He’s played in some huge games in the Big Ten with Michigan State and Oregon, so the NFL stage isn’t too big for him.
But the speed of the game? Well, that’s another thing entirely.
For Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, that adjustment to the NFL is the thing he’s focused on the most. In a one-on-one chat with KDKA’s Rich Walsh as part of Steelers Training Camp’s All-Access on Steelers.com, Harmon said that’s what he’s working on in training camp moving forward.
“Really just get down this speed of the game, ’cause this is a whole ‘nother speed,” Harmon said of where he wants to improve in camp, according to video via Steelers.com. “And then really just hone in on this defense in my playbook. I’m in my playbook every night, so just really trying to hone in on those key things.”
Though the college game is closer than ever to the NFL game as far as size, skill and speed, there’s still a major adjustment period for players making the transition from the college game to the pros. That’s especially true in the trenches, where Harmon resides.
Despite having great size and strength coming out of Oregon, dominating in the Big Ten while leading the country in pressures last season as an interior pass rusher, there’s an adjustment for Harmon ahead. He’ll have to be quicker off the ball, faster with his punch and his hand placement.
He’ll have to just play faster in general. That’s how it goes in the NFL, especially in the trenches.
To Harmon’s credit, he understands that. The fact he notices it and is working on it is a great sign. The moment isn’t too big for him.
After being inserted into the starting lineup with Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton along the defensive line, there’s quite a bit that rides on Harmon being an impact player as a rookie. After the Steelers struggled to stop the run late last season, including giving up 299 yards in their Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh needs its first-round defensive lineman to step up and plug a hole.
Harmon is off to a good start in training camp, bringing that physicality to the table for the Black and Gold, as new defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko noted. That’s music to the ears of Steelers fans everywhere.
And once he gets the speed of the game down and fully grasps the defensive playbook? Look out.
