Sabastian Harsh: Path To The NFL Draft

By Simon Carroll

The path to collegiate and professional athletic success is rarely smooth, often marked by unexpected turns, debilitating injuries, and moments of profound self-doubt. For Sabastian Harsh, that journey was less a smooth ascent and more a relentless series of trials that tested his physical limits and mental fortitude – but an unrivalled work ethic saw him past each challenging moment. The former NC State edge rusher sits down with Simon Carroll to discuss his path to the NFL Draft:

Master of the Mat

Located in the remote Great Plains region of the Western panhandle of Nebraska, Scottsbluff is a small city home to approximately 14,000 people. Growing up just thirty minutes from the Wyoming border, Sabastian Harsh was active as a child, initially immersing himself in a sport synonymous with the region:

“The funny thing is, football wasn’t my main focus early on. I have two older brothers and a younger sister, and our family was big into wrestling! All of us wrestled, even my sister – my dad was my coach on the mat from the age of four years old. And I excelled at it – I was getting a lot of first places at the tournaments I went to. But my freshman year of high school I had a growth spurt. In one summer, I gained six inches and 60 pounds out of nowhere. It was harder for me to make the weight cut in wrestling, so from that moment on it was all about football, and I fell in love with it.”

Most bigger, stronger kids eventually find their way to football, a natural evolution synonymous with growing up in any part of America. But despite a later entry to the sport, Harsh was able to use a lot of what he’d learned on the mat on the gridiron:

“Some of the key aspects of wrestling translate to football. You must be explosive, have really strong back muscles, flexible loose hips, and understand balance and momentum. Whether it be Roman Greco where you can’t touch the legs or freestyle, the key components of strength and leverage are the same as for football. When you’re on the line of scrimmage and those guys opposite are way bigger than you, I can lean on my knowledge from wrestling to figure out ways around them.”

Harsh embraced every aspect of football, a prerequisite when growing up in a rural area of the country. Encouraged on by his father at every opportunity, Harsh took advantage of the low roster numbers to see playing time in every possible way:

“My dad was probably my biggest sporting influence. He was also my football coach until middle school, and had me and my brothers doing everything; catching the ball, throwing the ball, learning how to tackle. Our town is in the middle of nowhere in West Nebraska, and the high school was small. So once I got there, they needed everyone on the field as much as possible. And I loved it – I did everything from quarterback to linebacker to place kicker. But no matter the role, I used that wrestling mentality of ‘it’s me versus you, and I’m going to do my job’.”

Early Adversity

@maxpreps Counted the yardage from where he kicked it in the endzone. #punt #football #save #punter #footballtiktok #kick #boom #specialteams #nebraska ♬ original sound - derrekharris

Sabastian Harsh took that all-encompassing outlook to Scottsbluff High School, where he starred in all three phases of the game. A natural at outside linebacker, he also was the Bearcats’ dual-threat quarterback, tallying 4,651 yards of offense over three seasons. Not done there, he assumed punt duties; and in one state championship game picked up a loose snap and booted the ball EIGHTY-FIVE YARDS to flip the field. Harsh was a playmaker no matter what role you gave him. And yet, when it came to college recruiting, fate wasn’t kind to the do-it-all phenom:

“Recruiting is all about selling yourself, no matter how highly ranked you are coming out of high school. And I didn’t realise I should have been posting my highlights on Hudl or showcasing myself on social media. I had just had an ACL injury in basketball season which didn’t help, but I hadn’t had any Division 1 offers by that point. I started doubting myself; I had all these stats, six touchdowns in a game, but nothing was happening in recruiting. Aside from a couple of FCS offers all I had was the opportunity to walk on at Wyoming or Nebraska.”

Considering the production, Harsh would have been forgiven for feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he headed 200 miles west to the University of Wyoming in Logan, which would be home for the next five years. The first of those years would not be easy:

“Looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. But at the time, it was tough. I was looking around at the other guys all on scholarship, and there I was just trying to work on myself, rehab my ACL as a freshman and stay as focused as possible. It was COVID too which made it even tougher. So I was playing catchup from the start. But you just have to block out the doubt. Sport challenges you – there were times on the mat you thought you were going to die but had to push through. So I brought the same mindset to the football field.”

Despite the tough start, Harsh worked his way onto the football field. But sport can be cruel, and just as things seemed to be coming together, the eager edge rusher would endure more adversity:

“That sophomore season I was finally healthy, but not really ready to contribute as a linebacker. But I had the opportunity to play on all the special teams, which considering my start felt like a big jump for me. I was starting to love the game again, and get my confidence back, and of course the coaches really appreciated the work I’d put in and I finally earned my scholarship. I was feeling good, came back that next year and won the starting job – and then four days before the first game I was supposed to start, I ended up breaking my patella bone. A clean fracture of the kneecap on a non-contact drill. One moment I’m preparing for Illinois, the next I’m back to square one. It was heartbreaking.”

