Who is Graham Harrell?

Harry · December 10, 2015

wiki link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Harrell

Graham Harrell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Graham Harrell
No. 6
Harrell with the Packers in August 2011.
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth:	May 22, 1985 (age 30)
Place of birth:	Brownwood, Texas ^[1]^[2]
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:	Ennis (TX)
College:	Texas Tech
Undrafted:	2009
Career history
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2009)* Green Bay Packers (2010–2012) New York Jets (2013)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl Champion (XLV) NFC Champion (2010)
Career NFL statistics
TD-INT:	0–0
Passing yards:	20
Stats at NFL.com

Stats at CFL.ca

Graham Stanton Harrell (born May 22, 1985) is an American Football assistant coach for the Washington State Cougars and former American football and Canadian Football quarterback. He played college football at Texas Tech University, where he was an All-American quarterback and set school, conference and national records for passing yards, attempts, completions, and touchdown passes. Harrell was signed into the National Football League in 2010 by the Green Bay Packers. He was also a member the New York Jets. Prior to his time in the NFL, he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2009 as an undrafted free agent in the Canadian Football League.

Early years

Harrell played at Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas, where he was coached by his father, Sam Harrell. He was the starting quarterback for three seasons and led the Ennis High Fighting Lions to a state Class 4A title as a sophomore. He also played in the 2004 Oil Bowl, receiving the offensive MVP award.^[3]

Harrell set Texas high school records in the following categories:^[4]

Single-season passing yards (4,825 in 2003 over 13 games; the next two quarterbacks on the list set their records over 16-game seasons). This record stood until 2007 when it was broken by Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert.^[5]
Career passing yards (12,532 from 2000–2003; Broken by Gilbert in 2008).^[6]
Single-season touchdown passes (67 in 2003)
Career touchdown passes (167 from 2000–2003)^[7]
Single-season pass completions (334 in 2003; also broken by Gilbert, who recorded 359 completions in 2007).^[8]

In addition, Harrell ranks second in career pass completions (805 from 2000–2003).

College career

Freshman and Redshirt Freshman seasons

In 2004, Harrell redshirted his first season at Texas Tech. The following season, he served as the backup quarterback behind another Texas Tech record setter, Cody Hodges, who led college football in passing yards in 2005.

Sophomore season

Harrell started in every game of the 2006 season, beating out classmate Chris Todd. Harrell got the Raiders off to a quick start with wins over Southern Methodist, Texas-El Paso, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas A&M. The Raiders however lost to Texas Christian, 12-3 in the third game of the season. After the 4-1 start, Harrell was benched halfway through the next game after the Raiders fells behind the Missouri Tigers 24-0, and Todd was inserted for two series. Harrell came back into the game and got the Raiders within 3 points but struggled in the second half and lost 38-21. The next week against a Colorado team the Raiders were heavily favored to beat, Harrell once again was benched for a 4 interception game. However, Harrell rebounded to throw for 6 touchdowns against the Iowa State Cyclones and then threw for 519 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Texas Longhorns in a narrow 35-31 loss. The Raiders finished the season with a win against the Baylor Bears, a close loss to the Oklahoma Sooners and a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He threw for 4,555 passing yards, the third-most by a sophomore in NCAA Division I FBS history and the most ever thrown by a sophomore in the history of the Big 12.^[9]^[10] Texas Tech finished the season 7-5 (4-4 in the Big 12) and received an invitation to the 2006 Insight Bowl.^[11]

Texas Tech struggled on both offense and defense during first 3 quarters of the Insight Bowl. The Minnesota Golden Gophers outscored Tech 38 to 7 through the end of the 3rd quarter. The Red Raiders, sparked by a 43-yard TD from Harrell to Joel Filani, went on to outscore the Gophers 31-0 through the end of regulation sending the game into overtime. On the final drive, Harrell drove the Red Raider offense almost 70 yards in less than a minute to set up the game tying field goal by Alex Trlica. Following a Minnesota field goal, Tech scored a touchdown to win the game 44-41 capping a 31 point deficit; the largest come-from-behind victory in NCAA FBS bowl history. Harrell threw for 445 yards 2 TDs and 1 rushing TD and was named the Offensive MVP.^[12] Tech finished the year 8-5 and fourth in the Big 12 South.

