NIU's Harnish happy to lay low during draft
April, 18, 2012
4/18/12
4:29
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
It was impossible for quarterback Chandler Harnish to keep a low profile the past four years at Northern Illinois. The 2011 MAC Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Harnish amassed 11,927 yards of total offense -- the third-highest total in conference history behind Byron Leftwich and former Bears draft choice Dan LeFevour -- and 92 touchdowns (68 passing, 24 rushing) during his career with the Huskies. In 2011, the quarterback threw for 3,216 yards, 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while also rushing for 1,379 yards and 11 scores.
But Harnish sounds content to stay out of the spotlight on draft weekend.
"My agent [Cliff Brady] gave me some real sound advice," Harnish said. "He told me not to have a big draft party. Being that I'm a guy projected to be a late-round pick, it's just not a good idea. He's seen it before where guys have these big parties at their house, and then they don't even get drafted. I'm going to be very low key."
Harnish began the draft process by playing in the East-West Shrine game in January before traveling to Indianapolis for the NFL combine the following month. He has been working out at NIU throwing to receivers since the Huskies held their pro day on campus in early March.
Harnish recently made an official visit to the Seattle Seahawks.
"It's kind of been a hectic process, but it's been a great experience," Harnish said. "Nobody really knows exactly where they are going to end up, so it's a kind of an inexact science. I don't get too caught up in the number of visits because sometimes that doesn't matter. I just tried to put my best foot forward whenever I met with all the teams at the combine and pro days. At the end of the day, I 'm proud of myself and feel good about my performance on the field and in the interview rooms."
Whenever a quarterback enjoys great success at the collegiate level in a spread offense, there will usually be questions about his ability to transition to a more traditional NFL offense. For Harnish, the trick will be finding the right system to fit his style of play.
"I think being an athletic quarterback coming out of college is something I could definitely use to my advantage because the NFL’s changing, and quarterbacks are being able to move out of the pocket more and more and that’s a good trend for me," Harnish said. "But again, I still need to show that I can make the throws and do the things from under center and the different dropbacks to prove that I can play in this league."
[+] Enlarge
Andrew Weber/US PresswireNorthern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2011.
Andrew Weber/US PresswireNorthern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2011."My agent [Cliff Brady] gave me some real sound advice," Harnish said. "He told me not to have a big draft party. Being that I'm a guy projected to be a late-round pick, it's just not a good idea. He's seen it before where guys have these big parties at their house, and then they don't even get drafted. I'm going to be very low key."
Harnish began the draft process by playing in the East-West Shrine game in January before traveling to Indianapolis for the NFL combine the following month. He has been working out at NIU throwing to receivers since the Huskies held their pro day on campus in early March.
Harnish recently made an official visit to the Seattle Seahawks.
"It's kind of been a hectic process, but it's been a great experience," Harnish said. "Nobody really knows exactly where they are going to end up, so it's a kind of an inexact science. I don't get too caught up in the number of visits because sometimes that doesn't matter. I just tried to put my best foot forward whenever I met with all the teams at the combine and pro days. At the end of the day, I 'm proud of myself and feel good about my performance on the field and in the interview rooms."
Whenever a quarterback enjoys great success at the collegiate level in a spread offense, there will usually be questions about his ability to transition to a more traditional NFL offense. For Harnish, the trick will be finding the right system to fit his style of play.
"I think being an athletic quarterback coming out of college is something I could definitely use to my advantage because the NFL’s changing, and quarterbacks are being able to move out of the pocket more and more and that’s a good trend for me," Harnish said. "But again, I still need to show that I can make the throws and do the things from under center and the different dropbacks to prove that I can play in this league."

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
RT @NHLBlackhawks: Shaw-yeah! #Blackhawks http://t.co/zcWhQrnyxR
about 3 hours ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago
Everett Golson leaves Notre Dame http://t.co/JSlPEnYX1d
about 5 hours ago
- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
Let's Go @NHLBlackhawks ...physical Madhouse style = W.I.N.! #BecauseItsTheCup
about 11 hours ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
RT @NU_Bowers: “@AkaGodwin: District Champs and school record in the 100m dash. It was a good day 🙏 we're not done yet!… http://t.co/8amvHu…
about 12 hours ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
Congrats @NULax on a great season...especially to the Sr's! Thank you all- championship effort! As @Tim_Lenahan said 2014 Nat. Champs!
1 day ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
Best of luck to @NULax tonight! #B1GCATS! National Champs...Finish the job!
1 day ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
RT @Jebes11: Mittens http://t.co/89NkDySpjA
1 day ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachbeckman Tim Beckman
Hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! #illini #neverforget http://t.co/2plazEkM34
1 day ago
- coachbeckman Tim Beckman

- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago
Most indispensable players: Northwestern http://t.co/YwiR3hq8mw
1 day ago
- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago

- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago
Weis buyout may cost ND $19 million http://t.co/GSPRaUMT8d
1 day ago
- ESPNChiColleges ESPNChicago

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
“@__AWalkJr: Good Morning Everybody 👋👋 Graduation Today 😁🎓” congrats and enjoy your day!
1 day ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
Let's Go @NHLBlackhawks... Love the line changes...turn up the physicality boys and we go home tied at 2 games each!
2 days ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
RT @NUDM: For our 40th year, we are proud to fight duchenne and support Team Joseph. #NUDM40
2 days ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- Howard_Moore Howard Moore
RT @jbutte33: UIC Basketball - Shooting Camp http://t.co/xRgYO3meaX
2 days ago
- Howard_Moore Howard Moore

- Howard_Moore Howard Moore
RT @jbutte33: UIC Basketball Day Camp http://t.co/YFZDXGZQTN
2 days ago
- Howard_Moore Howard Moore

- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald
RT @NUFBFamily: We know you have missed NU football, but in 100 days (Aug. 31) the #B1GCats return to action at Cal. Are you ready? http://…
2 days ago
- coachfitz51 Pat Fitzgerald

- coachbeckman Tim Beckman
RT @IlliniFBVideo: Fighting Illini Gridiron History #throwbackthursday #illini http://t.co/XBBWLwa0a4
2 days ago
- coachbeckman Tim Beckman

- coachbeckman Tim Beckman
RT @LisaPierce__: We have five going in our group now!!! #Illinois 🏈✋ #Football101 "Put us in Coach" 😉 @kbeckman3 @coachbeckman http://t.…
2 days ago
- coachbeckman Tim Beckman

- coachbeckman Tim Beckman
RT @IlliniFBVideo: Fighting Illini Alum Steve Weatherford NFL Feature http://t.co/xJGSGhhqag
2 days ago
- coachbeckman Tim Beckman

- coachbeckman Tim Beckman
Congrats to our future Illini graduating and joining your Illini family on June 9th! Can't wait to get you here in Champaign! Go Illini!
2 days ago
- coachbeckman Tim Beckman



ESPNCHICAGO.COM COLLEGES ON TWITTER
You must be signed in to post a comment