Anton Harrison NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 315 Pounds
School: Oklahoma
2023 NFL Draft Anton Harrison Scouting Report
Anton Harrison is perhaps not the flashiest name going around prior to the draft, yet he has three seasons of experience as an anchor on the blindside under his belt. A four star recruit out of high school, Harrison decided to take his talents to Oklahoma despite receiving many offers from other schools such as Michigan and Ohio State. Having a rich history of producing top level offensive lineman such as Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, and many others, Harrison looks to add his name to that list.
Anton Harrison may only be twenty-one years old but teams are getting an adult when they draft him. As he attended Oklahoma for a period of time during the Spencer Rattler saga, it’s clear Harrison steers clear of any locker room drama. When in a recent interview he was asked a probing question how NILs could alienate certain teammates from others as the quarterback is generally the one who takes the glory, Harrison took the high road remarking he did not really think about it. It may have been early in his tenure but no matter the position battles around him, Harrison will only focus on doing his job.
In his three seasons at Oklahoma, including two years starting, Anton Harrison played almost 2,000 snaps for the Sooners. In that time, he only surrendered four total sacks with the most given up in a season being two. Harrison has tremendous upside as he has shown promise as a pass protector for the blindside and a solid level of play in the run game. Due to his size, there is absolutely no reason to doubt that he can rise to the occasion at the next level and perfect his game.
Strengths:
- Pass blocking is his forte, in almost 2,000 snaps during his college career only surrendered four sacks with never giving up more than two in a season;
- Comes from Oklahoma who has a strong history of producing competent offensive lineman at the next level;
- Ran a sub five second 40 yard dash at the combine;
- Looks the part of a true blindside protector with a great wingspan;
- Keeps legs moving and plays through the whistle every single play;
- Violent hands and an iron grip to bounce defenders out of the club.
Weaknesses:
- Room to grow as a run blocker;
- Needs to use his size to incorporate more nastiness in his game;
- Bad tendency to stiffen up and play with his pad level too high at times;
- In order to thrive as a blindside blocker in this league, he needs to improve his recognition of where additional rushers will be coming from;
- Pass protection is considered his strength, yet he didn’t play in a true west coast offense.
NFL Comparison: Dion Dawkins
Teams With Need At Position: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots
Projection: Mid-first round
Bottom Line on Anton Harrison:
When a player turns down offers at other big name schools to play for one with a rich history at his position it should not be taken lightly. Anton Harrison came to Oklahoma knowing the standard set by those before him and has done a great job to this point upholding that standard and will look to do so going forward into the draft. He may not be the most polished prospect but he is in the conversation for the best pass protector. Teams can plug him into their lineup on either side and sleep better at night knowing their line is better off for it. He may not have the same ceiling as other prospects in this draft but his ability at the position to this point gives him one of the safest floors of all the top prospects.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
