Michigan EDGE Jaylen Harrell declares for 2024 NFL Draft
Michigan Wolverines football EDGE Jaylen Harrell has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Harrell will forgo his final season of eligibility after spending four years in Ann Arbor.
Harrell made his announcement on Instagram.
“First, I would like to give honor and thanks to God for watching over me and blessing me throughout this journey,” Harrell wrote. “I would also like to think my family for their love, unwavering and tireless support throughout the years. The last 4 years have been life changing, truly amazing and better than I could ever imagine. In 4 years, I’ve attended the best university in the world, worn the mighty winged helmet and earned my degree. I’m ending my college career as a three-time Big Ten champion, Rose Bowl champion and national champion. There’s no place like Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan!
“Thank you to [Michigan head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh for giving me this opportunity. Thank you to all the Michigan coaches, assistants, trainers and staff. We have the best coaches, trainers and staff in the country! The support, guidance and mentor ship from everyone at Michigan has made me the person and player I am today.
“Thank you to the Michigan fans, the best fans in the country!
“Thank you to all my teammates. We’ve fought side by side through the ups and downs; I’m truly grateful for the lasting bonds we’ve forged over the past 4 years. We helped build something special. As a team, we forged an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime. My brothers for life! We made history as a family, an undefeated 15-0 season and national champs!
“Jeremiah 29:11.
“With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft! Go Blue!”
The 6-foot-4, 242-pounder appeared in 44 games with 29 starts over four seasons in Ann Arbor, playing 1,160 defensive snaps, 941 of which came during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Harrell helped the Maize and Blue complete a 15-0 season with the program’s 12th-ever national championship. They beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington in the title game of this past season’s College Football Playoff He leaves Ann Arbor with a 3-0 record over Ohio State and three Big Ten championships.
The Tampa, Fla., native was disruptive as a senior in 2023. He ranked tied for third in the Big Ten with 7.5 sacks and tied for ninth in the league with 31 pressures. Both marks led the Michigan defense. Harrell totaled 31 tackles, including 10 behind the line of scrimmage, with 2 forced fumbles. His pressure and hit on Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord helped force the game-sealing interception in a 30-24 victory at The Big House Nov. 25.
Harrell was known for coming up with timely plays all season long, with head coach Jim Harbaugh referring to him as a “tone-setter.”
“I just got this little feeling in me, like, I know something’s gotta happen,” Harrell recently told TheWolverine.com. “I know I gotta go get it. I just got a little knack for wanting to get the play. Whenever we need something or we need a spark, I know I gotta dig deep and go get it done for my team.”
Harrell became a full-time starter in 2022. Helping lead the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff, he posted 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The prior season, he was used as a run stopper, registering 15 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage. He saw time in four of six games during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
A four-star recruit, Harrell was rated as the No. 319 overall player in the 2020 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
