NFF College Football Hall of Fame
Position: Center
Years: 1958-1960
Place of Birth: Hampton, AR
Date of Birth: May 04, 1938
Place of Death: Calgary, AB, Canada
Date of Death: Jun 04, 2015
Jersey Number: 55
Height: 6-2
Weight: 186
High School: El Dorado, AR (El Dorado HS)
A supreme blocker on offense and a fierce tackler on defense, Wayne Harris proved Arkansas' need for him on the field for every play. A First Team All-America selection, Harris set an Arkansas single-season record for tackles with 174 in 1960. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, he was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1960. A team captain, he received the Crip Hall Award for an outstanding performance as a senior. Harris was nicknamed "Thumper" for his hard hits, and the Arkansas coaches now honor the best defensive player with the Thumper Award. A true scholar-athlete, Harris was named First Team Academic All-America in 1959 and twice earned First Team Academic All-Conference honors. Following graduation, Harris played 11 seasons for the Calgary Stampeders and is currently a successful businessman as vice president of Cantex Drilling and Exploration. A member of the State of Arkansas Hall of Fame, he remains active with the Special Olympics and the Amateur Sports Association.
