A 2023 defense captain is turning pro.
Jaylen Harrell, an edge rusher for Michigan, declared for the NFL Draft on social media on Friday afternoon, saying he will forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility.
“The last 4 years have been life changing, truly amazing and better than I could ever imagine,” Harrell said in the announcement. “I’ve studied at the greatest university in the world for four years, worn the powerful winged helmet, and received my degree. As a three-time Big Ten champion, Rose Bowl champion, and National champion, I’m wrapping up my time in college. The University of Michigan and Ann Arbor are unmatched places!
Harrell recorded 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks during his time at Michigan. He made 44 appearances, 31 of which were starts. With 7.5 sacks at the end of the season, he tied for third most in the conference. The past two seasons, in which he started every game, he was an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team.
The senior pass rusher decided it was time to advance as a champion and redshirted his freshman year. He still had one COVID year of eligibility left.
“To all of my teammates, I’m grateful. In his announcement, he said, “We’ve battled together through the highs and lows; I’m sincerely appreciative of the enduring relationships we’ve created over the past four years. “We helped build something special. We created an enduring bond as a team that will last a lifetime. Forever my brothers! As a family, we created history by going 15-0 and winning the national championship!
Harrell, a 6-foot-4, 242-pound pass rusher, will be highly sought after in the next level of competition. Along with linebacker Junior Colson and offensive linemen LaDarius Henderson and Zak Zinter, he is the third member of the Michigan Wolverines to have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
