Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan minced no words regarding rookie linebacker Jaylen Harrell during Sunday’s press conference.
“He was a seventh-round pick that nobody thought much of to being probably a pretty strong rotational player for us,” Callahan said, via Broadway Sports Media’s Easton Freeze. “It’s been good to see.”
Harrell was a standout performer in the Titans’ 16-15 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. Despite only playing in 18 snaps, he recorded 2.0 sacks and three quarterback pressures.
As a result, he was named the Titans Wire “Player of the Game.”
While the Titans have been sorting out the Arden Key situation, which appears to finally be resolved, Harrell has been quietly working in the background. The Michigan product was listed in a third-string role on the Titans’ first unofficial depth chart.
However, he looks to not only be a lock for the 53-man roster but, as Callahan alluded, has the potential to see quite a bit of playing time in his first season.
#Titans seventh-round edge Jaylen Harrell (#Michigan):
Had three pressures and two sacks vs. Seattle — plus displayed his coverage range. pic.twitter.com/nKIVzPbimp— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) August 18, 2024
The 6-foot-4, 242-pound linebacker was a significant disruptor in college. He registered 31 tackles, including nine for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and two forced fumbles in 15 games as a senior.
However, the scouting report on Harrell coming out of school was that he was a straight-line rusher, a technique that could have difficulty finding success at the next level. Since then, though, he has taken the necessary measures to get around NFL offensive linemen.
Are the Titans surprised Harrell is having success?
“I’m not surprised,” Callahan said. “He played in a similar-style defense, and he’s been coached. He came from a blue blood program. Those guys tend to show up. They played in big games. They played in winning programs. They know what it takes, and we’ve seen all that.
“He played a physical brand of football in college, and it turns out he plays a physical brand of football here. He’s been really, really good in the run. He’s developing as a rusher. He’s shown up. He’s got production on the quarterback, but he’s learning how to rush the NFL way, which I think he’s going to improve rapidly in that way, too.”
Harrell and the Titans return to the practice field this week before Sunday’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.
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