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The first NFL preseason for rookies, especially if you’re not a first-round pick, are some of the most important weeks of your career.
You have to make good on your time on the field and understand that each play matters.
Former Alabama safety Ronnie Harrison has done just that in two games for the Jaguars, and during their 14-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings, his teammates and coaches started to notice.
According to First Coast News, the third-round pick in this year’s draft was told shortly before the game that he would be starting at free safety in place of Pro Bowler Tashaun Gipson. Normally, getting the last-minute news that you would be making your first NFL start could rattle you, but not Harrison.
He went out and shined, recording five tackles and a forced fumble.
At practice the following Monday, coach Doug Marrone praised the young safety for rising to the challenge presented to him.
“He went out there, had good hits, jarred the ball loose and played extremely well,” Marrone told First Coast News. “It was probably everything we were looking for when we drafted him. Is there room to improve? Of course, there is. There always is. But I thought he did a nice job from how he handled himself, calls, what he was doing. He did a good job.”
Barry Church, who starts at strong safety, was also very impressed with Harrison’s development.
“From my perspective, he played amazingly,” said Church. “For him to be able to pick up the communication that we have and not really make many mental mistakes and be able to be in his place and do his job at all times was pretty impressive.”
Former Tennessee Volunteer and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Malik Jackson also shared his thoughts on the young safety:
“I think he understands that we have high expectations here, especially from [the starters]. If you’re a young guy and you go out there with us, we expect you to act like nothing happened and you’re the same guy [as the player you’re replacing]. [Harrison] coming from where he came from, I think he has a great understanding of what it takes to go out there and start and play like us. He didn’t skip a beat [against Minnesota]. It means a lot to us because we have a guy who is sticking his head into things, being where he’s supposed to be as a [run] fit. Especially on defense, it allows us to be normal and not have to over-extend to help somebody else.”
Jordan Dajani covers SEC football for Saturday Down South and is a University of Tennessee graduate. He also has experience working in the NBA and with ESPN.
