2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Hezekiah Harris, QB, Valdosta State University

• 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 with the ability to hurt a defense with my running ability just as much as my passing ability.

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

A time when I faced adversity was during my time at Army West Point. I was failing my math class. I tried everything on my own, from staying up late to teach myself the material to getting my Mom involved and having her stay up late to help me figure it out. This still wasn’t working, so I reached out to a fellow student in the class and built a relationship with my professor. I worked tirelessly every day, meeting with the professor when I could during her office hours, and every day after practice meeting up with my friend to complete my homework and study. We even used to go to our professor’s house for dinner and extra tutoring sessions as well in order to help understand the material. I did this for the entire rest of the semester, and on the final I got a B, which was the highest grade I got on any test in that class, and I ended 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 a lot of different other puzzles, especially solving them with my Mom and Sister. I also love just spending time with my family, anything from watching movies to playing board games or just family dinner with my Dad, Mom, younger brother, and younger sister.

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level? 

I see myself as somebody who will be a 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? 

A cause I would donate to would be the Hearing Aid Project, because I am someone who has struggled with hearing issues due to a congenital cholesteatoma at birth and have had multiple surgeries to correct the issue. Supporting the Hearing Aid Project will allow the research in hearing aid development to continue in order to help people who suffer from hearing loss get the opportunity to hear clearly, and even me, as I am looking into getting a hearing aid for myself.

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I love coaching because it provides me with the opportunity to learn and get better in areas where I am weak, which allows me to become the best player that I can become and maximize my potential.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

The most underrated teammate at my school is Shawn “Chubb” Paschall. He is the most dynamic running back that I have played with and can do it all. Power, elusiveness, vision you name it, he has it. He amazes 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 always bringing laughs and energy.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why did 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 picked Jesus because I am a Christian, and I would love to hear his teachings in person. I would ask him a lot of different questions for wisdom about how to handle things in life the way he would want us to. Tom Brady, because he is the greatest person to play the quarterback position, and I would like to soak up the wisdom he has about living and playing the position. And lastly, Martin Luther King Jr., because I would like to hear about how he handled the adversity of fighting for justice and all of the many people against him, and how he handled it so peacefully.

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason? 

If I were benched tomorrow the most likely reason would be that I need to do a better job of hitting my depth in the pocket with my footwork in order to set the pocket properly. Sometimes I cut my drop short and I am closer to the lineman than I should be, which makes me feel pressure that isn’t there at times, which leads me to escaping prematurely at times.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

I wake up and go to treatment for an IV for extra hydration and to make sure I am in the best possible condition for the game. Then I go to walkthrough and breakfast meetings and other things I need to do with the team. After those things, I am listening 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 are at the stadium, while getting dressed and warming up, I listen to gospel music to remind myself where I get the opportunity to play the game from and who I do it for. After warming up by myself and warming up with the team, we get 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 done it every game since I was 3 years old.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food is Sour Patch Kids Peaches.

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in? 

The scheme that I feel I fit best in is a Spread rhythm passing offense with some designed quarterback runs sprinkled in.

What is your degree in? 

Organizational Leadership.

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check? 

The first thing I would buy with my NFL check would be gifts for all of my family members because I appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made for me and the support they’ve given, and I would love to show my gratitude towards them in that way.

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

A time when I feel that I made a mistake in a game and bounced back from it was the first game of my senior year in high school. We were playing St. Joseph’s Prep out of Philadelphia on ESPN, and we got off to an extremely 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 back in the game, and at one point they even took the lead. I had a talk with the offense about getting motivated when we face adversity, and with their help we were able to come back and win the game.

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

Forever Set In Stone – Rod Wave, Pass You By – Rod Wave,  Pray 4 Love – Rod Wave.