Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama: 2018 NFL Scouting Report
By Brady Lunt
Alabama has a number of talented prospects entering the NFL Draft, none may be more underrated than safety Ronnie Harrison…
Ronnie Harrison made an instant impact for the Crismon Tide right when he stepped on the field as a freshman.
He started all 15 games including the National Championship. His play further illustrated Alabama’s ability to take extraordinary athletes and develop them into productive football players.
Harrison continued his stretch of solid play through his sophomore and junior campaigns, racking up 160 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions.
His impact wasn’t just felt on defense however, as he was an active contributor on special teams. Harrison was the embodiment of Alabama football.
A tough, physical, athletic dude who played aggressively and wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty.
Measurables
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215 lbs
Year: Junior
Home state: Florida
Strengths
Ronnie Harrison screams Alabama football. He’s a willing tackler who plays tough and physical near the line of scrimmage. He’s an elite athlete with the fluidity and range to excel as a deep safety.
With an NFL-ready frame and hard-hitting style of play, Harrison is one of the most well-rounded safety prospects in the 2018 class. He thrives as a downfield tackler and has shown an ability to rush of the edge. He covers tight ends well, even on deep routes.
He had a knack for making big plays. His athleticism allowed him to contest for jump-balls and was aggressive in limiting receivers exposure to throws. Harrison is one of the more underrated prospects in the country, considering the combination of size, athleticism, and production.
Weaknesses
Harrison tends to play with more ‘Brawn’ then ‘Brains’. Will need to do a better job of diagnosing plays and understanding routes if he’s going to take the next step in the NFL.
He played too aggressive at times, leading to him overshooting the tackle. He can get a bit reckless as a deep safety, will need to play with better control and awareness. He’s also susceptible to taking bad angles in pursuit, leading to missed tackles.
Overall
Ronnie Harrison is one of the more underrated players in this draft class. If he played with more consistency as a deep safety and a did a better job diagnosing plays, he’d likely be a top-15 pick.
Regardless, the physical attributes are there and Harrison has plenty of room to develop. He has pro-bowl potential in the right scheme and should make an immediate impact.