Tag: harrison hand

Meet Harrison Hand, Temple’s pro-ready CB prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Temple cornerback prospect Harrison Hand

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.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

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.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

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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Seahawks Wire Mock 2.0: Predicting Seattle’s picks in 2020 NFL Draft

A look at seven players the Seattle Seahawks could select in the 2020 NFL draft, following their moves in free agency.

The Seattle Seahawks, through the first week of free agency, have made a handful of moves to further solidify areas of need on the 2020 roster.

Those moves have almost certainly altered their draft board, putting heavier emphasis on some positions while making other positions less important.

Here at the Seahawks Wire, we have altered our draft projections as well. Using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, we ran another potential mock draft based on Seattle’s updated needs, and the loss of a fifth round pick thanks to the Quinton Dunbar trade.

Here is a write-up of each of the seven mocked selections for the Seahawks, and why the picks would make sense for Pete Carroll, John Schneider and company as they look to build a Super Bowl contender in 2020.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

Giants select Mekhi Becton, stock up in Draft Wire’s 7-round mock

In Draft Wire’s most recent seven-round mock draft, the New York Giants select OT Mekhi Becton and stock up at positions of need.

Now that the NFL has announced the compensatory draft picks for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, we can take mock drafts a little more seriously.

Luke Easterling of USA Today’s Draft Wire released his full seven-round mock draft on Wednesday. Here’s how he sees the New York Giants making out.

Round 1, Pick 4: Mekhi Becton, offensive tackle, Louisville

Taking Becton over Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons and Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs is going to disappoint many Giant fans. So is not trading back at No. 4 and still getting one of the three. But Becton is a monster of a prospect and should be a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle n this league. It’s not the sexiest pick, but with a young quarterback and an offensive line that is in dire need of upgrades, I’ll take this pick all day long.

Round 2, Pick 36: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

The Giants need to address the pass rush and their defensive end roles. Lewis is 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds and is seen as an ascending prospect who hopefully has put his injury woes behind him. He did not run the 40 at the Combine, so his pro day will tell more of the tale of where he is physically.

Round 3, Pick 99: Troy Pride Jr., cornerback,  Notre Dame

Highly productive college player with polish and should be able to walk right into the Giants’ secondary and secure a role. The Giants are young and inexperienced at corner and need some steady hands at the position.

Round 4, Pick 110: Brandon Jones, safety, Texas

Average skills and size but played aggressively. The Giants need more depth at safety with Jabrill Peppers coming off injury and Antoine Bethea turning 36 in July, a young safety is needed.

Round 5, Pick 150: Michael Divinity Jr., linebacker, LSU

Ran a 4.85 40 at the Combine and doesn’t appear to be more than backup material at first glance. Would’ve gone with another player here.

Round 6, Pick 183: Quartney Davis, wide receiver, Texas A&M

Probably coming out a year too early but that’s the nature of the games these days. Davis is fast (4.54 40) and productive and could be a sleeper the way Darius Slayton was last year.

Round 7, Pick 218: John Molchon, offensive lineman, Boise State

Pegged as in interior guy with decent size (6’5″, 310) but has short arms for his size. It may not matter if he can hold his own in the NFL. He was all-conference two years running in spite of that.

Round 7, Pick 238 (from NO): Rodney Smith, running back, Minnesota

A fifth-year senior, Smith was second-team All-Big 10 last year and was the 2016 Holiday Bowl MVP. The Giants are concerned with Saquon Barkley’s durability after last year’s ankle injury and are in the market for running backs.

Round 7, Pick 247: Harrison Hand, cornerback, Temple

Athletic Jersey kid who is worth taking a flier on. They need both depth in the secondary and on special teams and Hand might fit both roles.

Round 7, Pick 255: Trevis Gipson, defensive line, Tulsa

Still a developing talent, Gipson exploded last year at Tulsa with 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks with two forced fumbles in 11 starts. Doubtful he’s here to be taken with the Mr. Irrelevant pick.

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2020 NFL draft: Why CB Harrison Hand is a good fit for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks love long, physical defensive backs, and Temple’s Harrison Hand is the perfect fit for them in the 2020 NFL draft.

Over the last decade, the Seattle Seahawks have become known for their ability to turn relatively unheralded defensive back prospects into stars. The Legion of Boom was built from two fifth round picks, an undrafted free agent and first rounder Earl Thomas – a testament to Pete Carroll’s ability to develop talent in the secondary.

The other big hallmark of that era was length, a key scouting tool that allowed the Seahawks to find and evaluate players that were otherwise being overlooked.

Assuming those principles still apply to this team, there are quite a few day three cornerback prospects who could fit the bill as the next great Carroll project in the 2020 NFL draft.

One of them is Temple corner Harrison Hand, who projects as a fifth or sixth round pick but who was measured at the NFL combine with a 76 3/8 inch wingspan and 31 6/8 inch arms – well above the average among the rest of the corners participating in the event.

Hand spent his first two collegiate seasons with Baylor before transferring to Temple, where he recorded 43 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions and a forced fumble last season.

In addition to having the requisite length to thrive in Carroll’s defense, he is a punishing hitter known for his physicality, particularly in the run game. He excels in cover-3 schemes, Carroll’s defense of choice, and has a reputation for laying big-time hits, a la Marquise Blair.

Hand probably isn’t ready to come in and start right away, and there’s some concern about his overall quickness at the next level, but he seems nearly perfect for the next Seahawks developmental project in the secondary, and could be an instant contributor on the special teams.

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