NASHVILLE – Marcus Harris wasn't sure what to expect when the Titans drafted him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
One thing the cornerback knew he could control was himself, so he began putting in the work.
After Harris made the team, and then got his chance on the field, he was ready.
"Off the field, I was in my playbook heavy," Harris said as he looked back at his rookie year. "Knowing your job is going to give you a shot to be on the field. And, knowing I wasn't getting a lot of reps on the field, a lot of my reps were in the meeting room, or in walk throughs. So, just knowing my job and my role was probably the biggest thing I did off the field in order to have that success when it was my turn."
Harris is even more confident, and prepared, heading into the 2026 season.
He plans to follow the same approach as he looks to earn a key role in the Titans defense this fall.
A 5-foot-11, 188-pounder, Harris is a real contender to win the nickel spot in the team's defense this fall after a solid offseason, and praise from his coaches.
In 2025, Harris played in 14 games, with five starts, and he tallied 25 tackles, five passes defensed, two quarterback pressures, and a tackle for a loss.
His coaches, and teammates, are high on him.
"Marcus is pretty phenomenal, just getting to be around him on and off the field, as a human being," Titans defensive backs/nickel coach Dalton Hilliard said. "He's a hard worker, he's in the film early, he's in early, he's out (of the building) late. I am just excited about the growth he is going to have this year, and the opportunity he has. Having played some inside and outside, I think he's going to be a great asset for us."
Receiver Chimere Dike, who was roommates with Harris last year in training camp, saw his work ethic up close on and off the field. He's been impressed as well.
"Marcus is obviously a super smart guy, knows the defense well," Dike said. "He's instinctual, and he's quick he's really fast and athletic as well."
Harris, who played his first four college seasons at Idaho before finishing at California, played both inside and outside for the Titans as a rookie. Before ending the season on Injured Reserve, Harris had started to get into a groove in the defense, and he felt more comfortable the more he played.
Earlier this offseason, the Titans signed veteran cornerbacks Alontae Taylor, Cor'Dale Flott and Joshua Williams, but the team didn't pick a cornerback in the draft.
This offseason, Harris said he's focused on getting stronger in the weight room while learning from the veterans around him.
His goal is to earn what he knows is a very important job.
"The nickel is the one who unlocks the defense," he said, "so it's a pretty big role."
His mindset heading into Year 2 is the same.
But he admits he's in a much better place to succeed this time around.
"Probably 10 times more confident," he said. "I played a lot during the second half of the season, and coming into it (this year) I have gotten a lot of reps and am feeling comfortable with the scheme. So, I am feeling a lot more comfortable.
"I think it is a great opportunity, but I am just attacking every situation the same way I did when I came in last year. Just come into work and accepting whatever role."
