Senior outside linebacker Napoleon Harris doesn't want for speed.

When NFL scouts blew through Northwestern in March to look at the potential first-round pick, the then 253-pound Harris ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds -- and he was none too thrilled about it.

But after sweating away 10 pounds during summer workouts and doing extra sprint work, last year's third-leading Big Ten tackler expects to regain the 4.49 speed he owned last fall.

The 6-3 Harris doesn't lack confidence.

"Every time I step on the field, I feel I'm the best player," Harris said.

"He probably would tell you," said Northwestern defensive coordinator Jerry Brown, "if he and Michael Jordan were to play basketball, he would hold his own."

Harris hasn't played Jordan, but he grew up in a peer group thick with talent.

During his prep senior year, Harris played power forward for the nation's No. 2-ranked team. On his team were Indiana triple-threat Antwaan Randle-El, Fresno State all-star center Melvin Ely and George Mason guard Erik Herring. Harris, who started briefly for NU's basketball team as a freshman walk-on believes he was the best of his high school bunch.

"Yeah, and they'll tell you that, too," Harris said.

That attitude is Harris' finest trait -- even more than his rare speed.

In short, Harris doesn't want for heart.

Against Minnesota last October, Harris made NU's hustle play of the season, sprinting 50 yards to run down receiver Jack Brewer at the 15-yard line -- even though Brewer had a 7-yard head start.

Had Harris allowed Brewer to score, Minnesota would have been up 14 points with seven minutes to play. But Minnesota missed a field goal and NU scored two late touchdowns to win.

"If I had to go to war with one person on this team, it'd be Napoleon Harris," said long-time Northwestern strength and conditioning coach Larry Lilja.

"He's incredibly driven, very talented, very gifted and mentally tough. If he doesn't get drafted in the first round, those NFL guys have totally missed the boat."

Of course, Harris could tell them that.

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