“At corner: No. 7, Allante Harrison.”
That?s how it was supposed to sound, not: “Enterprise, this is ?Tae, how can I help you?”
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Coming out of Towson University this time last year, cornerback Allante Harrison had high hopes of being selected in the NFL draft and fulfilling his dream. He was thinking fifth or sixth round, and at worst, a free-agent workout offer.
He got nothing.
“It?s been a tough process. It?s been a humbling process,” said Harrison, 24. “It?s been something anyone can learn from.”
Now he?s working part-time and full-time jobs while playing with the Continental Indoor Football League?s Chesapeake Tide, which has a 12-game schedule from April through June and plays home games at Show Place Arena in Prince George?s County. Harrison is listed as a defensive back and wide receiver.
When Harrison played at Towson, coach Gordy Combs toyed with the idea of playing him on offense.
“You could just see what he could do with the ball in his hands,” Combs said, pointing to interception returns against Elon and Delaware in 2004. “He?s a playmaker.”
Harrison had 10 career interceptions at Towson, including seven as a junior in 2004, and returned two for touchdowns. He earned All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors as a senior, the year opposing teams didn?t throw to his side as often asthey had in 2004.
His penchant for the clutch interception and the big return earned him the nickname “Big Play ?Tae.” There is still a highlight reel video on Google.com showcasing his sub-4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash and lock-down coverage skills.
Harrison ran a 4.36/40 in a workout before the 2006 draft, but he was crushed when he saw players like Florida State?s Antonio Cromartie, who didn?t even play his senior year of college because of injuries, go in the first round.
“Because he went to a big-time school, they get that right,” Harrison said.
Harrison credits his size (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) and his college choice, coupled with his unfamiliarity with the draft process, for his current status.
“He?s good for the indoor game. He probably fell into the same scenario, coming from a small school,” Tide coach Matt Steeple said. “This is his development time.”
Lately, Harrison has not been looking for an NFL contract, though his dream still remains the same. He is hoping his exposure with the Tide will land him an NFL tryout. All he wants is closure and peace.
“Not ever having the opportunity to work out for a team ? I don?t want to give up knowing I can still do something,” Harrison said.
Feeling overlooked, all he wants is a chance to be seen.
“If I can go into a camp, I feel like I?ve accomplished what I?ve wanted,” Harrison said. “I feel from then, my abilities will speak for themselves.”
