Not many casual NFL fans knew N'Keal Harry's name before the New England Patriots took him with the last pick in the first round in April. Expectations are high that he can turn into the next great Patriots receiver so it's a good time to learn more about him.
Let's look at four things you should know about the former Arizona State Sun Devils star and Tom Brady's new target with the Patriots.
4. Harry once broke a backboard
Like many high NFL Draft picks, Harry also excelled in another sport during high school. That sport was basketball. He is expected to do a lot of impressive things in his NFL career, but there is a good chance nothing will ever top what he did while attending Chandler High School in Arizona.
Harry got a partial breakaway and went up for a two-handed power slam. The slam was powerful enough to shatter the backboard.
The game had to be suspended, but with Chandler leading by 15 points and just a little over a minute left in the game, it was eventually called.
Hopefully, in the offseason, Harry stays away from the basketball courts or there might be a few rims and backboards that need to be replaced.
3. Harry's mom has never seen him play football in person
Harry was sent to the United States to live with his grandmother at the age of four from Saint Vincent in hopes for a better life.
After 17 years apart, @nkealharry15 and his mother are reunited to watch their dreams come true at the @nfldraft. @ATTN X @Uninterrupted #NFLDraft #DraftDay pic.twitter.com/BTMIgzvu84
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) April 25, 2019
Harry's mom was present at the NFL Draft and that was only the fourth time since he left for the United States that the two had seen each other.
According to Harry, his mom has never seen him play football in person, but now that he is in the NFL hopefully they can work on getting her a Visa so she can be in the United States with him.
2. Harry's first paycheck from the NFL is going to his grandmother
Harry's grandmother raised him in Arizona and at the NFL combine, he told ESPN that his first paycheck would be going to her.
“My first check, that's for her. That's for her,” N'Keal said. “That's my thank-you to her. So, whatever she asks for, it'll be given.”
“She's been waiting on this day for so long to stop working, to kick her feet back and relax. She really does deserve that. She's been working so hard all these years. She was retired back home and she literally started all over again. It takes a tremendous amount of heart to do that.”
1. Was the No. 1 wide receiver recruit heading into college
According to rivals, N'Keal Harry was the 18th overall prospect in the 2016 class, and the number one wide receiver. He ranked well ahead of wide receivers AJ Brown (53) and DK Metcalf (70) and also ahead of guys like Joey Bosa and Ed Oliver.
Harry had many offers from all over the country, but decided to stay close to home and to his grandma and pick the Sun Devils. He said during the recruiting process that staying close to her was most an important thing he was looking for in a college.
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