Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 91 Days with Tommie Harris

Today's installment of Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff brings us to 91 days until the start of the 2023 season. In celebration, let's take a look at the life and career of the most productive player to don the number 91 as a Chicago Bear, defensive tackle Tommie Harris.

Tommie Harris' path to the Chicago Bears

A native of Killeen High School, Harris attended Ellis High School, where he turned into a dominant defensive tackle, earning a composite five-star rating as a recruit. Upon being offered a scholarship, Harris eventually committed to the University of Oklahoma, where he would go on to play in every game as a true freshman, contributing two sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

The following year, Harris would have another great season, eventually being nominated for three All-American teams. In 2003, Harris was nominated as a consensus All-American at Oklahoma before committing to the NFL Draft, capping off his final season with 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five sacks. In the 2004 draft, Harris was a highly touted defensive prospect, and would eventually be selected 14th overall by the Chicago Bears, and was the first pick of the Lovie Smith era, having been just hired at the end of the previous season.