Steelers' Derrick Harmon in his 'element' at rookie camp as he focuses on football

Christopher Carter / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon got his first taste of practice at rookie camp Friday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex along with the other 15 drafted and signed rookies, 25 tryout players and five tryout veterans in attendance.

It was also the first time Harmon got a chance to speak in person in front of Pittsburgh media. His mother died the day after he was drafted by the Steelers, and the Oregon defensive tackle had to forgo the traditional day-after press conference for the Steelers’ first-round pick.

When asked, Harmon acknowledged that being able to focus on football has helped him deal with the difficult loss.

“I’m doing the best I can,” Harmon said during a press scrum after practice. “I’m in football. I’m in my element. That keeps my mind off things. ... I’m still dealing with it. I’m just putting one foot in front of the other.”

During the NFL combine, Harmon noted how he studied Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward to improve against the run game. While he hasn’t had the chance to meet Heyward in person yet, he said they had time to text and he’s excited to finally meet the former Ohio State standout.

“When I got drafted, he texted me,” Harmon said of Heyward. “We didn’t talk about [his study of Heyward]. He was really just giving me my condolences and congratulating me on being drafted. I can’t wait to talk to him when he gets in the locker room. ... It’s still unbelievable.”

The 6-foot-4, 313-pounder who led all defensive tackles in college football with 55 quarterback pressures last season noted the importance for the Steelers’ rookie class — especially on the defensive line — to hit the ground running in 2025.

“We’ve got to set it early,” Harmon said, referring to a physical tone. “This is a totally different league from what I’m used to and from what [fifth-round pick Yahya] Black is used to. We just have to come in here and dominate.”

While Harmon has yet to meet Heyward, he has met third-year defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and noted how the two have hit it off as teammates.

“We’ve been talking since we got here,” Harmon said of Benton. “He sits next to me and all. He’s a nice teammate to have. He came from the Big Ten just like me, so we know how ball is.”

From Harmon’s experience at Oregon, which moved to the Big Ten in 2024, Benton’s time at Wisconsin, fourth-round rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer from Ohio State and fifth-round selection Black’s experience at Iowa, there’s a prominent presence of Big Ten products among the Steelers’ younger defensive investments in the draft.

“The [Ohio] State guys here, still upset about that loss,” Harmon said of the Ducks’ 41-21 defeat to the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. “But it’s good having those guys on my team. ... Everybody’s ready to work. Everybody’s ready to get to it, and everyone’s got high energy for our first walkthrough.”

Harmon played all of his career in the Big Ten, with three years at Michigan State before his 2024 transfer to Oregon. But he credited his experience at Oregon with why he felt at home with the Steelers and what was asked of him in his first practice.

“No, sir. I’m coming from Oregon,” Harmon said when asked if he’s overwhelmed by anything the Steelers have asked of him. “They throw everything at us. I was in the NFL at Oregon, and they prepare us very well.”

For most of the practice, Harmon worked on footwork and hand-placement drills with Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin. Dunbar, in his eighth year with the Steelers, was quick to set a tone with Harmon in practice.

“Hell of a coach,” Harmon said of Dunbar. “That guy is going to coach you hard. But the guy cares about his players.”

Harmon took time to dispel a rumor that surrounded him during and after the draft about a potential shoulder injury that could’ve lingered from his time at Oregon and doubled down that he was fine after making a similar comment during the NFL combine.

“Nothing is wrong with my shoulder,” Harmon said. “I’m 100% and ready to go.”

As rookie camp concludes Saturday, Harmon feels ready to continue the early steps in his NFL career as the kind of player who fits in with the Steelers’ culture.

“You’ve got to have some grit to be in this organization,” Harmon said. “You’ve got to have a bit of an edge to you and play with a bit of pride. I feel like that’s me.”