INDIANAPOLISDerrick Harmon’s season at Oregon was both his best and most destructive. Regardless of the position or defensive scheme he ends up in, the defensive tackle wants to cause just as much damage in the NFL.
At the NFL combine, Harmon declared, “I can play from the 0 to the 5 (technique).” It seems like I recorded that this year. I’m capable of playing anything. I play for whatever teams need me to. I believe that I am capable of playing in the mid-front, three-down, or four-down offensive fronts.
Last season, Harmon recorded a career-high 45 tackles (10.5 for loss), five sacks, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. After moving from Michigan State, which had a four-down defensive line in contrast to Oregon’s three-down front, he achieved this.
Harmon remarked, “I never played the 4i (defensive end) in a three-down front.” In terms of attack, I was actually at a disadvantage at Michigan State. I didn’t do much (at Michigan State), but playing the 4i and occasionally a 5 or a 6 (technique) over the tight end while traveling all the way to Oregon demonstrated my versatility and my potential to get to the next level.
RELATED: Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network offers an assessment of Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who is incredibly disruptive.
Compared to Harmon’s prior coaches, Oregon’s coaches placed more emphasis on splitting double teams and the skills necessary to accomplish this.
He used the forced fumble in the regular-season victory over Ohio State as an illustration of how he made that coaching work.
After consulting with his family, Harmon decided to enter the draft instead of going back to school for a fifth season, citing the NFL College Advisory Committee’s assessment that he was likely to be selected in the second round.
In addition to attending official meetings with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City this week, he intends to take part in all of the position exercises and workouts at the combine.
Without pads, it will be more difficult to assess some of his pass rush maneuvers and strategies, but Harmon’s strength and speed will be evident.
He added, “I can move fast for a big guy.” I can run quickly and maneuver well.
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