Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 214 pounds
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Combine Performance Data
Vertical Jump: 34 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet
Ronnie Harrison 2018 NFL Draft Profile
After playing high school football in Tallahassee, FL, many thought Ronnie Harrison would end up playing college football for the Florida State Seminoles down the road. However, FSU had little interest in Harrison and did not even offer the two-way standout a scholarship. Harrison had over 10 power five scholarship offers out of state and decided to commit to Alabama and play for Nick Saban.
Harrison ended up graduating high school a semester early so he could get a head start on his college career. As a freshman, Harrison did not jump right into a starting role but he played significant snaps in all 15 of the Crimson Tide’s game and finished with 17 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions. As a sophomore, Harrison got his opportunity to start every game and finished the year with 83 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. It was his sophomore season in which he became one of the harder hitting safeties in the SEC conference.
In his final season with the Crimson Tide, Harrison finished with career highs in tackles for loss (4.5), sacks (2.5) and interceptions (3) to go along with 74 tackles. Harrison played up in the box a lot for the Alabama defense but was effective out in coverage against some of the SEC’s best tight ends. Harrison played in three national championships during his collegiate career and finished with a combined 15 tackles and one pass deflections in such games.
Strengths
- big hitter and is capable of jarring the ball loose from receivers across the middle;
- effective blitzer;
- capable of playing up in the box in eight-man fronts;
- has a good first step in reading run plays;
- good ball skills;
- very reliable in man-to-man coverage;
- reads the opposing quarterback well in zone coverage;
- anticipates routes and can ‘bait’ receivers;
- sheds blockers as well as most linebackers.
Weaknesses
- over-aggressive with jumping routes;
- falls for double moves often;
- takes bad pursuit angles, overpursues at times;
- fails to wrap arms when tackling, relies too much on big hits
NFL Comparison: George Iloka
Projection: late first/early second round
Bottom Line
Harrison has both the ideal size and athletic ability to play either free safety or strong safety in the NFL. He is best suited as a strong safety because he plays exceptionally well up in the box and is capable of making plays in the backfield. NFL defensive coordinators will love using him on blitz packages as well. With the league shifting to more coverage safeties, Harrison will have to polish up his coverage tendencies and learn to cover slot and boundary receivers more effectively. His football I.Q. may not be as sharp as the other safeties in this draft class but when you compare the film, Harrison is just as talented on the field as any other prospect at the position.
