Boston College Transfer RB Montel Harris Lands at Temple

An already unpredictable Big East landscape becomes more so, with the confirmation on Sunday that talented Boston College transfer running back Montel Harris will play for Temple in 2012. Philadelphia Inquirer Temple beat writer Keith Pompey broke the news on Twitter.

Harris left BC in May, after head coach Frank Spaziani dismissed the team’s leading rusher in 2009 and 2010 for “repeated violation of team rules.” Temple was among the schools immediately speculated as a landing spot for Harris, who will have immediate eligibility per NCAA regulations for graduated players. Others mentioned for the tailback included Miami and USF.

Harris rushed for 1457 yards in 2009 to finish second in the ACC behind only Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams, and 1243 in 2010. Injuries sidelined Harris for much of 2011, leaving Spaziani with a committee to fill his void. Rolandan Finch, Andrew Williams and Tahj Kimble all return for BC in 2012.

Conversely, Temple had an aching need for a proven feature back with the departure for NFL-bound Bernard Pierce. Pierce bounced back from an injury-riddled 2010 to produce at one of the highest rates among all FBS running backs last season. He gained almost 1500 yards, and his 27 touchdowns were second only to Heisman finalist Montee Ball of Wisconsin.

Harris will plug nicely into an Owl offense head coach Steve Addazio and departed coordinator Scot Loeffler built around the rush. Returning third down back Matt Brown has given Temple added punch all three seasons he’s been there, accruing 529 yards in ’09; 830 in ’10; and 916 last season. Brown is also a reliable receiver on swing routes and in the flat.

Quarterback Chris Coyer assumed starting duties late last season and gave the Owls stability at the position that has lacked in the program’s run of three successful campaign. Coyer is an excellent rusher, averaging better than eight yards per carry in 2011.

All that Addazio was missing was a replacement for Pierce. In Harris, he has it.

Harris is he consummate every-down back, assuming he can stay healthy. He provided the Eagles with stability in 2009 and 2010 amid shaky-at-best quarterback play. Harris factors into what made Temple successful a season ago, which is a game plan of ball control. The Owl defense was among college football’s best, and the offense’s methodical, multifaceted rushing attack kept opposing defenses on the field. It was classic ground-and-pound football that resulted in Temple having one of the most lopsided time of possession differentials in the FBS at 32:49.