Harper attended Murray State University, where he led the team with 57 receptions for 779 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2007 and earned Second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference.

[2][3] New Orleans Saints Harper joined the af2 following his release from the Packers, and was assigned to the Arkansas Twisters, where he debuted in 2009.

On June 4, 2009, he signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints and was placed on the Twisters' "Other League Exempt" list.

[4] Harper performed well in the Saints' 2009 preseason games, returning two punts for touchdowns, and he made the team's regular season roster.

He spent the rest of the season on the practice squad, and was re-signed to a future contract on January 10, 2011.