BEREA - Kent State University has been a good source of talent for the AFC North Division, and the price tag has been cheap.

Joshua Cribbs has developed into a special teams standout for the Browns since leaving Kent State in 2005. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, who left Kent State in 2002, has become one of the elite players at his position in the NFL.

The interesting thing about both players is that neither was drafted. It might not be a classic rags-to-riches story, but it is a story about perseverance.

For Harrison, coming out of Kent State as an undrafted rookie put a chip on his shoulder. That's something else he has in common with Cribbs.

"You come out of Kent, and you're not in a big-name college," said Harrison, who played at Coventry High School near Akron. " You come in, you're undrafted and you're not going to get the same opportunities that a first, second or third guy is going to get. A guy that comes in and they give him a million dollars, they're not going to just go and release him after one training camp just because they don't feel like he's panning out, where a guy who's undrafted, he has to come in and do something spectacular just to have an opportunity to play on special teams.

"I feel him and I both play with a little bit of that on our shoulders. To be honest with you, each year I come in and prepare to get ready for the next season, I'm coming in and I'm that same undrafted free agent that's fighting for a position and a spot on the team."

In reality, Harrison doesn't have to fight for a position. From the moment he took over as a starter in 2007 when Joey Porter signed with the Miami Dolphins, Harrison has been a standout performer. His play has reached a new level this season. He's third in tackles on the best defense in the NFL with 100. His 16 sacks are second, behind Porter, in the AFC and third in the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy recently said that Harrison would get his vote for Defensive Player of the Year.

"That means a great deal, especially coming from a guy like Tony Dungy," said Harrison, who spent a short amount of time with the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 before returning to Pittsburgh. "I'm really astounded by it."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin agrees with Dungy's assessment. The Steelers defense has several outstanding players (strong safety Troy Polamalu comes to mind), but Harrison has excelled at one of the key positions in a 3-4 base alignment.

"We know what he does for us," Tomlin said. "He's been the catalyst for a lot of good things that have gone on with our football team this year. He does a lot of things well. He gets a lot of press for his ability to rush the passer, but he's great in coverage, and he's been great on special teams.

"This guy is willing to do anything. There's no job too small, and for those reasons we hold him in that (MVP) regard. Whether or not the league holds him20in that regard, of course, is out of our control, but we value what he does for us, no doubt."

The key for Harrison has been hard work and patience. He knew stardom, if it ever would come, wouldn't happen over night.

"What you put in is what you get out," he said. "I've put in a lot of work to get to the position that I'm in right now. That's about the only thing I can really think of, and I've been fortunate and blessed by God to have an opportunity to do that."

The Steelers are happy that they waited long enough for Harrison to show what he can do.

mmclain@tribtoday.com