2021 Countdown to Kickoff: 82 Days (Christian Harris)

Written by Evan Orris

The Hoosier Huddle countdown marches on as we hit the lower 80s. Today’s featured player is wide receiver Christian Harris, who won the inaugural Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-On Award.

Christian Harris

Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: Redshirt Senior

Height/Weight: 6’3”/ 176 lbs.

Last spring the Indiana program was faced with tragedy. During a protest in Indianapolis, former IU offensive lineman Chris Beaty was shot and killed while trying to protect two women who were being robbed. In honor of Beaty, the Hoosiers renamed their team’s annual walk-on award to the Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-On Award.

This season Christian Harris was named as the co-winner of the first annual Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-On award. Harris started his career at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill. In 2018, he caught 10 passes for 150 yards as a member of the Chaparrals. He was there for two seasons before transferring to Bloomington, Ind.

After three games in 2019, he redshirted the rest of the season. However, Harris was a major part of the gameday preparation for the Hoosiers. Harris earned the offensive scout team player of the week before the Ohio State game that year, and also received the special teams’ player of the week leading up to the Ball State game.

Last season, Harris appeared in five games mostly on special teams. He will most likely play a similar role this year as a special teams’ gunner. Harris plays a small role in games, but his story and work ethic are felt in a huge way through the locker room. He displays the determination and selflessness that Chris Beaty showed every day in his short, but impactful life.