Marcus Harper II, G Oregon: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Harper was a three-star recruit from Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Flossmoor, Ill. in the class of 2020

The Oregon Ducks have several prospects along their offensive line who could declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, including left guard Marcus Harper II. However, Harper would benefit from returning to school for another year.

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Marcus Harper II, G Oregon: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt junior left guard from Chicago Heights, Ill.

Background: Harper was a three-star recruit from Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Flossmoor, Ill. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 730 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 733 for On3.com. Harper was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 77 grade out of 100. He originally committed to Illinois before flipping to Oregon. Harper lettered three times at Homewood-Flossmoor. He was selected to the Illinois EDGYTIM/Rivals.com 5A-8A All-State Team as a senior and earned Champaign News Gazette First Team All-State honors. Harper helped his team average 32 points per game on their way to reaching the Illinois 8A state quarterfinals. He was a PrepStar All-Midwest Region honoree.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed time in the spring of 2023 with an unspecified injury

Awards: N/A

Pros: Beloved locker room personality, maintains low pad level, thick lower half, plays with a wide base, sturdy lower half helps him anchor, good pop in his heavy hands, violent punches and physicality, plays through the whistle, was putting defenders on the ground left and right against Texas Tech (2023), washes defenders down the line, appears to have a good top speed, experience executing short pulls, erases second level targets on combo blocks, easily seals running lanes, digs out and displaces 3-techs

Cons: Committed seven penalties in 2022, arm length appears less than ideal, arm length was a serious issue vs. Colorado (2023), lacks ideal lateral foot quickness, feet stall in pass pro, better block framing required, gets caught leaning at times, walked back when linemen get into his chest, late to recognize and redirect for stunts, defenders with good arm length separate from his blocks, step slow for executing reach blocks, momentum leads to slipping off blocks, gets over his skis and loses balance in the run game

Overview: Harper is a beloved locker room personality that any NFL team will love to have on their roster. He plays with a low pad level and a wide base that makes the most of his thick and powerful lower half. His sturdy base helps him anchor against power rushers. Harper’s punches are violent and pack good pop to throw defenders off their rush plans. He loads and fires into defenders with shocking strength and physicality. Harper plays through the whistle and wants to put defenders on the turf. The redshirt junior put defenders on the ground left and right against Texas Tech (2023). Unfortunately, his limited arm length emerged as a problem in several games. Colorado’s defenders (2023) took advantage of Harper’s arm length to access his chest and gain a leverage advantage. He has no clear counter once defenders get into his chest, which leads to Harper being walked back into the pocket. The arm length disparity also allows defenders to separate from Harper’s blocks and redirect to the football. The former three-star recruit lacks ideal lateral foot quickness, and his feet sometimes stall in pass protection. He needs to frame his blocks better to contain pass rushers. Harper occasionally gets caught leaning on defenders in both the pass and run games. He is late to recognize and redirect for stunts. Harper uses his power to wash defenders down the line. He has the top speed to lead block on the perimeter and also has experience executing short pulls. Harper erases second level targets on combo blocks. The Illinois native easily seals running lanes and digs out and displaces 3-techs to create gaps for his running back. He gets over his skis and loses his balance in the run game, which causes him to slip off blocks.

Overall, Harper is a powerful, physical guard who enjoys punishing defenders with heavy hands. His sturdy frame also makes him an effective player in the run game. However, Harper’s technical development and ability to sustain blocks with proper hand placement and balance are areas in need of improvement.

Role & Scheme Fit: Left guard in an inside zone or gap scheme

Round Projection: Mid Fifth to Mid Sixth

Size: 6'3", 325 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 10-12-23