Getting to know the Patriots’ third-round draft picks
83rd overall: Logan Ryan
Position: Cornerback
School: Rutgers University
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 191 pounds
In high school, Ryan excelled as a quarterback but made the switch to cornerback once he started playing for Rutgers. Ryan projects to have a nice career ahead of him, as he has good size for his position and plays hard every time he steps on the field. He plays with a reckless abandon and a will to win, which will fit in nicely with Bill Belichick’s philosophy.
He also already has a relationship with Patriot Devin McCourty, as McCourty was a senior at Rutgers during Ryan’s red shirt freshman year and Ryan credits McCourty with helping him transition into the player her is today.
Ryan is a smart guy (he earned Academic All Big East honors multiple times) who steadily improved in every season at Rutgers, which displays a willingness to keep pushing himself and keep learning that could make him very successful under Belichick. While he may still be a bit raw, he has the strength and the desire to improve, which will aid him in his NFL career.
Quote: “The relationship that Devin and I have goes beyond words. He’s a guy that helped me make the transition coming from being a talented high school player to becoming a college corner, and now for him to be there for this next step – I’ve grown up over the years – I’m not that 18-year-old boy anymore. To have the opportunity to compete alongside him in practice every day and the work ethic that he brings and the great leader that he is – I’m just honored to be able to play alongside him and [be in] the Patriots organization.”
91st overall: Duron Harmon
Position: Safety
School: Rutgers University
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 200 pounds
During the 2012 season at Rutgers, Harmon started all 13 games at safety, recording 50 tackles and seven pass breakups. For all his hard work, he was honored with his second consecutive first-team all-conference nod. As a junior, Harmon ranked second in the Big East with five interceptions en route to all-Big East honors, and now he is living the dream having been drafted into the NFL.
Harmon, like many, was surprised to be selected in the third round, as he was projected to go either in the late rounds of the draft or sign with a team as a free agent. But Harmon is a smart player who often led the Rutgers defense by making the calls from the back of the field and reading plays well, which may have attracted Belichick to him.
While Harmon may be living the good life, he doesn’t let it get to his head. He speaks with a humility and wisdom beyond his years, showing he may come to be a favorite among his teammates and the fans during his NFL career ahead.
Quote: “I’m very excited [to play for Belichick]. You just look at his track record – he is a winner and he knows how to win. I’m excited to play for somebody like that. He’s proven he has the philosophy, the mindset to win games. Just to come into the NFL and be lucky enough to play for a coach like that is just unbelievable. A lot of people do not get that chance. He’s a Hall of Fame coach and I’m just excited to not only play for him but to soak up all the knowledge that he gives to all of his players.”
