Myles Harden (born December 13, 2001) is an American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes and was selected by the Browns in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life

Harden was born on December 13, 2001, in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he grew up.[1] After initially playing basketball, he first tried out football at age eight.[1] He attended Miramar High School in Florida where he played both football and track and field, being a three-year varsity letter-winner on the football team after being called up from the junior varsity as a sophomore.[1] As a junior, Harden received honorable mention All-County honors and as a senior he totaled eight interceptions while being named All-County.[1] He helped Miramar win a district title and was invited to the Dade vs. Broward County All-Star Game.[2] Harden received little attention as a recruit, ultimately enrolling at the University of South Dakota as a zero-star prospect.[3]

College career

Harden's first year, the 2020 season, was postponed to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in his debut, he totaled four tackles, two interceptions and two pass deflections.[3] He ultimately started four games and recorded 16 tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions, being the nation leader in pass defended per game while being named honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), to the All-MVFC newcomer team, and freshman All-American by HERO Sports.[4][5]

Harden's fall 2021 season ended six games in due to a leg injury; he was the team's fourth-leading tackler by the time of his injury.[4][3][6] In 2022, he played in six games before re-injuring the same leg and missing the rest of the year.[3] He nonetheless was named All-MVFC, HERO Sports sophomore All-American and was the third-leading tackler on the team by that point (44 tackles), also forcing six turnovers with nine pass deflections.[5][7] In his senior year, Harden became team captain and played in 13 games, finishing with 58 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception while being chosen first-team All-MVFC and first-team All-American by several selectors.[1][8]

Harden declared for the 2024 NFL draft and received invites to the East–West Shrine Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.[1][9]

Professional career

Harden was selected in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Brugler, Dane (April 2024). "The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 270.
  2. ^ Huggins II, Gerald J. (March 5, 2024). "2024 FCS NFL Draft Scouting Report: South Dakota DB Myles Harden". Sports Illustrated.
  3. ^ a b c d Nielson, Jacob (April 24, 2024). "Self-confident Myles Harden eager for NFL opportunity: 'It starts this weekend'". Mitchell Republic.
  4. ^ a b "Myles Harden". South Dakota Coyotes.
  5. ^ a b Rupp, Brennen (February 12, 2024). "Unpacking Future Packers: No. 84, South Dakota CB Myles Harden". USA Today.
  6. ^ McCleary, Michael (October 12, 2021). "University of South Dakota football star Myles Harden out for 'a long period of time' with lower-body injury". Argus-Leader.
  7. ^ "USD cornerback Myles Harden named to the "Comeback Player of the Year" watch list". Dakota Broadcasting. October 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Myles Harden NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for South Dakota CB". Bleacher Report. 2024.
  9. ^ Sweeter, Grant (April 23, 2024). "Myles Harden hopeful to hear name in NFL Draft". KELO-TV.
  10. ^ Easterling, Chris (April 27, 2024). "Browns pick South Dakota's Myles Harden at No. 227 of NFL draft 2024. Our scouting report". Akron Beacon Journal.

External links