Addazio eagerly awaiting new RB
Boston College transfer Montel Harris could be a dominant force in the Big East.
NEWPORT, R.I. - Montel Harris got Temple fans excited last month when he arrived on campus. But that reaction will pale in comparison to the one Harris will receive Saturday, when he lines up at running back on the first day of Temple's training camp.
"I can't wait to see him practice," Owls coach Steve Addazio said Tuesday of the Boston College transfer. "That hasn't happened. That's coming here shortly."
On paper, Harris is better than former Temple running back Bernard Pierce, the third-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in April.
One could make a case that Harris the best player in the Big East without having ever played a down.
In addition to being Boston College's all-time leading rusher, his 3,735 career yards are tops among active Football Bowl Subdivision running backs.
Harris is also the Eagles' leader in 100-yard games (22) and carries (786) and ranks third in touchdowns (27). He was 867 yards shy of the Atlantic Coast Conference career rushing mark of 4,602, set by N.C. State's Ted Brown (1975-78).
Temple plans to use Harris and Matt Brown in tandem similar to the one-two punch Pierce and Brown provided last season.
"Obviously, we have a great running back in Matt Brown," Addazio said. "And Montel's here and Montel's been a tremendous running back.
"We are going to run the ball so much. We need that."
However, there are some questions surrounding the graduate student, who was able to transfer without sitting out and has one season of eligibility.
The 5-foot-10, 207-pounder is coming off a recurring knee injury that allowed him to play in only two games last season. He also missed the Eagles' spring practices. And he was dismissed from Boston College's team in May for a repeated violation of an undisclosed team rule.
"He's in great shape," Addazio said of the knee.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native came here to reunite with former Boston College wideouts coach Ryan Day and former Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers. Day enters his first season as Temple's offensive coordinator and wideouts coach. Rogers is the Owls' new associate head coach and quarterbacks coach.
"To be able to have someone of his ability and his experience to be able to step right in . . . I feel great about that," Addazio said.