PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon said he’s still dealing with the loss of his mother as she passed the day after he was drafted. He said he’s doing the best he can, but starting on Friday at rookie mini-camp, Harmon is back in his element.
The player who led FBS in quarterback pressures by 11 in 2024 returned to a football field for the first time as a pro at the UPMC Rooney Facility on the South Side. The Oregon star called it a dream come true and immediately hit it off with his new teammates.
“I love these guys,” Harmon said Friday. “Everybody is ready to work, ready to get to it. Everybody is coming out with high energy. We had our first walk-through and guys were getting after it and coaching each other up.”
Harmon’s locker right next to third-year defensive lineman Keeanu Benton and said they’ve already been talking. He said Benton (Wisconsin) also played in the Big 10 ‘so we know how ball is’.
There are some other Big 10 guys, specifically those from Ohio State. It was the Buckeyes who ended Oregon’s season in the college football playoffs last year. He said he’s still upset about the game, but hasn’t talked to those guys about it. Not that he was upset to have them as teammates, calling them good ballplayers.
Now starting his professional career, Harmon is ready to do whatever, and he says he knows what he’s doing.
“I'm coming from Oregon and they throw everything at us,” Harmon said. “I was in the NFL at Oregon and I feel like I'm right here. They prepare us at Oregon very well.”
That includes the odd fronts he played in college. He immediately agreed that what the Steelers run, he understands and can flourish. Harmon believes he has the edge, grit and pride to make an impact in the Steelers defense.
His goal is to prove Art Rooney, Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin right.
“To come in here and dominate,” Harmon said.