Temple University Athletics
Kenny Harper Signs With Giants
5.12.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – When Kenneth Harper circled his calendar for Friday, May 8, 2015, he expected to be able to walk that day. The Temple University senior from Gainesville, Florida, was graduating and was set to join his classmates at the Liacouras Center.
Plans changed, however, and Harper's plan to walk was tossed aside for his desire to run. The former Temple Owls' running back, along with a few other graduating college football players, was called by the New York Giants following the National Football League draft to a rookie camp tryout. It's a call that Harper waited for his entire life and he knew everything else would be put on hold.
"I earned that diploma and nobody will ever take that away from me," said Harper. "But the opportunity to play in the NFL is a dream for me and I would do anything to make it happen. There is only a short period of time in your life that you can take advantage of that opportunity. Hopefully I can make the most of that chance but I'll have my degree in finance to carry me through the rest of my life."
That tryout turned into good fortune as Harper, according to the New York Daily News was one of just four of the 44 invited players signed by the Giants to a rookie free agent contact on Sunday following a three-day rookie camp.
He will workout with the Giants through the spring and report to training camp at the end of July hoping to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
"I still have an uphill battle," shared Harper. "I'll learn the playbook, I'll show up to meetings on time, I'll do everything they ask of me. That way, the battle can be won on the field."
Plans changed, however, and Harper's plan to walk was tossed aside for his desire to run. The former Temple Owls' running back, along with a few other graduating college football players, was called by the New York Giants following the National Football League draft to a rookie camp tryout. It's a call that Harper waited for his entire life and he knew everything else would be put on hold.
"I earned that diploma and nobody will ever take that away from me," said Harper. "But the opportunity to play in the NFL is a dream for me and I would do anything to make it happen. There is only a short period of time in your life that you can take advantage of that opportunity. Hopefully I can make the most of that chance but I'll have my degree in finance to carry me through the rest of my life."
That tryout turned into good fortune as Harper, according to the New York Daily News was one of just four of the 44 invited players signed by the Giants to a rookie free agent contact on Sunday following a three-day rookie camp.
He will workout with the Giants through the spring and report to training camp at the end of July hoping to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
"I still have an uphill battle," shared Harper. "I'll learn the playbook, I'll show up to meetings on time, I'll do everything they ask of me. That way, the battle can be won on the field."
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballAllen Haye, 10/20/25
Monday, October 20
Diego Barajas, 10/20/25
Monday, October 20
K.C. Keeler, 10/20/25
Monday, October 20
Evan Simon, 10/18/25
Monday, October 20