Junior season

Harrell in August 2007.

Following his decision to return to school rather than enter the 2008 NFL Draft,^[13] Harrell continued the success he had the previous season. Harrell won several awards during the 2007 season^[14]^[15] including the Sammy Baugh Trophy recognizing the nation's top college passer.^[16] He is the third Texas Tech quarterback to receive the award, following Kliff Kingsbury (2002) and B.J. Symons (2003). Tech's offense was once again the best in the nation as he led the Red Raiders to an 9-4 record that featured an upset of third ranked Oklahoma Sooners team and a victory over Virginia in the Gator Bowl.

Senior season

Entering his senior season, Harrell had 89 career passing touchdowns, putting him within range of Colt Brennan's NCAA record of 131 touchdowns.^[17] Before the beginning of his final season, CBS Sports listed Harrell as a Heisman hopeful. Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree's name also appeared on the list.^[18] Harrell was also named one of 26 candidates for the 2008 Unitas Award, given to the nation's best senior college football quarterback.^[19] Additionally, his name appeared among 30 other quarterbacks in the Davey O'Brien Award watch list.^[20] Harrell, along with Coach Mike Leach and teammate Michael Crabtree were featured on the cover of the 2008 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football.^[21]

To support the Heisman campaign of both Harrell and Crabtree, Texas Tech created a website called PassOrCatch2008.com, which is modeled after political campaigns. The site garnered national attention and was awarded a Telly Award which honors the best in local, regional, and cable commercials and programs, as well as online videos, films, and commercials.^[22]^[23] After leading the Red Raiders to a victory over the #1 Texas Longhorns, Harrell and teammate Daniel Charbonnet were selected for Big 12 player of the week honors.^[24] Harrell also leaped McCoy to make it to the top of the Heisman poll.^[25] Harrell was also one of ten finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and one of thirteen finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award.^[26]^[27]^[28]

Following the inaugural game of the 2008 season, where Texas Tech defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles, 49–24, Harrell was selected as the AT&T ESPN All-America Player.^[29] After the Red Raiders 58–28 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, Harrell received two more honors. He was recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and the O'Brien Quarterback of the Week.^[30]^[31] During the game against Kansas State, Harrell broke the all-time record for passing yards at Texas Tech. The previous record, set by Kliff Kingsbury, was 12,429 yards. After the game, Harrell's record stood at 12,709 yards.^[31] Following the 63–21 win over #18 Kansas on October 25, 2008, Harrell was again named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Teammate Matt Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.^[32] After Tech's 65–21 loss to Oklahoma, Harrell's chances of winning the Heisman were reduced.^[33] Harrell finished fourth in the Heisman race but did not receive an invitation to attend the presentation ceremony. Michael Crabtree finished fifth.^[34]

Playing with 2 broken fingers on his left hand, Harrell leads Tech to victory over Baylor.

In the final regular season game against Baylor, Harrell shattered two of his fingers (the pinkie and middle finger) of his non-throwing hand during the second quarter. At halftime, Harrell's hand was x-rayed, and medical examiners advised Harrell to discontinue playing in the game. Harrell replied, "Tape my hand up. I'm going out." Harrell played the rest of the game with black tape around his fingers. He finished with 309 total passing yards and two touchdowns. With the victory, Tech clinched a share of the Big 12 South title, though fell short at going to the Big 12 Championship Game. On the day following the Baylor game, Harrell underwent a four-hour surgery, in which 17 pins and two plates were inserted into his injured hand to heal nine different breaks. He was later cleared to play in the postseason bowl game.^[35]

