When looking for a cornerback who can play on the boundary in the NFL, teams like players with confidence who aren’t afraid to engage in physical contact.
Temple’s Harrison Hand is a prospect who fits that bill. Coming off of a season in which he tallied a team-leading three interceptions and five pass deflections, he is looking to carry on his success as he prepares to play at the next level.
Draft Wire recently spoke exclusively with Hand about his competitive mindset, his preparations for the draft, his NFL bloodline, and what he brings to the table as a potential draft pick.
JI: One of the calling cards in your skill set is your physicality. What does a defensive back have to do to obtain that physical edge?
HH: To be honest, it’s really a mindset and wanting to be aggressive. There’s a lot of corners that don’t really like contact, but I say it’s really just gaining the strength and the mindset of being strong and really wanting to overcome the opponent by strength: show them that you’re the top dog.
JI: Your cousin [former Chiefs defensive lineman Turk McBride] played in the NFL for a while. Did growing up watching him play in the league play a factor on your wanting to play in the NFL?
HH: Yeah, definitely. We started to communicate a lot more when I was older, but when we talk now, he gives me advice about what to do when you get into the league, how to carry yourself. It definitely helps a lot.
JI: You transferred from Baylor to Temple for this last season, what was it about Temple that made you want to go there?
HH: A lot of it was [that] I had a lot of family problems going on, with deaths and family issues, that played a huge factor in me coming back home, and my coach [then-cornerbacks coach Fran Brown] left to go back to Temple, so that played a lot [into the decision], plus I was already being recruited before I went to Baylor, so it was kind of like a calling from God, going back home.
JI: Did Matt Rhule’s presence play into your initial decision to go to Baylor?
HH: Yeah, definitely it did. Coach Rhule and Coach Fran Brown, he was the main guy that recruited me, and knowing that, I trusted both of them with my future, I’d say, and they really had my backs and my best interests, knowing what they really had to bring to the table and how great they are of coaches. It was just a no-brainer for me to go.
JI: Now that Rhule is the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, what would you say they’re getting in a head coach there?
HH: I’d definitely say they’re getting a phenomenal head coach that really cares about the players and is always going to put the best on the field. On and off the field, he’s a caring coach, and he knows how to win.
JI: How was your experience at the NFL Scouting Combine?
HH: It was a great experience. It’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime chance, getting to meet a lot of different coaches and a lot of different types of players. I learned a lot from the different coaches, and I really think that I took with me all of that after the Combine, and it was just a great experience.
JI: You excelled in the broad and vertical jumps. What was going through your mind when you saw the numbers you put up?
HH: Truthfully, I know I could have done a little better. I was wishing I could get another jump or test, but I was definitely grateful and proud of what I did, but I always want more.
JI: How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your predraft process?
HH: It didn’t really affect me personally, not really too much, other than me probably flying somewhere to see different coaches, but we’re doing it virtually. I’m still getting my work in and going to the field, I’m still getting my training in, I’m still lifting and everything, so physicality-wise, it’s not different.
JI: How have you adjusted from in-person meetings to meeting virtually, since you mentioned you met with coaches at the Combine?
HH: I treat it like a regular phone call, [because] we’re really just trying to get the best to know each other, and just get yourself out there and communicate.
JI: What would you say is the most important trait a cornerback can have?
HH: I’d say confidence and the ability to recover. When in doubt, most of the time you’re going to be on an island by yourself, so you got to cover, and if you don’t have the confidence, you lost already. You’re definitely going to get beat, and what do you do after you get beat?
JI: How do you spend your free time outside of football?
HH: In my free time, I’m either watching a movie with my family, playing games with my family or Netflix, or I’m on the game playing Call of Duty. I don’t really do too much [outside of that].
JI: With this whole quarantine situation, have you had the chance to get started on any new Netflix shows?
HH: I haven’t watched any new shows, but I just started back up on old shows I used to watch. Not really old shows, but shows with new episodes. Money Heist, that’s my favorite show right here.
JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?
HH: I’d definitely say a self-motivated, passionate worker that’ll come in every day and give you the best, on and off the field. I do my best to be the greatest on the field, and I also do my best to be great off the field, just being a great person to everybody.
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