Zach Harrison Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Birm/Lettermen Row)

School: Ohio State (Senior)

Position: EDGE

HT: 6’6

WT: 272 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #84

Zach Harrison was a 5-star recruit out of Lewis Center, Ohio. Harrison was one of the top players in the country, and by some, he was considered the very best player in the country. Harrison was Delaware County Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Ohio Team. His Ohio State career got off to a slow start in his first two seasons. There was a mixture of learning curves, inexperience, and battling to find reps in a crowded depth chart. By 2021, Harrison was a team captain and was looked to as one of the leaders of the defense. From then on, his collegiate career seemed to blossom.

Harrison is a big, hand-in-the-dirt defensive end on that Ohio State line. The size that he possesses does not slow Harrison down, though. Zach Harrison was once clocked in on a 40-yard dash at 4.47 seconds, which is just incredible for any defensive end. Harrison attacks the pads of offensive linemen at a great level and uses solid leverage to walk them into the quarterback. Harrison has elite footwork for his size, combined with an innate ability to change direction at the point of attack. He often uses his strength to simply outwork offensive linemen, but he can also use a nice amount of bend and flexibility off the edge to reach into his pass-rushing bag and put some moves on the linemen. In terms of Harrison in the run game, he has incredible vision. Harrison is able to seek out the ball carrier while also being engaged at the point of attack. His strength serves him well when ball carriers try to run through gaps that Harrison is controlling. He can lunge out to make the tackle and bring them down next to him. Harrison has a high motor and can run north-south, as well as east-west when chasing the quarterback down. When the pocket collapses and Harrison is in pursuit of the quarterback, Harrison is able to keep up with the ball carrier. Speed with the ball does not have an advantage on Harrison, as he is fast himself.

First thoughts when pointing out areas to work on for Harrison, his overall production. He provides a good amount of pressure that leads to positive things for the Ohio State defense, but overall, he did not put up the production that was expected. Only 3.5 sacks and 5 quarterback hits in his 2022 season was definitely lower than expected from him. He is one of those players who clearly has all of the tools, he just has not been fully unlocked and been able to put it completely together at the collegiate level yet. For Zach Harrison to succeed at the next level, he is going to need to go to a situation that is right for him. He will require patience as his lack of production at Ohio State leaves him a bit raw. He can be used in a rotational role before being a primary starter along a defensive line. The production was not totally there in college, so do not expect it to magically come together right away in the NFL, it will take patience and a scheme fit to bring it all out of Harrison.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: Even Front Defensive End

Best Team Fits: BAL, ATL, CLE

Player Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney

Player Grade: 74.5