On December 2, 2008, Harrell and teammate Michael Crabtree were named as Walter Camp Award finalists.^[36]

On December 4, 2008, the American Football Coaches Association compiled its 2008 AFCA Coaches' All-American Team, with Harrell headlining the list.^[37]

In December 2008, Harrell, Coach Mike Leach, Leach's wife, and Blayne Beal, the associate Tech media relations director, were in Baltimore for the presentation of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award to Harrell. While there, they received an invitation to Washington, D.C., to meet the president. On December 13, 2008, the group toured the White House and met with President George W. Bush, who disclosed that he watches college football on a regular basis. Bush also told Leach that he frequently talks with his 1978 congressional election rival, Kent Hance, the Texas Tech chancellor.^[38]

On October 25, 2008, Graham Harrell passed Philip Rivers to move into sole possession of third place for passing yardage in a career. On November 22, 2008, Harrell passed Ty Detmer to move into second for passing yardage in a career behind Timmy Chang.^[39] On January 2, 2009, Harrell played his final collegiate game, a 34-47 loss to Ole Miss in the 2009 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. In the game, Harrell finished his college career with an NCAA all-time record of 134 passing touchdowns, breaking the previous mark of 131 set by Colt Brennan. He also equaled Brennan's record of 147 career touchdowns passing, rushing, and receiving, a record that would be broken the following year by Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour. Harrell also compiled 5,111 passing yards in the season, becoming the first NCAA player to post multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons.^[40]

NCAA Records

Harrell holds 8 Individual NCAA records. See also NCAA records held by individual Red Raiders

NCAA record	Statistic
Most Passes Completed per Season^[41]	512 (2007)
Most Passes Completed, Season Per Game^[41]	39.4 (2007)
Most Passes Completed, Career Per Game^[41]	31.2
Most Games Gaining 400 Yards or More Passing per Season ^[41]	11 (2007) (13 Games)
Most Games Gaining 400 Yards or More Passing per Career^[41]	20 (Tied)
Most Yards Gained Against One Opponent, Career Per Game^[41]	486.3 (Minimum 3 Games, vs Texas)
Most Seasons Gaining 4,000 Yards or More Total Offense^[41]	3 (Tied)
Most Games Gaining 400 Yards or More, Career Total Offense^[41]	21 (Tied)

The NCAA Records book also mentions Graham Harrell for the following items:^[41]

Single-Game Yards Passing: 646 (Rank 6th) (Vs Oklahoma St. Sept. 22, 2007)
Single-Game Yards, TOtal Offense: 643 (Rank 7th) (Vs Oklahoma St. Sept. 22, 2007)
Single-Game Attempts: 72 (Rank 23rd) (vs Oklahoma Nov. 17, 2007)
single-Game Completions: 48 (18th) (vs UTEP Sept. 8, 2007)
Single-Game Completions: 47 (Rank 20th) (vs Oklahoma Nov. 17, 2007)
Season Yards Passing: 5,705 (Rank 2nd) 2007
Season Yards Passing: 5,111 (Rank 8th) 2008
Season Yards Total Offense: 5,614 (Rank 5th) 2007
Season Yards Total Offense: 5.096 (Rank 13th) 2008
Season Yards Per Game Passing: 438.8 (Rank 3rd) 2007
Season Yards Per Game Passing: 393.2 (Rank 14th) 2008
Season Yards Per Game Total Offense: 431.8 (Rank 3rd) 2007
Season Yards Per Game Total Offense: 392 (Rank 18th) 2007
Season Touchdown Passes: 48 (Rank 7th) 2007
Season Touchdown Passes: 45 (Rank 14th) 2008
Career Yards Passing: 15,793 (Rank 4th)
Career Yards TOtal Offense: 15,599 (Rank 5th)
Career Yards Passing Per Game: 351 (Rank 3rd)
Career Yards Per Game Total Offense: 346.6 (Rank 5th)
Career Touchdown Passes: 134 (Rank 3rd)
Annual Total Offense Champion: 2007

