It takes more than speed, agility and a sense of timing to play cornerback in the Big 12. It also takes loads of confidence. On that front, Kansas University’s top corner and most experienced player draws high marks.

Nice guy Chris Harris, a senior who has made a team-high 29 starts, can’t accurately be described as cocky, but he exudes plenty of confidence. He sounds like an athlete who can’t wait for the season to start and is convinced he’ll have the sort of senior season befitting a player who was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a true freshman in 2007.

Back then, Harris played opposite Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib. Harris played the right side, Talib the left.

“He would have played the boundary, but we didn’t have that,” Harris said.

The position Harris plays now is called a boundary cornerback, meaning he plays the short side of the field, where one receiver lines up. Harris considers it an honor.

“If you look at every team at every different school, the NFL, their top corner plays boundary,” Harris said.

Why?

“Most of the time, a lot of run plays come that way, and the top receiver is always going to be in the boundary,” Harris said. “Like last year, (Dezmon) Briscoe was in the boundary all the time. Everybody’s top receiver is going to be in the boundary.”

Why?

“I guess because it’s an easier throw,” Harris said. “You can get him the ball more. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, going against the top receiver every game, but I think I’m ready.”

Defensive end Jake Laptad and middle linebacker Justin Springer will be counted on to shine during their senior seasons, but beyond that pair, the front seven lacks star power.

The secondary appears deeper and could perform solidly, provided the lack of a pass rush doesn’t undermine it too badly.

Isiah Barfield, routinely mentioned when players name the fastest player on the team, bounced from cornerback to receiver and back since leaving Haven for KU. He has found a home and is listed as the other first-team cornerback. KU’s coaches have been extremely complimentary of his play.

Harris, not as fast as Barfield, clearly is the leader of the secondary.

At safety, sophomore Lubbock Smith loves to leave his mark with hard-driving tackles that make opponents get up slowly. Olaitan Oguntodu is listed atop the depth chart at the other safety, but if true freshman Keeston Terry, just converted from receiver, learns his assignments swiftly, look for him to make an early mark.

Harris said the KU receivers present a significant challenge daily in practice.

“They definitely have stepped up and gotten a lot better from the spring,” Harris said before talking about slot receivers Daymond Patterson and D.J. Beshears. “Those two are some of the quickest, fastest dudes on the team, and it’s been translating on the field. They’ve been making a lot of big plays.”

The KU defense has been giving up those big plays. The defense must get better. Harris knows that. He’s a key person in making it better. Harris knows that, too.