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'Pressure makes diamonds': Jaguars OL Anton Harrison arrives at TIAA Bank Field

demetrius harvey, florida times-union
·6 min read

JACKSONVILLE — In his first appearance at TIAA Bank Field, it was easy to see why the Jaguars coveted former Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Joined by his family, including two brothers — Donte Harrison and Mehki Moore — along with his aunt Harriet Wiley, mother Crystal Wiley and father Andre Harrison, the Jaguars' latest rookie walked confidently to his introductory press conference, a day filled with joy, enthusiasm and hope for the future.

More importantly, though, it was a day of celebration for him and his family, who traveled from Washington, D.C. to be with the young 21-year-old on perhaps the biggest day of his life thus far.

Anton Harrison poses for a photo with his brother Donte Harrison, aunt Harriet Wiley, mother Crystal Wiley, brother Mehki Moore and father Andre Harrison in front of the Jaguar statue outside TIAA Bank Field early Friday afternoon. Anton Harrison arrived with his family as he made his first visit at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL after being flown down from the Washington, DC area Friday, April 28, 2023. Harrison, an offensive tackle from the University of Oklahoma, became the Jacksonville Jaguars' first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, being the 27 overall pick late Thursday night.

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"Yeah, it means a lot for me, definitely. Since being young, all the sacrifice and work that we put in, me, myself, my family, the love and sacrifice they did for me helped me get here. It's big for all of us," Harrison said. "Those are people that are always with me no matter what, the bad and good throughout my whole life, help me to become the man I am today. That's why they're here with me now."

Joined by Jaguars owner Shad Khan, head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, the team's owner also reflected on the moment. Oftentimes, the incredible journey these players take can be forgotten — the moment lost.

"I think it's awesome to be able to share that. Frankly, it's part of football. All of us certainly sitting here, I mean, we're blessed by the NFL," said Khan, an immigrant from Pakistan, ultimately becoming a successful businessman before owning the Jaguars.

"For someone else who gave their life to the sport and has worked hard, to see the rewards, I think for me obviously it's very satisfying. I feel great about it."

Now, Harrison — along with his family — will have an opportunity to take the day in before getting to work. The expectations will certainly be high for the first-rounder, but he has no problem with that.

Anton Harrison will embrace the pressure, challenge of NFL

Khan opened the press conference with a light-hearted joke while introducing Harrison to the media and Duval.

"Enjoy the day. Pressure will come later," he said with a laugh.

It's true, Harrison will be under certain pressure as the team's first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

There's no doubt about it after the team lost right tackle Jawaan Taylor to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, while reportedly awaiting word from the league regarding left tackle Cam Robinson's potential suspension to start the season.

Jaguars first round draft pick Anton Harrison poses for photos with a Jaguars jersey after the press conference introducing him to the media. Anton Harrison arrived with his family as he made his first visit at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL after being flown down from the Washington, DC area Friday, April 28, 2023. Harrison, an offensive tackle from the University of Oklahoma, became the Jacksonville Jaguars' first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, being the 27 overall pick late Thursday night.

Harrison will likely have to come in and play quickly — if not right away — with Jacksonville after starting for just two years at Oklahoma.

But, he's not worried about that and agreed with the stance that it's good to go to a place where the expectations are so high.

"I say really just strive under pressure. Pressure makes diamonds. Strive under pressure. Take it day by day, do what I did to get here," Harrison said.

Growing up in D.C., Harrison had the opportunity to see many star athletes go on to become NFL players. The list includes receiver Stefon Diggs and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs. Growing up and watching their success is big, Harrison said.

"I'm just glad to be a part of the list, to be someone that kids under me look up to, want to be," he said.

Phil Rauscher's scouting report: 'Strong. Tough. Dependable'

Harrison's new position coach, Phil Rauscher, was also in attendance to hear from the first-rounder, getting an opportunity to soak everything in and get pumped up for his new offensive tackle.

Jaguars Offensive line coach Phil Rauscher during one-on-one drills at Monday's training camp. The Jacksonville Jaguars held training camp Monday, August 1, 2022, at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville Knight Campus practice fields on Atlantic Blvd.
Jaguars Offensive line coach Phil Rauscher during one-on-one drills at Monday's training camp. The Jacksonville Jaguars held training camp Monday, August 1, 2022, at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville Knight Campus practice fields on Atlantic Blvd.

Speaking with the Times-Union following the press conference, Rauscher gave a glowing, but succinct, review of Harrison.

“Strong. Tough. Dependable. That’s what we’re looking for in linemen — strong, tough, dependable guys. He fits that whole mold,” Rauscher said of the 6-foot-4, 315-pounder.

The Jaguars selected a similarly strong, tough and dependable player a couple of years ago, selecting Walker Little in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

“All those things I just said encompass who he is as a guy, a guy we want to bring into our room and help us really become the team we think we can be," Rauscher continued. "There’s a really good chance he could be a guy that’s at that position for a really long time and anchor it down.”

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson reiterated the same during the press conference, noting his skillset fits the Jaguars' offense very well.

"Everything about him: his skillset, how he fits, how he moves, the transition from right side to left side. His ability to not only pass block but come off the ball and have that mean streak in him as an offensive lineman in the run game. That's what you see with him," said Pederson. "That's what we got excited about."

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke flank first round draft pick Anton Harrison during the press conference introducing the newest member of the team. Anton Harrison arrived with his family as he made his first visit at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL after being flown down from the Washington, DC area Friday, April 28, 2023. Harrison, an offensive tackle from the University of Oklahoma, became the Jacksonville Jaguars' first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, being the 27 overall pick late Thursday night.

Harrison's exact position remains to be seen, though Baalke and Pederson stated Thursday he would be playing tackle. The question is, right or left? And there will be an adjustment if he's asked to switch sides.

"There’s guys who go right and left every day at practice. It’s just a matter of getting used to doing something a little bit differently than you’ve done your whole life," Rauscher said. "It’s not a major transition, but it’s something that he’ll have to work at.”

Ultimately, Rauscher is excited the team was able to snag him. The team risked losing out on Harrison by virtue of trading down twice from pick No. 24 to No. 27. That gave Rauscher a bit of trepidation.

"Me and Press [Taylor] were jumping up and down in the room at one point, but we got our guy," he said.

Harrison's early love for basketball turned into passion for football

Harrison didn't start out his athletic career in football. Instead, the young athlete from the DMV turned to basketball at Archbishop Carroll High School located in the Brookland Neighborhood of Northeast Washington, D.C.

Harrison loved playing basketball throughout his high school career. He played first on junior varsity, scoring 14.9 points per game and 13.8 rebounds per game, according to MaxPreps before continuing on varsity through the rest of his prep career.

Ultimately, though, he knew that football would be what he had a future in, noting that it clicked during his sophomore season.

"I played both sports throughout all my years of high school. Really going out there and playing football every day, I started to really have a love for the game, loving it way more than basketball," Harrison said with a smile.

"Then just being real with myself, knowing I could really do this at the next level, football instead of basketball."

Now, he'll be able to continue that love on the biggest stage.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars OL Anton Harrison arrives at TIAA Bank Field after NFL Draft