Happy 22nd birthday, Jacory. UM Canes former QB signs rookie free agent contract with Eagles; and congrats to the new UM grads

I'm happy for Jacory Harris, who signed a rookie free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, as announced by the Eagles on Friday.

With Harris' signing, the Eagles reached their 90-man limit.

It's Jacory's 22nd birthday today as he starts rookie mini-camp, and I hope he does well.

Harris went undrafted recently, but at least he can now say he had a shot, no mater how daunting it seems it will be for him to turn heads among a crowded Eagles quarterback group that includes Michael Vick, Mike Kafka, Trent Edwards and third-round draft pick Nick Foles from the University of Arizona.

Harris, 6-4 and 195 pounds, passed for 8,826 yards, completed 60 percent of his passes and threw 70 touchdowns passes in his UM career. Unfortunately, as we all know too well, he also threw 48 interceptions.

Last season, Harris threw for 2,486 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine picks.

He finished his career ranked second in school history in both yards and touchdowns, behind Ken Dorsey (9,486 yards; 86 touchdowns).

I just got off the phone with Rodney Harris, Jacory's dad.

"He's real good. Cory doesn't get down about a whole lot of things,'' Rodney said. "He stays positive and upbeat.

"He's really excited. He has to be. All he ever wanted was an opportunity. If we feel he could get into a good system, he'll have a good shot of making someone's team.''

Joining Harris at camp will be Eagles draft pick Brandon Washington, a former teammate of his at Miami Northwestern High, as well as Canes tight end Chase Ford. Former Canes running back Graig Cooper will also be on the minicamp roster as a free agent.

Harris graduated in December in sports administration. He's not even talking about what happens if he doesn't make an NFL roster.

"That'll be Plan B,'' Rodney Harris said. "Cory said take care of Plan A first and then we won't have to rely on Plan B. Plan A is focusing on making that football team with Philadelphia."

So, in closing, Happy Birthday Jacory, and good luck to all the Canes out there trying to make teams.

"He's probably going to be busy all day today so we'll send him a little text or note saying that we miss him,'' Harris' dad said. "We're very proud of him."

2012 UM Hurricanes graduates

Also, congratulations to the 44 student-athletes who received their degrees Friday at UM! They include 13 football players -- newly drafted receiver Tommy Streeter among them.

Women's Basketball

Sylvia Bullock
Shenise Johnson

Men's Basketball
Reggie Johnson
DeQuan Jones
Trey McKinney Jones
Ryan Quigtar

Football
Travis Benjamin
Ramon Buchanan
Cameron Dean
Chase Ford
Sean Goldstein
Jeremy Lewis
Andrew Smith
Tommy Streeter
Andrew Swasey
Vaughn Telemaque
Kendal Thompkins
David Thompson
Jake Wieclaw