Iowa State's Jordan Harris to pursue graduate transfer

Iowa State linebacker Jordan Harris is leaving the team and will look to finish his career elsewhere as a graduate transfer, the Cyclones announced Thursday.

"Jordan has done everything we have asked him to do since the first day I got here," head coach Matt Campbell said in a statement. "He's a great person and a great teammate. In our meetings recently, Jordan expressed interest in finishing out his career closer to his family. I have the utmost respect for Jordan and we will fully support him in his decision."

Harris, who hails from Clarksdale, Miss., started all 12 games for the Cyclones last season after taking a redshirt in 2014. He came to Iowa State as a junior college transfer.

"Iowa State helped me become the man I am today," said Harris. "From my teammates, the old coaching staff to the new coaching staff, everybody has played a big role in helping me. I am happy I got my degree from Iowa State, which will open up many more doors for me in the future. I want to finish out my final year where my family can be more involved."

Harris registered 70 tackles last year, ranking third on the team, and had five for loss, ranking fifth. He was one of two players to start every game for Iowa State in 2015.

As a graduate student, Harris will be eligible to play immediately next year, regardless of where he transfers. The redshirt senior has one season of eligibility remaining.