2023 Season Countdown: #21 Jaylen Harrell

 

Jaylen Harrell (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Jaylen Harrell
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 242 lbs.
High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley
Position: Defensive end
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #32
Last year: I ranked Harrell #31 and said he would be a part-time starting edge (LINK). He started twelve games and made 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 5 quarterback hurries.
TTB Rating: 84

Instead of being a part-time starter, Harrell was essentially a full-time starter in 2022, starting twelve out of fourteen games. He was a pretty consistent player, even though he's not flashy. In a bit of an oddity for his body type, he seems to be better at the run at 242 lbs. and not anything special as a pass rusher. He does occasionally come through with some pressure on the quarterback, and perhaps his best game was the 2-sack performance against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game.

This year Michigan is down a couple decent pass rushers in Mike Morris (7.5 sacks in 2022) and Eyabi Okie (4.0), who moved on to the Seattle Seahawks and the Charlotte 49ers, respectively. Okie was a pass rush specialist and a backup, but he still played a good-sized role, especially down the stretch. Harrell has a chance to step up his game, but getting after the quarterback is not really his forte. The pass rush will likely come from elsewhere, including defensive end Braiden McGregor and Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart. There has been some talk out of camp that Harrell has improved his game this off-season, so we'll see whether he continues to be a steady player or can take the next step.

Prediction: Starting defensive end; 35 tackles, 5 sacks