NCAA Records Reference (Last referenced for 2015 season) ^[41]

Awards and honors

Harrell has received multiple honors, including the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

2006	2006 Insight Bowl MVP	Selected	^[12]
2006	Academic All-Big 12	Selected for first team	^[42]
2007	AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week	Selected twice
2007	Sammy Baugh Trophy	Winner
2007	Academic All-Big 12	Selected for first team	^[43]
2008	2008 Gator Bowl MVP	Selected	^[44]
2008	AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week	Selected four times
2008	Academic All-Big 12	Selected for first team	Posted a 4.00 GPA^[45]
2008	AFCA Coaches' All-American	Selected	^[37]
2008	National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete	Selected	^[46]
2008	Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award	Winner	^[47]^[48]
2008	Heisman Trophy	Candidate	Finished fourth^[49]
2008	The Sporting News 2008 National Player of the Year	Selected	Co-national player of the year with Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy^[50]
2008	AT&T All-America Player of the Year	Winner	Voted on by fans^[51]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following his senior season at Texas Tech, Harrell entered the 2009 NFL Draft but went undrafted to the surprise of many.^[52] He participated with the Cleveland Browns in their rookie camp the first weekend in May 2009 but was not signed despite coach Eric Mangini giving Harrell praise.^[53] UFL Access reported that Harrell would work out in front of United Football League representatives in Las Vegas.^[54]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On July 20, 2009, Harrell signed a two-year plus an option contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.^[55]

Harrell requested to be released from his CFL contract to pursue his NFL options, and was released by the Roughriders on April 22, 2010.^[56]^[57]

Green Bay Packers

Harrell signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 19, 2010. He was released on September 4, but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On December 18, Harrell was signed to the active roster due to an injury to Aaron Rodgers. On September 3, 2011, the Packers released Harrell, but they re-signed him on September 4, 2011, to the practice squad.^[58] On December 7, 2011, the Packers again signed Harrell to the active roster. After the departure of primary back-up Matt Flynn, Harrell was promoted to the active roster full time and was named Rodger's primary back-up.

On September 30, 2012, Graham played in his first game for Green Bay. Coming in for one snap in the red zone, Harrell tripped on his center, resulting in a botched hand off and a lost fumble.^[59] Harrell hosted a weekly sports talk show called the "Witt Ford Red Zone with Graham Harrell" every Monday during the 2012 season on 104.1 FM WRLU and archived at DoorCountyDailyNews.com.^[60]

Harrell struggled in the pre-season and on August 24, 2013, USA Today reported that Green Bay would be releasing Harrell.^[61]

New York Jets

Harrell was signed by the New York Jets on August 28, 2013. He was brought in after reserve quarterback Greg McElroy re-injured his knee.^[62] He was released on September 2, 2013 after the Jets signed Brady Quinn.^[63]

Coaching career

Harrell joined the coaching staff at Washington State in April 2014, re-uniting him with his college coach Mike Leach.^[64] In February 2015, Harrell was named the football program's outside receivers coach, replacing Dennis Simmons.^[65]

Personal

Harrell is the son of Sam and Kathy Harrell. He was born in Brownwood, where his grandfather served as assistant coach to Gordon Wood. Harrell has an older brother, Zac, who was a receiver on Ennis High's 2000 State Championship team, and is a graduate of the University of North Texas and coaches football on the high school level as he serves as Offensive Coordinator at Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Texas. Graham also has a younger brother, Clark Harrell, who played a year at quarterback for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Clark transferred to Abilene Christian University after his freshman season at Tulsa and graduated from ACU in 2011. Clark is now a defensive secondary coach at Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Texas

Sam Harrell, Graham's father, was the highest paid high school coach in Texas as of the 2005-06 academic year.^[66] He coached at Reagan County (1990–1993) and Ennis (1994-2009) before retiring from coaching duties in December 2010 due to health problems. Sam returned to the sidelines after over 2 years of aggressive treatment for Multiple Sclerosis ^[67] and coaches in Brownwood under Bob Shipley, father of Jacksonville Jaguars and former Texas wideout Jordan Shipley.^[68]

Harrell has been married to the former Brittney Tomlinson of Tyler, Texas since March 2012 and currently resides in Tyler.

