Signing Day Profile: Safety Jalen Harrell

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Matthew_Suero

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2020 Champagnat Catholic (FL) S Jalen Harrell signed with Miami this morning. Harrell is the 11th signee of the day for Miami.



The 6-2, 180-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Composite, Harrell is the #236 player nationally, the #22 S in the country, and the #38 player in the state of Florida.

Recruiting Story

Jalen Harrell earned his Miami offer in January of this year and was considered by many to be a Miami lean. However, Jalen Harrell would commit to FSU in April while in Tallahassee for a visit. Florida State had a slow start to their season, and Harrell would eventually decommit in mid-October. Harrell would be a frequent visitor on Miami’s campus and at games from that point forward before eventually pulling the trigger for the Canes on November 29th. Harrell was solid on his pledge to Miami since that point.

Evaluation

On film, Harrell shows he is elite in run support and shows very good tackling form. Comfortable working in the box and cleaning up plays at the second level. Demonstrates great closing burst to make a play on the ball. Launches himself like a projectile at his target and is a devastating hitter. Physical DB that loves to play press-man and bump and run. Works his off-hand well. Shows good pattern recognition and instincts that help him shut down yards after catch. Versatile defender you can move around to many areas of the field. Right now, it seems Miami wants him at safety, but with his build and run-instincts, Harrell could certainly roll down into the box and be a dangerous striker down the line.

The Team

Harrell could play at either safety or striker, so we will examine both of those positions. At safety, Miami will return players like Gurvan Hall, Amari Carter, Keontra Smith, and Bubba Bolden, who had his season cut short due to injury. The only player from the 2019 squad who will not be returning is Robert Knowles. For that reason, Harrell may have a faster path to seeing the field if he commits to the striker position.

At striker, Miami lost Romeo Finley to graduation. Finley has been Miami’s starter at striker ever since the position was brought to Miami two years ago. Gilbert Frierson served as Finley’s backup last season but struggled at times. Frierson does not have that position locked up, so Harrell could challenge for playing time as early as his freshman season.

Redshirt Probability: 5/10

It is difficult to project how much playing time a player will see as a freshman when they do not have a set position. Harrell will have a chance to compete for playing time at both safety and striker as well as special teams, but if he does not develop as quickly as Miami would hope, then he could easily take a redshirt year.

 
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I think he can be a safety here, but regardless, his versatility will be an asset. Welcome to the U!
 
Almost 2 years ago he ran in two 100m meets in HS track. The first was 12.01 a month later is the district championships posted an 11.76. He has not participated in track again but he should be by now in the lower 11s now.
 
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