Wild stat shows that Oregon Ducks' Derrick Harmon is the country's best defensive tackle

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Jon Helmkamp | Last updated Oct 16, 2024 11:04 PM ET

What Derrick Harmon is doing for the Oregon Ducks as a defensive tackle isn't getting nearly enough publicity.

The dude is a force. He's not just anchoring the middle of the defensive line, but is consistently collapsing the pocket and making life incredibly difficult on opposing quarterbacks. There's one stat in particular that shows how far Harmon is ahead of other defensive tackles in college football.

Defensive tackles normally stuff the run. Not only is Harmon doing that, but he's feasting on pass rush situations.

Harmon currently leads all defensive tackles in college football with 28 total pressures on 137 pass rush snaps — he's getting a pressure on over 20% of his pass rush attempts.

For context, the second-most pressures at the defensive tackle position belongs to Walter Nolen from Ole Miss with 22, but it's taken him 220 pass rush snaps to do it — that's 10%.

Harmon is dominating at a higher rate than any defensive tackle in college football. The beauty of it? It's not hurting his run defense either. PPF has Harmon with the highest run defense grade amongst defensive tackles as well.

Most impressive thing I came away from #Oregon DT Derrick Harmon's performance vs. Ohio State: how effective he was in the run game against double teams. A couple times he anchored against doubles and made run stops.

Pass rush ability is well-known, but was stout vs. the run pic.twitter.com/DLdye0j8P9
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 14, 2024

The Ducks have the benefit of having great pass rush play from their edge rushers like Jordan Burch and Matayo Uiagalalei , but the production that they are getting out of their defensive tackle position is even more impressive. This defensive front is ready to lead the charge as the Oregon Ducks cement themselves as one of the best teams in the country.

This is the type of defensive play that helped Oregon beat Ohio State, is a big part of Oregon being ranked No. 2 in the country for the first time since the 2014 season, and is going to be a huge reason why the Ducks should not be taken lightly in their quest for a National Championship.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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