Harrell warming up in 2007
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No. 91 | |||||
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Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Date of birth: | February 14, 1984 | ||||
Place of birth: | Martin, Tennessee | ||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
Weight: | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Martin (TN) Westview | ||||
College: | Tennessee | ||||
NFL Draft: | 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 16 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Tackles: | 28 |
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Player stats at NFL.com |
Justin Tyrell Harrell (born February 14, 1984) is a former American football player. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 16th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft and would be a part of their Super Bowl XLV championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Tennessee.
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 School in Martin, 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.
At the 2007 NFL draft he was selected 16th overall by the Green Bay Packers. 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.