Greatest college football player born in each state
The great state of Maine is anything but a football hotbed. Located farther north than any of the continental United States, surrounded on three sides by Canada, and with a population that ranks No. 41 out of 50, Maine has just one Division I college football program (the University of Maine), and none that play in the FBS. Nevertheless, the Pine Tree State has produced several great college football players.
The best of the bunch is Al Harris, who was was born in Bangor, attended high school in Hawaii and landed at Arizona State, where he was part of the 12-0 team that finished No. 2 in the country in 1975. Harris became an All-American defensive lineman in 1978 – the first season in which the Sun Devils played in the Pac-10 after transitioning from the WAC.
In fact, Harris was the first unanimous All-American selection in Arizona State history and earned the honor on the strength of 19 sacks, which ranks second on the school’s all-time list. Harris was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
After college, Harris was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Harris was an important member of a punishing Chicago defensive line in the 1980s, but missed the historic 1985 Super Bowl-winning season because of a contract dispute. Harris played for the Bears until 1988, then spent two years with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Maine:
- Chester Bulger, OL, Auburn
- John Bunting, LB, North Carolina
- Stan Hindman, DL, Ole Miss
- John Huard, LB, Maine
- Will Montgomery, OL, Virginia Tech
Next: Maryland