mention All-ACC and was named Miami’s defensive linemen of the year for his 55 tackle, 1 ½ sack performance, despite missing two games due to arthroscopic knee surgery. Orien Harris could’ve entered the 2005 NFL draft but instead opted to return to Miami for his senior season.

Orien Harris has average size and excellent athleticism for a defensive tackle. He is a good all-around lineman—An excellent run stopper and although it doesn’t always show up on the stat sheets in terms of sacks, he can also rush the passer. He is a powerful player who has no problem penetrating the line of scrimmage. He possesses good closing speed and excels in pursuit. He is a good wrap-up tackler. Harris has a good motor, excellent instincts, and always seems to be around the football. He is a tough, durable player who has only missed two games due to injury since taking over the starting job in 2003. He lacks ideal size and strength for a defensive tackle in the NFL, however, his athleticism will allow him to play either defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4 defensive scheme. In addition to bulking up and getting stronger, Harris needs to display good technique on a more consistent basis to have the same type of success in the professional level. Orien Harris has a good deal of upside and should be among the top defensive tackles selected in the 2006 NFL draft.