ROOKIE ERIC MORRIS HELPED SIGN HARRELL

Quarterback Graham Harrell will soon join the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Photograph by: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images files

REGINA — A close friendship with rookie Eric Morris helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders land Graham Harrell, a NCCA record-setting quarterback with the Texas Tech Raiders.
Harrell said Friday from his home in Ennis, Tex., that Morris played a significant role in his decision to sign with the Roughriders. Morris made the Riders this season as a rookie returner.

"Eric was probably my best friend from Lubbock (where Texas Tech is located) and he loves it up there,'' said Harrell, who is expected to arrive in Regina on the weekend. "I've talked to him quite a few times and he told me how much fun it was. Knowing that played a big part in my decision.''

Morris and Harrell were teammates with the Red Raiders through four seasons. Morris is sitting out Saturday's game (1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) against the Montreal Alouettes with a knee injury.
Harrell, meanwhile, signed with the Riders for two years and an option. He boasts quite the resume with the Red Raiders. He twice threw for more than 5,000 yards in a season and holds the NCAA Divison I record for career touchdowns with 134.

After his 2008 season, he was presented with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award for the top senior quarterback and was fourth in the race for the Heisman Trophy. He was a finalist for the Espy Award for the NCAA's top football player but lost out to Florida's Tim Tebow. It was erroneously reported in the Leader-Post on Friday that Harrell won the award.
Harrell, 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, wasn't selected in the 2009 NFL draft. He took part in the Cleveland Browns' mini-camp and had drawn some interest to attend NFL training camps.

There was also a great deal of interest from the fledgling United Football League but Harrell rejected those opportunities to take advantage of what the CFL has to offer.

"This is a great opportunity,'' said Harrell. "I'm looking forward to playing football again and having a blast doing it.''

Harrell, 24, played four seasons for the Red Raiders, which operates a pass-friendly offensive system and is similar to the CFL style of football. He finished with 15,793 yards and the NCAA record for touchdown passes.

In his senior year, Harrell threw for 5,111 yards and 45 touchdowns. As a junior, Harrell threw for 5,705 yards and 45 touchdowns. Harrell was the first player in NCAA history to post consecutive seasons 5,000 or more passing yards.

NFL scouts questioned Harrell's arm strength, which may have contributed to his being overlooked in the United States. He appears to have compensated for that with accuracy and vision. He had completion percentages of 66.9 in sophomore year at quarterback, 71.8 as a junior and 70.6 as a senior. He was also 442-for-626 and just nine interceptions in 2008.
Harrell already knows that the Riders have five quarterbacks under contract. He is willing to bide his team behind starter Darian Durant and backups Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell and Cole Bergquist.

"I'm just thankful for the opportunity,'' said Harrell. "I'm sure all of those quarterbacks can really help me out.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
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