Tyriq Harris

Classroom

Harris is a 2019 and 2020 National Football Foundation William V. Campbell semifinalist, awarded to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.

Of note, Harris missed the 2019-20 season with an injury, leaving him ineligble for several awards that include playing time requirements. He is a 2019 UNC Charlotte graduate with cum laude honors and a 3.67 GPA. He has earned his degree in biology and is currently pursuing a second undergraduate degree in business. Harris was the 2018-19 Conference USA Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was also named to the Google Cloud Academic All-District 3 by CoSIDA.

He has been named to the C-USA All-Academic Team in 2017-18 and 2018-19, as well as the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll all five of his seasons. He posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in Fall 2015 and Spring 2017 semesters. Harris has boasted a GPA of 3.0 or higher in each of his 10 semesters. During his academic career, Harris earned Chancellor’s List honors four times, and both Dean’s List and Athletic Directors List honors three times.

Character

Harris is a two-time Wuerffel Trophy Watch List candidate, honored to top community servants. He was elected team captain in 2018, 2019, and 2020, becoming the program’s first three-time team captain. Harris is also the first three-time “Mr. 49er”, an award given by Charlotte’s SAAC for participation, invovlement, and engagement in SAAC activities and community service projects.

Charlotte 49ers HC Will Healy called Harris the best human he knows. He is more than a member of SAAC or a participant in community service activites, he engages himeslf and is eager to positvely impact the lives of those he touches. Harris owns a bright personality, a strong faith, an authentic positivity, and a generous spirit that are all on full display, especially when interacting with children.

Community

Harris has been a longstanding member of the 49ers Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has been named “Mr. 49er” by the SAAC each of the last three years - a testament to his involvement and engagement. Harris has been a SAAC Officer (Operations Manager) for two years. During this time, he has represented the athletic department at the 2018 and 2019 APPLE Training Convention that investigates ways to combat alcohol and drug abuse on campuses.

Harris has tallied a long list of charitable organizations that he has worked with and volunteered for during his time on campus, several of which are geared towards the development of young people. They include Elevation EKidz, YMCA Miracle League All-Star Game and Healthy Kids Day, Tim Tebow Night to Shine, Dream, Dance MArathon, Harrisburg (NC) 4th of July Parade, Weddington Hills Elementary Field Day and reading programs, Devonshire Elementary, Kings Kitchen, and #SAACCares Holiday Drive distribution to Project 658.

Competition

Harris is the programs first three-time team captain and four-year starter. He was named All-Conference USA honorable mention in 2018-2019 by the league’s coaches and All-Conference USA third team by Phil Steele. In 2016, Harris was named to the Conference USA all freshman team.

Through four games in 2020-21, Harris ranks seventh all-time in career tackles, fifth all-time in career tackles for loss, and fourth all-time in career sacks in Charlotte history. He shares a single-game school record with 4 QB hurries vs. Rice in 2016.