Roman Harper attended Prattville High School in Prattville, Alabama where he played quarterback and free safety on the football team. He was voted team captain by his teammates as a senior. That year he had over 800 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense and 58 tackles and 4 interceptions on defense, despite missing time with a broken leg. He received all-county, all-metro, and all-state honors and was named team offensive MVP for his performance. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama where he sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt. Following spring practices the following year, Harper received the “Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman” award. He saw action in all 12 games that year, receiving one start. He finished the season with 42 tackles, 2 pass break-ups and a forced fumble. Following spring practice in 2003, Harper received the “Bobby Johns Most Improved Defensive Back” award. He finished second on the team in tackles that season with 114 stops on the year. He also had 1 interception and 4 pass break-ups. In the spring of 2004, Roman won the “Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter” award. He led all defensive backs with 77 tackles on the year. He also had 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 4 pass break-ups, and 1 forced fumble on the season. As a senior, Harper finished second on the team with 69 tackles. He shared a sack, had 1 interception, 2 pass break-ups, and 2 forced fumbles on the year as well.

Roman Harper has a great deal of experience against top competition, having started the past three seasons for Alabama in the SEC. During that time he has proven to be a very durable player who finished his career with a streak of 38 consecutive games started. He is a tough, physical safety with a good combination of size and speed for the position. He has good strength and is very physical at the point of attack. He has good football intelligence and reads plays well. He is a hard hitter and a fundamentally sound tackler who rarely misses a tackle. He sheds blocks well and excels at making tackles in the open field. Roman’s weak spot is his coverage ability. He lacks great ball skills, doesn’t have fluid hips, and he will get beat deep on occasion. Roman Harper is a good prospect at the safety position and should be a late first or early second day pick in April.