Raiders defensive back Erik Harris’ road to the NFL has not been an easy one.

Harris spent time playing at a smaller Division II school as well as in the Canadian Football League before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and now he’s ready to shine in 2018.

Harris played college football for the California Vulcans at the California University of Pennsylvania. After college, he spent three years on the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats before signing with the Saints.

Oakland signed Harris in 2017 to provide depth in their secondary which was important after their second-round pick safety Obi Melifonwu was hobbled and ineffective in his rookie campaign.

Harris has already impressed the coaching staff during the Raiders’ spring workouts, especially coach Jon Gruden who likes what he sees out of the young player and doesn’t care what his background is as long as he performs well. Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie also fortified the safety position with the signing of Marcus Gilchrist which means that Harris will likely need that chip on his shoulder to fight his way onto the roster once again.