Ben Gooding · December 10, 2015

Super Bowl Champ....I would wear that ring on every recruiting visit. js.

GreenTexan13 · December 10, 2015

Damn this guy is young! Glad he is coaching here at North Texas! Depending on how successful him and Littrell are, he could possibly be a UNT HC in training.

untcampbell · December 10, 2015

Well, one of his brothers went to North Texas. Him and another brother coach at Sweetwater. Anyone take a look at that roster?

I love players that are coach's sons....and I am glad we have a coach that is a coach's sons.

GMG

TheFranchise · December 10, 2015

If I'm Graham Harrell on a recruiting visit to a QB, this is what I'd say . . .

"You know, *insert player name*, I was once a high school senior like yourself and had aspirations to throw for a crap-ton of yards in college, set a bunch of NCAA records, go pro and win a Super Bowl. I had a coach that believed I could do that."

Harrell then shows the kid his Super Bowl ring and a picture of his trophy case at home.

"I know a thing or two about what that takes and I believe in you to do what I did. Come to UNT and let's make it happen."

Boom, rinse, wash and repeat and start hauling in all the good local QB recruits.

Aldo · December 10, 2015

He broke my heart many years ago. That's who.

TheReal_jayD · December 11, 2015

If I'm Graham Harrell on a recruiting visit to a QB, this is what I'd say . . .
"You know, *insert player name*, I was once a high school senior like yourself and had aspirations to throw for a crap-ton of yards in college, set a bunch of NCAA records, go pro and win a Super Bowl. I had a coach that believed I could do that."
Harrell then shows the kid his Super Bowl ring and a picture of his trophy case at home.
"I know a thing or two about what that takes and I believe in you to do what I did. Come to UNT and let's make it happen."
Boom, rinse, wash and repeat and start hauling in all the good local QB recruits.

THIS!!! (He is another good recuiter)

Ben Gooding · December 11, 2015

If I'm Graham Harrell on a recruiting visit to a QB, this is what I'd say . . .
"You know, *insert player name*, I was once a high school senior like yourself and had aspirations to throw for a crap-ton of yards in college, set a bunch of NCAA records, go pro and win a Super Bowl. I had a coach that believed I could do that."
Harrell then shows the kid his Super Bowl ring and a picture of his trophy case at home.
"I know a thing or two about what that takes and I believe in you to do what I did. Come to UNT and let's make it happen."
Boom, rinse, wash and repeat and start hauling in all the good local QB recruits.

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

Aldo · December 11, 2015

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

now we're talking

TheReal_jayD · December 11, 2015

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

maybe out of the 85 we could find one quality one. then we would have 1 more than we do now..prolly help with WR recruiting as well. recievers like catching passes.. maybe running backs as well they like scoring tds. and even lineman they like locking on high scoring teams lol

Christopher Walker · December 11, 2015

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

now we're talking

I mean, that is partially what's making TCU work right now.

Aldo · December 11, 2015

I mean, that is partially what's making TCU work right now.

if only Baylor had followed suit

Edited December 11, 2015 by Aldo

ColoradoEagle · December 11, 2015

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

And somehow, McNulty still starts with Greer as backup.

MGNation92 · December 11, 2015

Yeah, let's have 85 scholarship QB's.

It didn't exactly hurt Ohio St. this year lol

Moobs · December 11, 2015

I do love this hire, and I'm SUPER-FUCKING-EXCITED to renew my season tickets again...

But is anyone else concerned that the "Coaching Career" section is only 2 sentences? I mean, the only section shorter is titled "New York Jets" and it's only shorter by a couple words...