Ryan Day and Ohio State won a key recruiting battle last year when they were able to convince five-star defensive end Zach Harrison to join the Buckeyes instead of Michigan or Penn State. It was a close call with the local product on the fence all the way up until signing day.
Now that Harrison is a part of things though, he’s expected to be the next great defensive end at Ohio State. With the guidance of defensive line coach Larry Johnson in combination with the size and skill of Harrison, there’s reason to believe he can be that guy too.
But don’t just take our word for it, other sites and experts are high on the 6-6, 255 pounder being a force out on the edge in the very near future. In fact, ESPN published a piece identifying each of its early top 25 teams’ breakout player, and they have Harrison as the one to make a splash in 2020 for the Buckeyes.
Here’s what the ESPN staff says about the fast-twitch kid out of Lewis Center, Ohio.
Harrison was a five-star recruit in the 2019 recruiting class, and Ohio State fought off Michigan to land the 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end. Harrison had the opportunity to learn from Chase Young this season but got a chance to start when Young was suspended late in the season. Harrison took the opportunity and finished with 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, with 24 total tackles on the season. With Young off to the NFL, Harrison will be counted on even more in 2020 and could be the next great defensive end in a long line of excellent linemen to come through Ohio State.
We couldn’t agree more. Look for Harrison to take a big step forward this next year. He has big shoes to fill, but so did Nick Bosa, and so did Chase Young just before him. Buckeye fans should be excited to see what Harrison becomes over then next year or two.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.