The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1479568
OCTOBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 35 outstanding start to the 2022 sea- son. He finished last year on a high note, earning more and more time and making big plays against Ohio State. He has arguably been Michigan's best defensive player through the opening games this year. Defensive line coach Mike Elston reported he graded out better than anyone up front defensively in the Wolverines' 51-7 opening-day win over Colorado State. "He's come a long way," Elston praised. "He's so doggone smart, and he's very instinctive. He uses his le- verage well — he plays long. "Jaylen had a really good fall camp, and you saw in the first game, he had high-level production in there for us." That's just the latest step in Har- rell's progression from backup to starter. The outside linebacker/edge started to prove himself as a run stop- per last year, but he wasn't much of a threat as a pass rusher. He made that a priority in the spring after notching 15 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry in 2021, and it showed. Harrell notched a key sack in the spring game as one of a record 61 players to make it through all 15 prac- tices without missing any time. When the coaches told him they wanted him to be more of a threat coming off the edge, he responded by making that his mission. He led the team in pressures in Week 1 and was all over the field. He followed it up with two more out- standing showings against Hawai'i and Connecticut. "It was good getting back out there," he said after the win over Col- orado State. "Like I told you guys [in the media], I really wanted to hone in on my pass rush, different moves and stuff like that. I feel like Saturday — I did OK. I could have finished better on the quarterback, but it was an OK start." "OK" only because he didn't put up huge sack numbers. He was the team's defensive player of the week, however, after notching 4 tackles, a half sack, and an incredible 8 quarterback pres- sures. Last year's edge starters, Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, might have put up bigger sack numbers in a similar situation. As far as impact on the game, though, Harrell was right up there with them. Regardless — he wants more. "The chip [on the shoulder] — there is actually a chip," Harrell said. "There's been a lot of buzz about this and that … about who to replace who. Like we've all been saying — we're not trying to replace anyone. We're just trying to get better each and every day. "Our chemistry, rushing the passer, stopping the run, whatever it may be, our main goal is to keep getting bet- ter each and every week and putting our defense in the best position to be great." The Wolverines are off to a great start. The first-string defense didn't allow a point in the first two games, shutting out both opponents at halftime. Harrell was a big part of that, and the nation noticed. ProFootballNet- work.com named him one of their "2023 NFL Draft Sleepers to watch" after his opening week performance, noting he put himself on the map like Ojabo did early in the season last year. "The 6-4, 246-pound defender was a factor on several sacks with his con- stant pressure generation and proved to be an asset in run defense with his hot motor and athleticism in space," they wrote. "A former highly touted recruit, Harrell is getting his chance to shine. And just like Ojabo, he may run with it." The key, he knows, is to stay grounded and not get too high after his first few games. There are much bigger tests to come, and he's just get- ting started. "Coach Harbaugh really hones in on that — don't fall in love with your own stuff," the junior edge said. "We had a great year last year, but it is a new year. We're really just all working each and every day. "We've been working hard, just grinding, and getting after it … get- ting ready for the season." The U-M defense is off to a fantas- tic start, thanks in large part to Har- rell's play. ❏ Defensive line coach Mike Elston "Jaylen had a really good fall camp, and you saw in the first game, he had high-level production in there for us." Harrell graded out better than anyone up front defensively in the Wolverines' 51-7 opening-day win over Colorado State. The junior edge received a defensive grade of 88.0 from Pro Football Focus. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN