All eyes are locked on Saint Vincent College in Latrobe as the Pittsburgh Steelers officially get to work in what promises to be a high-stakes training camp. Amid the buzz of star power and new faces, one name has quickly emerged from the crowd: rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
It didn’t take long for the former Oregon Duck to make his presence felt. In fact, it was hard to miss him.
Harmon, the Steelers' first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, came out of the gate earning first-team reps — a rare sight for a rookie on Mike Tomlin’s squad. And he wasn’t there just to fill space.
Harmon was a force, creating chaos in the backfield, stuffing the run, and relentlessly pressuring the quarterback. It’s one thing to get the opportunity, but another entirely to seize it the way Harmon has.
There’s something refreshing about seeing a rookie arrive with hunger and then back it up with performance.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Derrick Harmon to continue to impress at training camp
Harmon’s college résumé already suggested he had the tools, with five sacks and a reputation for durability and grit during his senior year at Oregon.
But translating that to the NFL stage, even in camp, is no small feat.
What makes Harmon’s emergence even more exciting is the potential ripple effect. Veteran defensive leader Cameron Heyward now has a young, talented player beside him who’s eager to learn and compete.
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For a veteran entering the twilight of his career, that’s a blessing. Heyward has long anchored Pittsburgh’s defensive front, and Harmon’s early surge could allow him to conserve energy, focus on leadership, and stay fresh deeper into the season.
Still, we must ask the fair question — can Harmon sustain this?
Training camp is a grind. It tests everything: physical conditioning, mental toughness, consistency. One good day is a start, but this league is all about stacking those days. If Harmon can continue to grow, adjust, and perform against stronger competition as camp progresses, the Steelers may have landed a true difference-maker.
For now, though, it’s hard not to be impressed. Derrick Harmon showed up, and Pittsburgh is taking notice. If day one is any indication, the Steelers' defense may have just gotten a whole lot nastier.