David Harris ( American football ) David Charles Harris ( born January 21 , 1984 ) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets . He was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Jets . He played college football at Michigan . High school career . Harris attended Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids , Michigan where he excelled at football . At linebacker , he set a school record with 158 tackles as a junior , and earned all - state honors from the " Detroit Free Press " as a senior , and he also contributed as a fullback . Harris also participated in track and field , and this combination of size and speed led him to become one of the states top prospects . College career . Harris earned a scholarship with the University of Michigan Wolverines after his impressive high school career . However , he was forced to redshirt as a freshman due to a knee injury which nearly derailed his career . It would take nearly two years for Harris to fully recover , and only played sparingly as a redshirt freshman and sophomore . It wouldn ' t be until his junior year that Harris finally became a full - time starter . He began to show signs of a future in the National Football League when he led the Wolverines in 2005 with 88 tackles , and 103 tackles as a senior . In 2006 , he earned All - Big Ten honors , was Wolverines co - MVP with Mike Hart , and was a second team All - America selection by the Associated Press , " Sports Illustrated " , and Rivals . com . Professional career . 2007 NFL Draft . Harris was projected to go anywhere from the late - second round to the fourth round prior to the 2007 NFL Draft . However , he impressed scouts when he ran a 4 . 59 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine . He drew interest from the New York Jets , due partially to new linebackers coach Jim Herrmann who had previously been defensive coordinator for Harris ' Michigan Wolverines . Harris was drafted in the 2nd round ( 47th overall ) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Jets . The Jets sent their 2nd , 3rd , and 6th picks that year to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the Packers 2nd rounder to select Harris . 2007 season . On Sunday , October 28 , 2007 , Harris recorded his first NFL start , making 17 tackles ( 10 solo ) and 1 sack in against the Buffalo Bills . Harris started in place of injured LB Jonathan Vilma who was placed on injured reserve after a knee injury . Harris made 24 tackles ( 20 solo ) the following week against the Washington Redskins . For the 2007 NFL season , Harris had 127 tackles , 5 sacks , and two forced fumbles despite only starting 9 games , and earned various all - rookie honors . 2008 season . In late February , the Jets traded MLB Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints , and Harris was named the starter at Inside linebacker for the 2008 season . Although an injury shortened season limited Harris to just 11 games , he still posted 87 tackles and 1 sack . 2009 season . Against the Houston Texans in the first week of the season , Harris finished with 11 tackles ( six solo ) , one sack , and a deflected pass as the defense pitched a shutout . He also won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his play . In week three , as his team was only up seven points , he intercepted a Kerry Collins pass , and then followed that drive by sacking him on first down during the Tennessee Titans next series . Harris himself had 12 tackles , ( ten solo ) . During the Jets ' week six game against the Buffalo Bills , Harris recorded 17 tackles . In week 11 against division rivals , Harris recorded 13 tackles ( ten solo ) as he earned defensive play caller for the Jets that week . Harris finished his season as the leading tackler on football ' s number one defense with 127 tackles . He also chipped in with five and a half sacks and two interceptions . In addition , he made second team all - pro . 2010 season . On January 16 , 2011 , Harris recorded his first career postseason interception in which he returned it for 58 yards against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round . Jets won 28 - 21 to advance to their second straight AFC Championship game . It was Tom Brady ' s first Interception in 11 games ( 340 pass attempts whithout an interception ) . 2011 season . Harris recorded 86 tackles , 5 sacks along with 4 interceptions in the 2011 season . Personal life . He currently resides in Parsippany , New Jersey . He is nicknamed The Hitman by New York Jets fans and media for his dominant play and hard - hitting tackles .