CFL OFFERS NEW RIDER OPPORTUNITY

Graham Harrell, the Roughriders newest quarterback, was at practise on Tuesday.
Photograph by: Don Healy , Leader-Post

REGINA — Graham Harrell has lived Friday Night Lights.

Harrell said the NBC series about the town of Odessa, Tex., and its passion for football is a little over-dramatic. But it’s a decent representation of what high school football is like in Texas.
Harrell knows all about Texas and football. The record-setting quarterback grew up in Ennis, Tex., before moving to Lubbock, home of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Before he became the NCAA’s all-time touchdown passes leader with 134, he was a record-setting high school quarterback with the Ennis Lions.

“In Texas, they love high school football and they love football in general,’’ said Harrell, who made his first appearance with the Saskatchewan Roughriders during Tuesday’s practice. “In high school, you might have 15,000 for a game. For a playoff game, you might play in front of 20,000, 30,000 or 40,000. The city revolves around it.

“It has a similar feel here. The businesses all have signs and it’s all about Go Riders Go. That’s how it is back home. They rally around the team and support them.’’

Harrell’s signing with the Riders has created a buzz that has been felt across two countries. Harrell is more than an American quarterback trying his luck in the CFL.

He holds the NCAA record for touchdown passes and was the first quarterback to throw for more than 5,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He finished fourth in the race for the 2008 Heisman Trophy and was projected by some experts to be selected in the 2009 NFL draft.
But Harrell was snubbed on draft day. NFL scouts were concerned about his arm strength and that his eye-popping offensive statistics were more a product of the Red Raiders’ spread offence than of Harrell’s abilities.

Harrell was invited to a Cleveland Browns’ mini-camp but didn’t catch on. He generated interest from the fledging United Football League and NFL teams about attending training camps but elected to move to Canada instead.

“I was quite surprised that he wasn’t drafted,’’ said Joe Womack, the Riders’ director of player personnel. “It probably worked in our favour because we got a really talented football player who will have a chance.’’

Riders general manager Eric Tillman, who is on paid administrative leave, has had his sights on Harrell for two years. The spread style of offence the Red Raiders operate is similar to the schemes favoured by CFL teams.

“It fits him pretty well because he’s really good with individual matchups,’’ Mike Leach, the Red Raiders’ head coach. “His overall ability to throw the ball will be as good as anyone in the league. I’m sure he will have a great career up there.’’

Harrell comes from a football background. His father, Sam, is a high school football coach who coached all three of his sons — Zac (28), Graham (24) and Clark (21). Zach is a high school football coach in Texas and Clark is a quarterback with the Abilene Christian University Wildcats. Their mother, Kathy, was a cheerleader.

Harrell has developed a following since arriving in Regina on Friday. He was at the Regina Red Sox game on Monday and drew an ovation after he was introduced.

There was also a larger crowd than usual at Tuesday’s Riders’ practice. The crowd included Michael Lee’s family from Lubbock, who are in Regina for a wedding. Lee said he saw every one of Harrell’s games with the Red Raiders.

“It’s exciting that they are here and that there are some fans from back home,’’ said Harrell.
There wasn’t a lot to see because Harrell had only limited repetitions as the Riders worked on their preparations for Saturday’s game at Mosaic Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos.

“The biggest difference is when you look down the line there aren’t any receivers,’’ Harrell said after Tuesday’s practice. “I have to look behind me to find them.’’

Harrell joins a crowded house in terms of quarterback. There are five under contract — starter Darian Durant and backups Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell and Cole Bergquist. They are all under 27 and are getting a quick lesson in the business aspect of professional football.

“It’s about competition and I think they know that,’’ said Womack. “Graham isn’t coming here to play right away and he knows that there aren’t any guarantees. We’re going to play the best guy.’’

It remains to be seen if Harrell is that player.
“We’re still evolving at our quarterback position and still haven’t had a proven performance yet,’’ said Womack, “We’re not pushing our quarterbacks aside. We just brought in a great talent.’’

Harrell, who was a red-shirt freshman, was accurate as well as prolific with Texas Tech. He threw 134 touchdown passes but only 44 interceptions. He threw for 5,705 yards in his junior season and 5,111 yards in his senior year. His completion percentage was 71.8 as a junior and 70.6 as a senior.

Harrell also has a flair for the spectacular. In 2008, Harrell hooked up with wide receiver Michael Crabtree for a 28-yard touchdown with one second remaining, allowing Texas Tech to upset then top-ranked Texas Longhorns 39-33.

The pass and Crabtree’s reception were regulars on sports highlight shows. It was also shown numerous times at the Espy Awards, of which Harrell was a finalist for the NCAA college football player-of-the-year.

“That’s the play that I will be remembered for,’’ said Harrell. “We let some plays get away from us but it worked out better for us because we were able to complete a play like that.’’

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com