First Coyote drafted since 2014
When the Browns selected Harden in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Harden became the 17th player from South Dakota to be drafted to the NFL. He was also the first Coyote to be drafted since Tyler Starr was drafted by the Falcons in 2014.
Suffered two season-ending injuries during collegiate career
Harden endured two season-ending injuries in college while at South Dakota — the first in 2021 and the second in 2022 — and overcame both of those injuries to finish out his collegiate career.
His sophomore year, Harden started five of the first six games of the season in 2021 before he suffered a broken leg that ended his season. He came back for the 2022 season, but then sustained a foot injury in the six game that ended his junior season.
2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award semifinalist
After sustaining a season-ending foot injury in the sixth game of the 2022 season, Harden came back for 2023 and excelled. He was named a semifinalist for the National Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023 and was one of two FCS players to be named a semifinalist.
Harden finished the 2023 season with 58 tackles, one fumble recovery, seven passes defended and one interception in 13 games. He tied the team lead with seven passes defended, including one interception and six pass breakups. He was also the team’s fifth-leading tackler and was a part of a secondary that finished 18th nationally in passing yards allowed.
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