Brandon Harris (born January 24, 1990) is an American football coach and former cornerback who currently serves as the cornerbacks coach at the University of Florida. He previously played in the National Football League (NFL). Harris played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He was also a member of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Early life
Harris attended Booker T. Washington High School. As a senior, he was the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year after he recorded 49 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, and two touchdowns as a cornerback and 26 receptions for 501 yards and eight touchdowns as a wide receiver.[1]
College career
As a freshman in 2008, Harris started six of 13 games for the Hurricanes at cornerback, recording 30 tackles, an interception, and a sack. As a sophomore in 2009 Harris recorded 55 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. He was a first-team All-ACC selection, and earned second-team All-American honors from SI.com, and third-team from the Associated Press.[2][3] As a Junior in 2010, he was a second-team All-ACC selection after starting all 13 games, recording 44 tackles and an interception. He finished his career with 32 starts in 39 games, 129 tackles and three interceptions.
After his junior season, Harris announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2011 NFL draft.[4]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (1.77 m) |
191 lb (87 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) |
6 ft 2+1⁄4 in (1.89 m) |
4.52 s | 1.58 s | 2.63 s | 4.12 s | 6.77 s | 35.5 in (0.90 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
13 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine[5][6][7] | ||||||||||||
Houston Texans
Harris was selected 60th overall in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Houston Texans.[8] He recorded 48 tackles, 38 solo, and 10 pass deflections during his four seasons with Houston. On August 30, 2014, he was released prior to the start of the 2014 season.[9]
Tennessee Titans
On August 31, 2014, the Tennessee Titans claimed Harris off waivers.[10] He re-signed with the Titans on March 27, 2015.[11]
Miami Dolphins
On July 31, 2016, the Miami Dolphins signed Harris. On August 27, Harris was released.[12]
Toronto Argonauts
On May 11, 2017, Harris signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, and was a part of the Grey Cup winning team.
Coaching career
Florida International
In February 2021, FIU hired Harris to be the assistant coach (cornerbacks).[13]
Florida Atlantic
In January 2022, FAU hired Harris as to be cornerbacks coach.[14] He helped build FAU’s aggressive defense in his debut season, when the Owls tied for 12th nationally in defensive touchdowns and intercepted 12 passes.
New head coach Tom Herman retained Harris in 2023 and promoted him to co-defensive coordinator.[15] That season, Jarron Morris earned all-conference accolades, leading the team in tackles for loss, pass breakups, interceptions, and forced fumbles. FAU also had the third-fewest penalties in the country (41), and scored two defensive touchdowns.
In 2024, FAU’s defense recorded 11 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. The Owls had at least one turnover in eight of its 12 games and was ranked among the top 40 teams in red zone defense. Their defense also held seven teams to 25 points or fewer that season, including against 2024 AAC Champion Army. True freshman defensive back CJ Heard was selected All-AAC selection and led the team in tackles (82).
In November 2024, Harris became interim defensive coordinator following the dismissal of Roc Bellantoni.[16]
University of Central Florida
In 2025, Harris was hired as UCF‘s Defensive Backs coach.[17]
University of Florida
In 2026, Harris was hired as UF‘s cornerbacks coach.[18]
Notes and references
- ^ Offseason and/or practice squad member only
- ^ 2007–08 GATORADE STATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR[permanent dead link]
- ^ Harris, Bailey Among Four Canes Named 1st Team All-ACC Archived January 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ CB Brandon Harris tabbed All-American
- ^ “Brandon Harris entering NFL draft”. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011.
- ^ “Brandon Harris Draft and Combine Prospect Profile”. NFL.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ “Brandon Harris College Football Profile”. DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ “Draft Tracker 2011”. NFL.com. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ^ “2011 NFL Draft Listing”. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ Ganguli, Tania (August 30, 2014). “Houston Texans cut-down analysis”. ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (August 31, 2014). “Titans add receivers T.J. Graham, Kris Durham”. NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
- ^ “Titans bring back CB Brandon Harris”. NBC Sports. March 27, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ “Dolphins make roster moves”. MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2016. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018.
- ^ “Brandon Harris – Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) – Football Coaches”. FIU Athletics. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ^ “Brandon Harris – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks – Staff Directory”. Florida Atlantic University Athletics. April 30, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ^ Burke, Peter (January 10, 2023). “Tom Herman assembles coaching staff from college, professional ranks”. WPTV. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ “Herman Announces Football Staff Changes”. Florida Atlantic University Athletics. November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ “Official Website of UCF Athletics”. UCF Athletics – Official Athletics Website. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ^ “Brandon Harris – Football Coach”. Florida Gators. September 5, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026.