Denver Harris Is The X-Factor On Defense

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 4:13 PM ET

Denver Harris, once a five star recruit and one of the most coveted defensive backs in the nation, now finds himself at a critical juncture in his football career and he’s hoping UNLV can be the place where he earns a shot at redemption.

After starting his college career at Texas A&M, Harris showed flashes of elite talent but struggled to stay on the field due to disciplinary issues. He transferred to LSU, where once again, his on-field potential was overshadowed by off-field concerns. Now, at UNLV, Harris is looking for more than just playing time he’s seeking a fresh start and a chance to remind people why he was once viewed as a future NFL star.

UNLV is an incredible "remember some guys" roster.

Alex Orji, Anthony Colandrea, JoJo Earle, Troy Omeire, Var'keyes Gumms, Tunmise Adeleye, Denver Harris, Justin Flowe, Emeka Megwa…

— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) July 16, 2025

Why UNLV?

Former Head coach Barry Odom and his staff have been building a culture of accountability and opportunity in Las Vegas, creating an environment where talented but troubled players can refocus. For Harris, this might be the perfect setting to reset his trajectory away from the intense spotlight of the SEC and toward a program that emphasizes growth, structure, and redemption.

High Ceiling, Short Leash

Make no mistake, the talent is still there. Harris is long, fast, and has elite instincts for the position. If he buys into the system and stays committed to thr process, he could quickly become a shutdown corner in the Mountain West and even work his way back into NFL Draft conversations. But the leash is short. Any sign of the old habits returning could derail his third chance.

Denver Harris still has the same talent that he had that made him a consensus All-American in high school. I believe the culture at UNLV would be able to allow him to put it all together for his last year. Harris is my pick to be the breakout player on this team. Having an elite shutdown corner could really pay dividends on a defense that is looking for more emerging stars.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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