Harris back to lead UAlbany football receivers

University at Albany wide receiver Brad Harris was running the same pass routes during a practice last Sept. 6 that he'd gone through hundreds of times in his career.

Harris had fractured his foot, which ended his season just four days after he caught the winning touchdown in a 22-16 upset over Buffalo of the Football Bowl Subdivision in the opener.

After undergoing surgery, Harris is back in spring practice for the Great Danes, who are happy to welcome back the leader of their receiving corps.

UAlbany's passing offense managed only 123 yards per game last season, which ranked 117th out of 122 Football Championship Subdivision teams.

"Every time we had an incomplete pass or the passing game wasn't working, I knew I could help out there," Harris said.

UAlbany head coach Greg Gattuso said Harris appears to be back to his old form with the Great Danes in their second week of spring workouts.

Gattuso likened the impact of Harris' absence last season to that of since-graduated linebacker Michael Nicastro when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2015 season opener against Buffalo.

Harris, an Orlando, Fla., native, said he actually feels better than before the injury because of the extensive leg work he did during his rehabilitation.