One of the more popular early projections for the Lions’ first-round pick, Derrick Harmon is probably a familiar name for many fans. The Oregon defensive tackle spent three seasons toiling at Michigan State before blossoming into a viable top-50 overall prospect in his one season with the Ducks.
A Detroit native, Harmon is a great example of needing to throw away preconceived notions based on earlier collegiate performances. The Oregon edition is a much different and better player than what Michigan State fans would remember. That’s reflected in the film study from both schools.
Games watched: Boise State, Michigan (in person), UCLA, Maryland, Wisconsin, Ohio State (CFP), Ohio State (2023), Penn State (2023)
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
- Listed at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds by Oregon
- Bagged 5 sacks and 10.5 TFLs in 12 games in 2024
- Credited with 39 QB hurries by PFF at Oregon
- Notched 3.5 sacks and 105 TFLs in 28 games at Michigan State
- Unknown age but was high school class of 2021
Positives
- Outstanding upper body strength and core strength
- Quick but heavy-hitting hands
- Good first step and explosive power off the snap
- Consistently wins the initial leverage battle
- Anchors well against the run and can flow laterally while engaged to keep the hole clogged
- Developed a very good rip move and strong-arm sets to stay off blocks and get into the backfield
- Balance in the gap and ability to get narrow to penetrate improved throughout his career
- Very quick to diagnose the play and can beat the blocker to the point of attack
Negatives
- Has a habit of grabbing and throwing the ballcarrier instead of dropping his weight and making the sure tackle
- Doesn’t consistently have a Plan B as a pass rusher
- Motor was inconsistent at Michigan State, but was not an issue at Oregon
- Doesn’t finish a lot of run plays outside of his gap
- Shoulders and hands get too low at times when trying to penetrate, allowing him to get stalled by leverage
- Bull rush is more about pushing back the pocket than getting free and making plays off it
Overall
Harmon matured into a much more promising prospect when transferring from Michigan State to Oregon. He got in better condition, his body got stronger and lighter, and Harmon emerged as a much more consistent and impactful player. Playing predominately in the B-gap, Harmon’s length, strength and initial quickness made a huge impact on the defensive interior.
Projecting to the NFL, Harmon is a classic 3T in a 4-man line but has enough power to also play deeper inside in packages. He needs to work on finishing the tackle, and also develop more secondary moves off his initial pass rush.
The growth into 2024 reflects a viable first-round talent with the arrow pointing up. There is some risk in Harmon’s profile; he’ll need to continue to grow his game to a consistent impact presence on the defensive interior and not just an occasional splash player who is otherwise “only” a solid starter.