Jaylen Harrell, EDGE, Michigan
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 250 pounds
Arm Length: 33 1/4"
Hand Size: 9 3/4"
Accomplishments:
All-ACC honorable mention (2023, 2022)
“Jaylen Harrell is a stand-up edge rusher with suddenness and a quick first step to be an effective developmental third-down rusher.”
Strengths:
Sudden and quick first step
High-effort rusher
Rush and coverage ability
Developmental athletic traits
Concerns:
Pass-rush repertoire
Run defense
Functional strength at the point of attack
Film Analysis:
Jaylen Harrell has the first-step quickness to spring past OTs at the snap. He threatens the outside shoulder of the tackle. He has a fluid lower body to use euro-step-like inside counters. That burst and acceleration at the snap creates the opportunity to stress the outside arc and force OTs to overset and drift. He uses this to cross face back to the inside track in the face of the quarterback. Harrell can deploy a quick inside counter to keep OTs on their toes.
Harrell is a good athlete. He drops in coverage with a solid level of comfort and confidence, dropping into the hook/flats to interrupt the timing of routes in that area.
Versus the run, Harrell can stack and lock-out versus tight ends. He uses his functional arm length to keep separation and maintain outside leverage.
Harrell has a frame that appears like it can handle adding weight. His functional strength against powerful OTs needs improvement—he can get stuck on blocks in the pass and run games. If his initial move is not successful, shedding blocks can be a challenge. Although Harrell has flashed different approaches to winning as a passer rusher, his plan needs consistency. I’d like to see more refinement with his hands to quickly win without the full threat of speed around the corner.
Overall, Harrell projects as a developmental edge rusher with starting potential. He is an ideal fit for a 3-4 or odd-front team as a stand-up outside linebacker.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Washington (2023), Alabama (2023), Ohio State (2023), UNLV (2023)
