Oregon's Derrick Harmon Shines at NFL Combine, Solidifies Status as a Top Defensive Lineman
Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon was only in Eugene for one season. But it was one of the best seasons among any defensive lineman in college football. He recorded five sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.
The Michigan native is one of 12 Ducks in Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and he put up some impressive numbers. One of his most impressive feats from the combine was a time of 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash. A time he ran at 6’4.5″, 313 pounds (per NFL.com).
“I was trying to get to 4.8. Truthfully I was trying to get to a 4.8, I’ll take the 4.95,” Harmon told NFL Network’s Stacy Dales.
The former Oregon and Michigan State defensive lineman shed some light on his mentality as he put his best foot forward for NFL teams.
“Really (I) just came out here to compete,” he said. A lot of guys came out here and we just really competed, showed love to each other and tried to get the job done.”
Throughout the scouting and evaluation process, NFL draft analysts have compared Harmon to Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones.
“Truly a blessing ’cause I feel like that’s the best D-tackle in the game right now,” Harmon said of the comparison.”How quick he is to grab wrists and elbows, I feel like that comes natural to me. So I feel like our game really shows each other like that.”
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One of the best linemen in this year’s draft has been motivated by his mother Tiffany Saine, who suffered a stroke back in 2022.
“That’s my why. That’s why I do what I do every day,” he said of his mother. “I get up every day ’cause she can get up every day with what she went through. Then why can’t I do the same thing?”
The NFL Draft community has been gushing over Harmon and his athletic ability following his performance in Indianapolis. He’s currently Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 26 draft prospect.
“I got some grit to me,” he said of the message he wants to send to NFL teams. “I’m a dog on the field, but I’m a good locker room guy at the end of the day and I love my team.”
