04-08-2025
USC football countdown to kickoff—Ajene Harris in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 27 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC running back cornerback Ajene Harris.
Position: Cornerback
Years played at USC: 2014-2018
Career highlights: Although he played quarterback in high school, Harris switched to wide receiver when he arrived at USC in 2014. As a true freshman, he caught four passes for 38 yards, before missing the entire 2015 season with a hip injury. Following his return to the field in 2016, Harris changed positions again, this time converting to cornerback.
Harris became USC's starter at nickel back towards the end of the 2016 season, holding down that role for the rest of his career in Cardinal and Gold. He finished his time at USC with 148 total tackles, 17 passes defended, six interception—three of which he returned for touchdowns—1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. In addition, Harris returned punts for the Trojans and still took occasional snaps on offense even after converting to cornerback.
After USC: Harris signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent some time with Philadelphia's practice squad, but never appeared in a regular season NFL game. Since 2020, he has played in various other football leagues, including the XFL, the United States Football League (USFL), and most recently the United Football League (UFL).
Harris currently plays for the UFL's Arlington Renegades. In each of the past two years, he has been named to the All-UFL team.
