Falcons Rookie Zach Harrison Earns Praise from Arthur Smith: 'Slow and Steady'

As his first season draws to a close, Falcons rookie defensive end Zach Harrison is making a name for himself in the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons have had an up-and-down season, but the recent play of defensive lineman Zach Harrison has been a highlight for the team.

Over the past few weeks, Atlanta's rookie third-rounder has displayed some of the talent that earned him All-Big Ten second-team honors with the Ohio State Buckeyes a season ago. 

In Weeks 15 and 16, Harrison has totaled a combined seven tackles (six solo), three sacks, three stuffs, and a pass deflection. Impressive production, considering that before the past two weeks, the only stats he had were 22 tackles and 2.5 stuffs on the season. 

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison (96) takes down Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

"When the opportunity presented itself, he’s taken advantage of it," Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said. 

His coach clarified that Harrison's recent production wasn't coming out of nowhere or based on one "aha" moment where suddenly things just clicked; it was thanks to the grind he'd been putting in all season.

"He’s been putting the work in all year, slow and steady," Smith said.

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Smith highlighting multiple rookies speaks well for the future in Atlanta, but Harrison has arguably the highest upside of any of them, thanks to his background as a prospect. 

Going back to his high school days, Harrison was the top defensive end in the country and a top-five recruit overall in his class as an elite five-star prospect. Standing 6-5 and roughly 275 pounds as a former top recruit in the nation, the Falcons may have the next Rashan Gary on their hands if Harrison continues to shine down the stretch and build in his rookie season.