Charles Harris a difference maker for Mizzou against Vols

Missouri might be out of the bowl game discussion this season with a 3-7 record, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers are short on talent.

Defensive end Charles Harris is arguably the Tigers’ most important player on defense. Tennessee’s new duo of running backs could pose a problem for the Missouri defense, but Harris possesses the ability to spoil the party.

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Harris was a multi-sport athlete in high school. During his junior year at Lincoln Prep High School, Harris was named to the First Team All-Interscholastic League and earned Player of the Year honors. On the football field, Charles Harris was named to the All-Kansas City Metro third team.

There are a plethora of lists that Harris found himself on prior the start of the 2016 season. He was named to the preseason All-SEC team, Nagurski, Lombardi and Bednarik Award watch lists. The junior defensive end has recorded 52 tackles and eight sacks on the season.

Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, Harris has provided a spark for Missouri’s defense this season. In the Tigers’ 28-27 loss to Georgia, he made seven tackles and had three sacks. Harris forced a fumble against Florida and had a season-high in tackles against Vanderbilt, recording nine.

If Harris has a big game on Saturday, the Vols will have to rely on quarterback Josh Dobbs’ arm to win. Missouri has a good chance to put lots of pressure on Dobbs because of the inconsistent play of the Vols’ offensive line.

Harris puts up his best numbers in SEC play. It’s very possible that he could have a career day in Knoxville on Saturday. The real question will be whether the rest of the Tiger defense can handle the intensity that Neyland Stadium brings to visiting teams.

This season might be one to forget for Missouri, but Harris has a chance to add another memorable moment to his collegiate career in front of up to 102,455 people this weekend.

Edited by David Bradford and Nathan Odom

Featured image by Mitchell3417