29-year-old walk-on running with Arkansas' first time in fall practice

Monte Harrison is a 29-year-old former Major League Baseball player that joins the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2024 as a walk-on wide receiver. Harrison was a four-star recruit in 2014 out of Lee Summit’s West High School that had signed with the Nebraska Cornhuskers out of high school to play football. 247 Sports’ Michael Bruntz covered Harrison’s recruitment and said he was the “best pure athlete I’ve ever seen.”

Harrison never ended up playing for the Cornhuskers as he was drafted in the second round of the MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014 and chose to go the baseball route. Harrison received a $1.8 million bonus out of high school.

That kind of money would be difficult to turn down- especially in 2014. Keep in mind as well that at that time, NIL was not legal in college athletics, so that would include football had he gone that route.

How much money did Monte Harrison make playing baseball?

According to Spotrac, Harrison made $2,592,449 as a professional baseball player. He was an MiLB All-Star in 2018 and made the 2019 All-Star Futures Game. He made his MLB debut for the Baltimore Orioles in 2020. His tenure in the majors would not last that long however as is the case for many. For head coach Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks however, that is not a bad thing.

Monte Harrison playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks is the best scenario for him

Harrison chose the Razorbacks over Nebraska and Tennessee and will be coached by one of the greatest offensive minds in the game in offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. With Petrino always preferring taller wide receivers, the six-foot-three inch, 225 pound wide out will fit right in.

Monte Harrison is surprising doubters in fall camp

While because of his age Harrison was not though to do much of anything for the Razorbacks, he is opening eyes at fall camp and according to the Fort Smith Southwest Times Record is running with the first team in fall practice and appears to be firmly in the mix according to Sam Pittman and wide receivers coach Ronnie Fouch.

“Harrison’s strong. He’s physical. He’s still learning releases and stuff like that,” Fouch said.

“A little raw on some technical things, but he’s progressed every day of camp and developed those techniques that he’s missed out on for a couple years. But he has the natural talent, the burst, the strength and strong hands.”

All of these factors are good signs for what could be a fascinating storyline not just in Fayetteville in 2024, but for college football as a whole.