Scouting Profile: Derrick Harmon - IDL - Oregon
Sales Pitch: Long versatile lineman with a stout anchor in the run game. Struggles to finish plays but has the size and speed to be a disruptive three down player.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Derrick Harmon is a former 3-Star recruit from the state of Michigan. He spent his first three season at Michigan State, before transferring to Oregon in 2024 where he was a 3rd Team All-Big 10 honoree after logging 55 pressures, the most of any defensive lineman in the FBS.
Harmon, at 6’ 5” 310 lbs, is a long powerful lineman with a thick lower half. He is a good athlete, especially given his size, with above average quickness and agility. Harmon is able to win with both speed and power versus the run. He has quick violent hands that easily discard blockers in front of him. He has a wide base that allows him to hold his ground and leverage his gap in the run game. Harmon is able to drop his weight and anchor versus double teams at the point of attack. He projects well into both single and two gap run schemes given his strength and block shed ability. As a pass rusher Harmon typically wins with speed. His quickness and agility are difficult to contain for lineman in space. He has the strength to work through the half shoulder without getting knocked off his spot. Harmon doesn’t have the deepest arsenal of rush moves, but his hands are quick and accurate. His rip move and arm-over are both particularly effective. He is also very capable on stunts and twists with the power to occupy two lineman at a time, freeing up his teammates.
Harmon has a wide frame with limited flexibility in his middle half which hampers his ability to close and finish as a pass rusher. He lacks the speed and body lean to consistently turn the corner without winning cleanly with his hands. Harmon also struggles to generate power fitting his size as a rusher. Despite his frame, he has the rushing style of a finesse player. Harmon is often delayed out of his stance. His lack of first step burst reduces the effectiveness of his bull-rush and long arm despite his natural strength. Harmon is an excellent run defender but is prone to mistakes. He struggles with discarding blockers the correct direction in order to fill the hole. He also will abandon his gap to chase the ball carrier, opening up cutback lanes. Harmon really struggled with tackling in 2024. His lack of flexibility makes it difficult for him to break down and corral quicker players when he is not in control of his massive frame.
Harmon projects as a B-gap player in either an odd or even front. His combination of strength and quickness at his size creates a favorable three down outlook. Harmons doesn’t profile as a Top-20 pick given a lack of top end physical tools, but he is a well rounded athlete with room to grow off a strong 2024. His range should start in the late first and won’t last long into the second round.