EUGENE -- Former Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris had to learn the hard way. But at least he's learning.

The 2010 All-American, suspended for part of last season before being dismissed from the team following several off-field brushes with the law, performed at Oregon's Pro Day on Thursday along with several of his former teammates.

While players such as running back LaMichael James and safety Eddie Pleasant are locks to be selected in April's NFL Draft, Harris is running away from his past and chasing a secure future. The question is; is he running fast enough, both literally and figuratively.

"I felt like with my past I have a lot to prove just in general," Harris said following the workout at the Moshofsky Center. "Just to show everybody that history won't repeat itself."

Many NFL Draft prognostication websites last spring predicted Harris would be a first-round pick in 2012. Then he began piling up traffic citations -- driving while uninsured, too fast and without a license -- more than interceptions. What followed were suspensions and later dismissal from the team.

Needless to say, not playing because of off-field transgressions can cause someone's draft stock to plummet.

Harris' mother, Lizette Harris, said her son learned a harsh lesson.

"From him getting kicked off and coming home, he really had that time to sit back and look at where his life was headed," she said.

While Harris said it excited him to watch his former team win the Rose Bowl, his mother said it also served as a harsh reminder of the realities of life.

"He was seeing that as easily as you were up there (at the top), you can come down even faster," she said.

From that point on, Harris devoted himself to reinventing his persona and repairing his career.

"I told him, 'We all make mistakes,'" she said. "'Whatever you do, you don't give up. You learn from it.'

The fact he received an invitation to last month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis could be viewed as a good sign that NFL scouts still hold his talents in high regard.

The combine experience proved mixed. He didn't run particularly well for a cornerback (4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and spent a lot of time being grilled about his past.

"Most teams want to see about my character issues that I supposedly have," he said. "I just tell them that I made a couple of mistakes. I was young. I'm just learning how to be a professional."

Physically, Harris clearly has added weight to his frame. He said he gained 25 pounds and weighed in at 181 pounds. However, the Ducks' 2010 roster has him listed at 180.

Nonetheless, he certainly appeared more muscular. His mother noticed several changes in her son.

"I'm impressed at how large he is," she said. "It kind of caught me off guard. I look at him now and just in talking to him, I can hear the maturity and everything. So I'm really impressed and happy for him."

Harris said he felt good about his workout Thursday but didn't know what his times were. At one point, however, he said he felt hot in the Moshofsky Center and consequently became nauseous. He exited for a minute and vomited outside. That aside, he enjoyed the experience, especially seeing some teammates again.

Soon, he hopes to make new teammates in the NFL.

"This whole process is life changing," he said. "It's an opportunity to do something better with myself."

LaMichael James:

Former Oregon running back LaMichael James remains fast. How fast, however, remains a mystery. James performed at Pro Day and said he heard 40 times on him ranging from 4.29 to 4.41, all hand-held. He ran a hand-held 4.37 at the combine. His more accurate electronic time was 4.45.

At this point, James' actual 40 time is irrelevant. The program's all-time leading rusher, predicted by many to be selected in the second or third round, has little left to prove.

"(The scouts) told me don't really push it," he said. "They've already seen me. They have film. They told me just to come out here and have fun."

David Paulson:

The tight end also could have improved his standing. He said his 40 times came in at the 4.7 range. He ran an electronic time of 4.93 at the combine.

"All the stuff that I got feedback on I improved on so I'm happy about that," Paulson said.

Other notables who performed:

Offensive lineman Mark Asper; quarterback Darron Thomas; wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei; linebacker Josh Kaddu; tight end Brandon Williams, who missed last season with a back condition.

--Aaron Fentress

Follow @AaronJFentress