- Name: Hezekiah “Champ” Harris
- Position: Quarterback
- College: Valdosta State University
- height: 6’2
- Weight: 212
- Twitter: @champharris305
- Instagram: @champharris305
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft?
My ability to be a true dual-threat quarterback capable of hurting a defense with my running ability as much as my passing ability.
Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how did you respond?
One time I faced adversity was during my time at Army West Point. I failed my math class. I tried everything on my own, from staying up to teach myself the material to getting my Mom involved and staying up to help me figure it out. It still didn’t work, so I reached out to a fellow student in the class and had an affair with my professor. I work tirelessly every day, meet with the professor if I can during his office hours, and every day after practice meet with my friend to finish my homework and study. We even used to go to our professor’s house for dinner and extra tutoring sessions as well to help understand the material. I did this throughout the rest of the semester, and in the final I got a B, which was the highest grade I got on any test in that class, and I finished the class with a C+.
What are your hobbies outside of football?
A hobby of mine that I enjoy outside of football is solving puzzles. I know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube and do many different puzzles, especially solving them with my Mom and Sister. I also love spending time with my family, anything from watching movies to playing board games or just having a family dinner with my Dad, Mom, little brother, and little sister.
What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?
I see myself as someone who will be the starting quarterback at the next level, looking to help lead an organization to success.
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
The reason I donate is to the Hearing Aid Project, as I am someone who struggles with hearing issues due to congenital cholesteatoma at birth and has had multiple surgeries to correct the issue. Supporting the Hearing Aid Project will allow research into hearing aid development to continue to help people with hearing loss have the chance to hear clearly, and so will I, as I look into getting a hearing aid for myself.
How do you handle teaching, especially criticism or repeated correction?
I love coaching because it gives me the opportunity to learn and improve in areas where I am weak, allowing me to be the best player I can be and maximize my potential.
Who is the most underrated colleague at your school?
The most underrated teammate at my school was Shawn “Chubb” Paschall. He’s the most dynamic running back I’ve ever played with and can do everything. Power, elusiveness, vision you name it, he has it. He admires me every day whether in practice or in the game and I have been watching him since we were 8 and 9 years old. The best part about him is that he is an even better person who always brings laughter and energy.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why would you choose them?
If I could have dinner with 3 people dead or alive, they would be Jesus, Tom Brady, and Martin Luther King Jr. I chose Jesus because I am a Christian, and I wanted to hear his teachings in person. I would ask him many different questions for wisdom about how to handle things in life the way he wants us to. Tom Brady, because he’s the greatest man to ever play the quarterback position, and I want to know the wisdom he has about living and playing the position. And lastly, Martin Luther King Jr., because I wanted to hear about how he faced the difficulty of fighting for justice and all the multitudes against him, and how he faced it peacefully.
If you were to be benched tomorrow, what would be the likely reason?
If I get benched tomorrow the most likely reason is that I need to do a better job of hitting my pocket depth with my footwork to set the pocket properly. Sometimes I cut my drop and I’m closer to the lineman than I should be, which makes me feel pressured at times, leading me to escape early on occasion.
Walk me through your routine before the game?
I woke up and went to treatment for an IV for extra hydration and to make sure I was in the best possible condition for the game. Then I go to the walkthrough and breakfast meetings and other things I need to do with the team. After those things, I listen to music, which is Rod Wave most of the time, and relaxing and watching highlights of people I try to emulate my game after like Lamar Jackson, Trinidad Chambliss, Jayden Daniels, etc. After that, when we’re at the stadium, while getting dressed and warming up, I listen to gospel music to remind myself where I’m going to take the opportunity and who I’m going to play it with. After warming up by myself and warming up with the team, we have a little time before we go out on the field to play, and I read 2 Kings 13: 14-19, and then I have to listen to Knuck If You Buck before every game. I’ve been doing this every game since I was 3 years old.
What is your favorite snack?
My favorite snack is Sour Patch Kids Peaches.
What method do you think suits you best?
The scheme I think fits me best is a Spread rhythm passing offense with some designed quarterback runs sprinkled in.
What is your degree in?
Organizational Leadership.
What’s the first thing you buy with your first NFL check?
The first thing I’ll buy with my NFL check is gifts for all my family members because I appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made for me and the support they’ve given, and I want to show my gratitude to them that way.
Describe a time in a game where you think you made a mistake, and explain how you recovered?
One time I felt like I made a mistake in a game and recovered from it was the first game of my senior year of high school. We play St. Joseph’s Prep out of Philadelphia on ESPN, and we’re off to a very hot start. I even started the game 8/8 for 130+ yards and 2 TDs. I got too comfortable and threw an INT, and we had a few other turnovers, which allowed them to get back into the game, and at one point they even took the lead. I talked about the offense about being motivated when we faced adversity, and with their help we came back and won the game.
Give three songs, we can expect in your playlist?
Forever Set In Stone – Rod Wave, Pass You By – Rod Wave, Pray 4 Love – Rod Wave.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to help the underdogs who play the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past few years, and I will continue my mission. We have several contributors to this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com