Harper played for the Fresno State Bulldogs from 1998 to 2001. He sat out the 1997 season while fulfilling academic requirements. He earned first-team All-WAC honors in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Harper was Fresno State's nominee for WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and won the award in 2001. He was also named a second-team All-American by The Sporting News his senior season in 2001.[1]
Professional career
Harper was selected by the New York Jets with the 121st pick in the 2002 NFL draft and signed with the team on July 24, 2002.[2][3][4][5] He was released by the Jets on October 15, 2003, and signed to the team's practice squad on October 16, 2003.[4][6] He was promoted to the active roster on December 17, 2003.[7] Harper was allocated to NFL Europe on February 9, 2004, where he played for the Scottish Claymores.[7][8] He was named to the All-NFL Europe Team for his play during the 2004 season.[7] He was released by the Jets on September 5 and signed to the team's practice squad on September 6, 2004. Harper was promoted to the active roster on September 27, 2004.[4][7] He played in eleven games for the Jets during the 2004 season.[3] He was released by the Jets on August 31, 2005.[7]