Derrick Harmon (defensive tackle)

Last updated

Derrick Harmon
Derrick Harmon training.jpg
Harmon with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025
No. 99  Pittsburgh Steelers
Position Defensive tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-08-03) August 3, 2003 (age 22)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight313 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High school Loyola (Detroit)
College
NFL draft 2025: 1st round, 21st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2025
Tackles 2
Sacks 1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Derrick Harmon (born August 3, 2003) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and Oregon Ducks. Harmon was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Harmon was born on August 3, 2003, in Detroit, Michigan. [1] He attended Loyola High School. He was a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Michigan State Spartans over offers from schools such as Memphis Tigers, Ole Miss, and Purdue. [2]

College recruiting information
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
Derrick Harmon
Defensive lineman
Detroit, Michigan Loyola 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)359 lb (163 kg)N/A 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    (77)
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

    College career

    Michigan State

    As a freshman at Michigan State in 2021, Harmon played in four games to preserve his redshirt. [3] In 2022 he played in 12 games making five starts, where he tallied 30 tackles with three of which were for a loss, and two sacks. [4] In 2023, Harmon posted 40 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, a sack and a half, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. [3] After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [5] However, he withdrew his name a month later. [4]

    Oregon

    On May 3, 2024, Harmon transferred to the Oregon Ducks. [6] He started all 14 games that season, and was named to the second-team All-Big Ten team by the media and received second-team Associated Press All-American honors. [7]

    Professional career

    On January 6, 2025, Harmon declared for the 2025 NFL draft. [8]

    Pre-draft measurables
    HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split
    6 ft 4+12 in
    (1.94 m)
    313 lb
    (142 kg)
    34+38 in
    (0.87 m)
    10+38 in
    (0.26 m)
    4.95 s1.74 s2.89 s
    All values from NFL Combine [9] [10]

    2025 season

    Harmon during his inaugural training camp, 2025 DerrickHarmontrainingcamp.jpg
    Harmon during his inaugural training camp, 2025

    During the 2025 NFL draft, Harmon was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round with the 21st overall pick. [11] In the Steelers' preseason finale on August 21, Harmon suffered an MCL sprain. [12] Harmon was the second consecutive first-round pick made by the Steelers who suffered an injury that kept him from playing in Week 1 after Troy Fautanu in 2024.

    On September 21, Harmon made his professional debut in a 21-14 win over the New England Patriots. [13] During the win, Harmon recorded his first professional sack, bringing down quarterback Drake Maye. He also recorded two tackles (both solo) and stuffed one run. [14]

    Personal life

    Harmon's mother, Tiffany Saine, suffered a stroke during his freshman year at Michigan State. She was on life support when Harmon was drafted by the Steelers, and died shortly after he came to the hospital to tell her about his selection. [15]

    References

    1. Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide" . The Athletic . The New York Times . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
    2. Friend, Phil (April 15, 2020). "3-star defensive tackle Derrick Harmon commits to Michigan State football". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
    3. 1 2 Solari, Chris (April 23, 2024). "Michigan State football loses DL Derrick Harmon, Andrew Depaepe to transfer portal". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
    4. 1 2 Solari, Chris (December 27, 2023). "Michigan State football DT Derrick Harmon withdraws name from transfer portal". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
    5. Wenzel, Matt (November 29, 2023). "Michigan State starting DT, OT are latest headed to the transfer portal". MLive.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
    6. Olson, Max (May 3, 2024). "Former Michigan State DT Derrick Harmon transferring to Oregon". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
    7. Varley, Teresa (April 26, 2025). "Steelers select Harmon in first round". Steelers.com. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    8. Rittenberg, Adam (January 6, 2025). "Oregon DT Harmon, WR Johnson declare for draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    9. Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Derrick Harmon Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
    10. "Derrick Harmon College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
    11. Markowski, Jack (April 25, 2025). "Steelers Select Derrick Harmon in the 2025 NFL Draft". SI.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
    12. Pryor, Brooke (August 22, 2025). "Sources: Steelers DT Harmon out with MCL sprain". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
    13. Howe, Brendan (September 21, 2025). "Steelers' Derrick Harmon to Make Regular Season Debut vs. Patriots". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
    14. "Steelers 21-14 Patriots (Sep 21, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
    15. Camras, Noah (April 25, 2025). "Mother of Steelers First-Round Pick Passed Away Shortly After Her Son Got Drafted". Newsweek. Retrieved April 25, 2025.