Marcus Harris was one of the SEC’s best defensive tackles two years ago. He’s still trying to prove he belongs in the NFL.

The Buffalo Bills signed Harris on Thursday, adding the 24-year-old defensive tackle to a growing competition on the interior defensive line. In a corresponding move, the Bills released defensive tackle Devin Brandt-Epps, an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico.

Harris was a seventh-round pick, No. 247 overall, by the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft. After getting waived during final roster cuts, he spent time on Houston’s and New England’s practice squads before being released by the Patriots in April.

A 6-foot-2, 298-pounder, Harris played at Kansas before transferring to Auburn, where he emerged as one of the top defensive linemen in the country. As a senior in 2023, he earned All-SEC honors with 40 tackles, seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest run defense grade (87.4) of any SEC defensive tackle.

Harris will wear No. 72 with the Bills. Four of the team’s nine defensive tackles entered the league in the 2024 draft class: Harris joins DeWayne Carter (third-round pick), Zion Logue (signed off Atlanta’s practice squad), and Casey Rogers (claimed off waivers last month).

Buffalo returns veterans Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, along with Carter and Logue, but also added free agent Larry Ogunjobi and rookie draft picks T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker this offseason.

Harris, known for his quick first step and high motor, totaled 125 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over five college seasons. At the 2024 NFL Combine, he logged 27 reps on the bench press — seventh among defensive linemen who participated in the drill.

His younger brother, Malik Blocton, is also an Auburn defensive tackle and was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-America team in 2024.