Rams notebook: After playing two sports in college, Harlan’s focus is football
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notebook-after-playing-two-sports-in-college-harlan-s/article_8bd49928-d932-51aa-a87a-f390f5f331be.html
At 6 feet 4 and weighing 281 pounds, Deantre Harlan was a force in the middle of the Bacone College defense in Muskogee, Okla., during the 2012 and 2013 football seasons.
But the Rams’ rookie defensive tackle also played for the Warriors’ basketball squad.
“Actually, I played small forward, shooting guard, power forward and even some point guard. But I don’t play center,’’ he joked. “I don’t really miss it — right now, my complete focus is on football — but I think these guys might be surprised if they saw me on the court.’’
Signed as a free agent shortly after the draft, Harlan is hoping his combination of size, quickness and athletic ability can open the way for a career in the NFL. In two seasons at Bacone, an NAIA program, he recorded 72 tackles, including 23 for loss, and 13 sacks.
“At this point, I definitely think the speed of the game is the biggest difference from college and what I’ve seen here,’’ he said. “But I’m enjoying every bit of this. I’m enjoying the football and I’m enjoying St. Louis. If I keep doing everything I’ve been doing, the things that helped get me here, and just keep taking it a day at a time, I feel like I have a chance.’’
Harlan, 23, grew up near Fort Worth, Texas, and started his college football career at Baylor University. But after realizing that he still wanted to play basketball, he ended up at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville.
“I grew up going from football to basketball, plus baseball,’’ he recalled. “I feel like I might’ve been able to do both at Baylor, but (Bears football coach Art Briles) wouldn’t allow it because (Tennessee Titans receiver and former Baylor standout) Kendall Wright got hurt playing basketball the year before.’’
After one season at Oklahoma Wesleyan, where there was no football program, Harlan was on the move again.
“I missed football, figuring I had a better chance in the NFL than the NBA, so I transferred to Bacone, where I was able to play both sports my last two years of college,’’ he said.
After two days of work with his fellow rookies at Rams Park, Harlan is looking forward to being with the full squad when training camp resumes Friday afternoon.
“The last two days have been good for all of us, just getting a chance to work together again,’’ he said. “During the break, I went back to my high school and kept working out. I’m prepared physically and I’m also mentally focused. I can’t wait.’’
AUTOGRAPH SCHEDULE
Following is a rundown of schedule autograph scheduled through training camp (subject to change without notice):
Friday, offensive linemen
Saturday, defensive linemen
Sunday, running backs/wide receivers
Tuesday, quarterbacks/tight ends
Friday, Aug. 1, defensive backs
Saturday, Aug. 2, team autographs
Monday, Aug. 4, linebackers/specialists
Tuesday, Aug. 5, running backs/wide receivers
Monday, Aug. 11, quarterbacks/tight ends
Tuesday, Aug. 12, offensive linemen
Thursday, Aug. 14, defensive linemen
Tuesday, Aug. 19, defensive backs
Wednesday, Aug. 20, team autographs
RAM-BLINGS
• The Rams have a pair of rookies, safety Christian Bryant and defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks, on the non-football injury list. They count against the 90-man limit and can be activated at any time. Bryant, a seventh-round draft choice from Ohio State, is still working his way back after suffering a broken fibula and fractured ankle last fall in his Buckeye finale.
Westbrooks, a 6-foot-4, 267-pound defensive tackle from West Texas A&M, is dealing with a hamstring injury. He was the NCAA Division II defensive player of the year in 2012 after finishing with 28 tackles for loss and 19½ sacks.
• Wide receiver Jamaine Sherman hobbled off the field Wednesday with a left leg injury after a collision with fellow rookie Marcus Roberson. Sherman, an undrafted free agent from NCAA Division III East Texas Baptist University, caught 62 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns last fall. Because of a leg injury, the 6-foot-2, 188-pounder spent much of June’s practices working with trainers.
• A day after the Rams cut Abasi Salimu, the Cleveland Browns claimed him off waivers. Signed as an undrafted free agent after the NFL draft in May, Salimu is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle from Nicholls State.
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