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Former OSU Beaver Captain, Sean Harlow was one of the most versatile Offensive Linemen the Beavers have had in recent memory. He brings a toughness and a diverse skill set to the NFL Draft along with an NFL bloodline, which will go a long was this draft season. Let’s take a look at his Football career.
Sean Harlow, the son of former All-American and NFL Offensive Tackle, Pat Harlow, played multiple positions across the Offensive Line during his career at OSU. Following his early enrolment at OSU in Spring 2013, Harlow entered the season as a backup Offensive tackle and a top candidate to redshirt as a Freshmen. Due to injuries however, Harlow was thrusted into a starting role at Right Tackle against San Diego State on September 21st, 2013, where he started the final nine games as a True Freshman.
As a Sophomore in 2014, Harlow practiced at all five Offensive Line positions during spring ball, putting his versatility and football IQ on full display. Harlow started all 12 games for OSU at Tackle; the first 5 at Right Tackle, and the final seven games at Left Tackle. In his Junior campaign in 2015, Harlow started at Left Tackle for the first seven games, before an ankle injury on against Colorado cut his season short, putting the start of his Senior Season in doubt.
Prior to the 2016 Season, Harlow was chosen as a Team Captain. As Harlow continued his rehab on his ankle through Fall Camp, he contemplated redshirting the 2016 Season to gain an extra year of eligibility. However, the training staff dubbed the Senior ready to go during week 4 of the Season against Colorado. Harlow started at Left Tackle for the final Nine games of the season, propelling the Beavers to set an OSU single-season rushing record, 5.2 yards per carry. Capped off with a Civil War Victory against the hated Ducks, ending an eight-year skid and earning All-Pac-12 honors, receiving an invitation to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and NFL Scouting Combine in the process.
His versatility and toughness goes deeper than just his college career however. That brings us to the NFL Combine.
Let’s look at what he did at the combine:
Measurements: 6’ 4’’- 303 lbs 32’’ arms – 9 ½ ‘’ hands
Bench Press: 26 Reps (7th among OL Group)
40-yard dash: 5.15 seconds (9th fastest in OL Group)
Vertical Jump: 30.5 inches (3rd highest in OL Group)
Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches
3-cone drill: 8.16 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.81 seconds
Harlow’s measurements makes him a teenier and is why he projects to kick inside in the NFL. What really jumps out here to me, is his vertical and 40-yard dash. The 40 isn’t the most important part of an Offensive Linemen’s game, however this time shows his burst which is key for a Guard in the NFL to get up to the second level. As for his vertical, having this sort of athleticism is something that can’t be coached and will go a long way for him on Sundays. His 26 reps on bench were above average, which is good as well.
Let’s see what the scouts had to say:
STRENGTHS:
“Grinder who gives good effort in double teams and down blocks. Sinks hips into initial contact at point of attack. Plays with decent hand strength. Has some natural upper-body power. Able to lock-out and stalemate against power as base blocker. Keeps feet driving once he locks onto second-level foes. Looks to finish his blocks. Has taken multiple practice reps at center. Has experience at both tackle spots. Father, Pat, was an All-American offensive tackle at USC and a first-round pick of New England Patriots in 1991.”
AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY:
“Has short arms and operates with low hands pre-punch. Sluggish with eyes and feet. Gets behind in his blocks too often. Plodding feet create inefficient routes to his block. Legs straighten out after contact as run blocker. Struggles to control run blocks with hands due to lack of length. Bull-rushed the entire game by much smaller edge rushers. Struggles to drop anchor and fight back; could see the same results with move inside.”
SUMMARY:
“Lacks the length and athletic ability to play tackle at the next level and will have to kick inside. Shows some power at the point of attack, but needs to play with better bend after initial contact. Will be a little limited in space and his anchor problems as a left tackle will have to be vetted in pre-draft workouts after he kicks inside. Could be a serviceable backup with swing ability between center and guard.”
Harlow did all the right things when preparing for the NFL Draft. His measurements, on-field drills, and combine as a whole, was better than some expected and helped his draft stock. Harlow is excellent at the point of attack, driving defenders off the ball, has active hands, can get to the next level, and processes a high football IQ to boot.
Harlow may project as an inside Offensive Linemen, namely Guard, but in the right system with the right coaching, he can play all over the line. Whatever NFL Team takes a chance on The Beaver Great, will be in for a treat and will see the versatility, toughness, and leadership he brings immediately. This past Summer “Building The Dam” had an article about Sean Harlow being the Beavers’ best NFL prospect: Sean Harlow Best NFL Prospect and that still rings true today as the 2017 NFL Draft approaches.
Prediction: 6th Round to the New England Patriots
Sean Harlow’s “2017 NFL Draft Player Profile” is the fourth in our series chronicling Oregon State’s six NFL Draft prospects in the days leading up to Thursday night’s NFL Draft. The rest will be released in the following order on the following days:
- VICTOR BOLDEN JR. (FRI 4/21)
- DEVIN CHAPPELL (SAT 4/22)
- TRESTON DECOUD (SUN 4/23)
- SEAN HARLOW (MON 4/24)
- GAVIN ANDREWS (TUES 4/25)
- DUSTIN STANTON (WED 4/26)