CATCHING UP WITH ALAN HARPER

The former Fresno State defensive lineman (1998-2001) was a three-time All-WAC selection, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year with the Bulldogs in 2001, and a fourth round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2002. Harper won an Arena League Championship with the San Jose Sabercats with his former Bulldog teammate Rodney Wright in 2007. VSP’s George Takata caught up with Harper to find out what he’s up to these days.

GEORGE TAKATA: What are you doing now?
ALAN HARPER: Right now, I am living in the Bay Area (San Jose) enjoying life. This is the first time in 15 years that I have not played football, so I’m learning how to be a regular person. Ha Ha!

GT: How did it feel to win an arena title with San Jose with Rodney Wright?
AH: Winning the Arena Bowl was great. For most of my football career I’ve come close to winning a title and lost, so winning the big game was a great accomplishment.

GT: How would you describe your NFL experience?
AH: To be honest, it was great because I made a lot of money. But it was very stressful all the time. Their wasn’t a day nor hour where I felt like I had job security. And I played for four years. It’s probably why I have grey hairs now!

GT: What is your fondest memory of playing for Fresno State?
AH: My fondest memory has to be. suiting up and walking down the ramp for the first time. I knew my life had changed, and it changed for the better.

GT: Do you keep in touch with your old teammates?
AH: Yes. I talk to almost all of my teammates from the 2001 team, thanks to facebook! Vernon Fox and Cameron Worrell to name a couple.

GT: Do you get frustrated as a defensive lineman with all these rules to keep quarterbacks safe?
AH: No. You can’t win without a good quarterback so you need to protect them. But I may have a different answer for you if I was still playing!

GT: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
AH: In ten years, If everything goes as planned, I well be living in Brazil.

GT: Was David Carr the best quarterback you ever played with?
AH: David Carr was a good quarterback, but I have been fortunate to play with some great ones like Vinny Testaverde and Chad Pennington. I’d have to say Chad Pennington was the best.

GT: What are your thoughts of Dan Brown? (the former Fresno State defensive coordinator who passed away this summer of brain cancer.)
AH: Dan Brown was the reason I came to Fresno State. He mentored and helped me to become a great football player and man. It hurts to think about it. I miss him a lot.

GT: Three people you would love to have dinner with are?
AH: Good question! Halle Berry, Ivete Sangalo (a famous Latin and Grammy award winning singer from Brazil), and President Obama.

THIS AND THAT: Allocated by the Jets to NFL Europe and played for the Scottish Claymores in 2004 where he posted 36 tackles and 3.0 sacks starting all 10 games…Played in 11 games with the Jets in 2004 recording 6 tackles…Saw action in both playoff games totaling 3 tackles… started 45 of the 50 games he played at Fresno State… Moved into the starting lineup early his freshman year and totaled 233 tackles and 21.0 sacks in his Bulldog career…Was named to the Lombardi and Outland Award watch list as a senior…Defensive Player of the Year and All-WAC first-team selection in 2001 after leading the league with 12.0 sacks…First-team all-conference as both a sophomore and junior…Finished his sophomore season with 80 tackles and 5.0 sacks…Played in every game as a freshman and posted 39 tackles for the season… Single… Just turned 30 years old September 6th.

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