Justin Harrell
Encyclopedia
Justin Tyrell Harrell is an American football
defensive end
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
16th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Tennessee
.
where his team was a state runner-up his senior year. He started three years in basketball and averaged 17 points per game. He also started all four years in football.
. He was the second defensive tackle taken in the draft after Amobi Okoye
(Texans
).
Harrell took part in only limited drills with the Packers in their organized team activities (OTA) practices as a result of the torn biceps tendon suffered while playing for Tennessee. Harrell was cleared to practice with the team at the preseason camp which began July 28. Harrell immediately drew criticism for showing up to OTA and Training Camp his rookie season out of shape and slightly overweight.
On July 27, 2007 Harrell signed a six-year contract with the Packers. The deal reportedly had a maximum value of just under $15 million with approximately $8 million guaranteed. Harrell played in his first NFL game on October 7, 2007 against the Chicago Bears
in Week 5.
Harrell spent 2008 training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. On August 25, he was placed on the Reserve/PUP list, forcing him to miss the first six weeks of the regular season. He was activated on November 1 after defensive end
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
was released. On August 4, 2009, Harrell again injured his back during training camp practice and was inactive for the entire 2009 season.
In the season opener of the 2010 football season, Harrell suffered a "significant knee injury" and was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.
As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, Harrell had participated in just 14 regular season games over four seasons. He was released on July 28, 2011.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
16th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
.
Early years
Harrell was named the 2A Mr. Football in Tennessee and was named All-American by PrepStar recruiting service. During his senior season at tight end he caught 18 passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns. Harrell attended Westview High SchoolWestview High School (Tennessee)
Westview High School is a public high school in Martin, Tennessee, in the Weakley County school district. As of 2006, it has an enrollment of approximately 650 students...
where his team was a state runner-up his senior year. He started three years in basketball and averaged 17 points per game. He also started all four years in football.
Green Bay Packers
At the 2007 NFL draft he was selected 16th overall by the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. He was the second defensive tackle taken in the draft after Amobi Okoye
Amobi Okoye
-Houston Texans:Okoye signed a five-year deal with the Texans on July 26, which allowed him to begin training camp with his teammates the next day. With his first start, Okoye became the youngest player to appear in an NFL game since 1967....
(Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
).
Harrell took part in only limited drills with the Packers in their organized team activities (OTA) practices as a result of the torn biceps tendon suffered while playing for Tennessee. Harrell was cleared to practice with the team at the preseason camp which began July 28. Harrell immediately drew criticism for showing up to OTA and Training Camp his rookie season out of shape and slightly overweight.
On July 27, 2007 Harrell signed a six-year contract with the Packers. The deal reportedly had a maximum value of just under $15 million with approximately $8 million guaranteed. Harrell played in his first NFL game on October 7, 2007 against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Week 5.
Harrell spent 2008 training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. On August 25, he was placed on the Reserve/PUP list, forcing him to miss the first six weeks of the regular season. He was activated on November 1 after defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
Muhammed-Kabeer Olanrewaju Gbaja-Biamila , commonly referred to as "KGB", is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
was released. On August 4, 2009, Harrell again injured his back during training camp practice and was inactive for the entire 2009 season.
In the season opener of the 2010 football season, Harrell suffered a "significant knee injury" and was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.
As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, Harrell had participated in just 14 regular season games over four seasons. He was released on July 28, 2011.