Wayne Harris (1998) - Hall of Fame

Wayne Harris

Induction:
1998
Class:
1982

Wayne Harris is known as one of the best blockers to come through Mississippi State. He lettered for the football program for four years, 1979 to 1982. He then went on to play in the USFL and the NFL.

Harris earned many awards and honors throughout his time at Mississippi State, but he felt most proud in winning the Jacobs Award. The Jacobs Award was presented to the most outstanding blocker in the Southeastern Conference, and Harris not only won this award once, but twice in back-to-back years. He was named first-team All-SEC from 1980 to 1982 and was the only non-junior, non-senior besides Herschel Walker to receive this accolade in his sophomore year. He received Football News third-team All-American accolades in 1981 and 1982 as well. He also helped lead MSU to its first back-to-back bowl game appearances.

In his senior year, he was named to Southern Living magazine’s preseason All-South Team, Sporting News preseason All-American team, first team preseason All-SEC and Honorable mention Gameplan All-America. Post-season, he competed in the Blue-Gray Game and was asked to play in the Senior Game as well. He was also named to the First Team Mizlou Network All-American Team.

After his college career, Harris went on to play for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL for three seasons, where he blocked for football great Herschel Walker. After his time with the Generals in the USFL, he signed with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, where he finished his football career in 1986.

He came back to MSU to earn his degree in agriculture economics after his time on the professional football field.