The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have agreed to terms with outside linebacker Parys Haralson on a one-year contract. The announcement was made by Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.
Haralson returns to New Orleans after he was acquired by the club in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers near the end of the 2013 preseason. Haralson appeared in all 16 regular season games with eight starts at outside linebacker and recorded 35 tackles (16 solo), 3.5 sacks and one pass defensed.
The 6-0, 255 pounder originally entered the NFL as a fifth round draft pick (140th overall) of the 49ers in 2006 out of the University of Tennessee. In eight seasons, Haralson has appeared in 102 career games with 76 starts and posted career totals of 330 tackles (186 solo), 25 sacks, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 24 special teams stops.
As a collegian at Tennessee, the Flora, Miss. native who prepped at Madison Central (Miss.) High School was a three-year starter on the defensive line, finishing his career ranked fifth in school history with 21 sacks. He started his entire senior season at left defensive end and earned second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press after recording 45 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 8.5 sacks.
