Star Ole Miss playmaker Tre Harris makes a pivotal career decision one week after entering contract holdout with Chargers

NFL rookies rarely face much drama when it comes to contract haggling, but this offseason has been a little different. In addition to the bizarre Shemar Stewart situation, where he's threatening to return to Texas A&M over signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, 30 of 32 second-round picks were yet to sign as rookie camps began. […]

Ian Valentino National College Football Writer
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Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) runs after a catch for a first down as Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Jordan Lovett (25) pursues during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

NFL rookies rarely face much drama when it comes to contract haggling, but this offseason has been a little different. In addition to the bizarre Shemar Stewart situation, where he's threatening to return to Texas A&M over signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, 30 of 32 second-round picks were yet to sign as rookie camps began.

Ole Miss star wideout Tre Harris was among the key standouts as the first actual holdout. On July 12, Harris missed the deadline to report as the Los Angeles Chargers worked to withhold guaranteed money. However, the precedent was set when the Houston Texans locked Jayden Higgins into a guaranteed four-year deal.

Terms of the Harris deal aren't known yet, but the Rebels now have another NFL representative.

After racking up 2,015 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons in Oxford, Harris was selected 55th overall. He had a late first-round grade on my board after producing an insanely impressive analytical profile and boasting a tremendous speed and size skill set. 

With Mike Williams retiring, Najee Harris winding up on the injury list, and now Harris signing, the Chargers had a busy Thursday. Williams will compete to start with Quentin Johnston, and whoever prevails will be across Ladd McConkey. 

The reality of the young receiving corps is that if they're all healthy, it's hard to see Harris not at least being a top-three receiver on the unit.