Bouncing Back

Working your way back from one season-ending injury below the age of 20 is one thing. For it to happen twice before you’ve truly established yourself on a football team is a level of misfortune that would test the resolve of many young student-athletes. But Sabastian Harsh was made of stern stuff, with a mental robustness and dedication to hard work that had been ingrained in him since he was a child. Instead of allowing himself to be defeated, Harsh took the injury challenge head on once more:

“I had no choice but to take it day by day. Control the controllables, embrace more rehab, take it one step at a time and stack those days. I still had a point to prove. I hadn’t made it yet; I knew everything I did in training, every little thing would add up and help when I got back on the field. If it got harder the next day, that was just the way it was – I would do what needed to be done.”

A laser-focused approach to recovery saw Harsh return to the football field in 2023, his first real taste of action as a starter on defense. All the toil to get to that moment paid off spectacularly, as the edge rusher played a lead role in a big season for Wyoming. The Cowboys went 9-4 in Craig Bohl’s final year in charge, the most wins in a season in Logan since 1996. Harsh himself would play in every game, racking up 50 tackles, nine TFL’s and three sacks and enjoying wins over ranked opponents in Fresno State and Texas Tech:

“That 2023 season was like nothing I’d ever felt before. Coming back from the injuries and being a big contributor on the team, it was so rewarding. You practice so hard for 12 games a season, and for me I’d done even more – I’d spent two of my three years at Wyoming recovering from injury and working my tail off to be able to help my team. And to be able to play like that made it even sweeter, because through the rehab you know what you’re working towards, but you don’t know how it will go when you get there. I was anxious, but the hard work paid off. And for me, that proof of concept made me reload for 2024.”

Sabastian Harsh had arrived. Doubling down on his breakout year he posted similar numbers the following season, establishing himself as one of the best edge rushers in the Group of Five despite Wyoming struggling in Jay Sawvel’s first year at the helm. Harsh had justified the Cowboys’ faith in his talent, and had a huge decision to make that offseason.

Into the Portal, Onto the 'Pack

With just one year of eligibility remaining, Sabastian Harsh took the decision to jump into the transfer portal after the 2024 season. It wasn’t an easy choice to make, but with first-hand knowledge that there were no guarantees in football, the opportunity to test himself further proved hard to resist:

“I agonised on that decision. But ultimately, I believed in my heart that I could go up a level and compete. I love to compete; even when I was competing with myself through rehab, just embracing the challenge and hitting goals. I knew I’d have to re-earn a starting spot, which I relished. And I understood it was now or never; I had one more year at this. I didn’t want to finish my college career and wonder if I could have played Power 4 football.”

A fairly new introduction to college football, the transfer portal has allowed free movement between schools for student athletes. Motivations for finding a new home vary from case to case, but with legal challenges and drawn out legislation, there isn’t much in the way of guardrails. Despite the chaos, Harsh found himself pulled 1,700 miles across the country for the next chapter of his career:

“The portal is pretty scary. I entered a little late and had to wait a while for an offer, as I’d just had a scope to clean up any remaining scar tissue in my knee. And NC State were the first school to offer; Coach Doeren is a special guy, and he and Coach Thunder [Dantonio Burnette, Director of Strength & Conditioning] made me feel so welcome. They had a plan for me, and really wanted me. Obviously it was a big move too, because Wyoming was only two hours away from home and my family wouldn’t be there if I needed them like before. But my brother was in the Marines in North Carolina, and the city of Raleigh is awesome. I was so grateful to Wyoming, but it was time for a new chapter, and NC State felt perfect.”

The recent changes to collegiate sports have allowed student-athletes to be compensated for the first time. Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) and Revenue Sharing are two income streams that can affect decision making when it comes to committing to a school, and whilst it wasn’t the primary factor for Sabastian Harsh, it certainly had it’s benefits:

“Obviously being a walk on as a freshman, I had student loans that needed to be paid for. My parents, they were paying for that out of their own pocket. Once I got on scholarship at Wyoming I got a stipend, which allowed me to start paying off the debt month by month. But of course, a school like Wyoming in the Mountain West, they don’t have any crazy NIL schemes or RevShare, and paying off the money was going really slow. So I won’t pretend that money wasn’t a factor in my decision making; it was. It wasn’t for fancy cars or jewellery, and it wasn’t the main reason. But NIL today gives student athletes opportunities that previous guys didn’t have, and I was grateful to be in a position to get straight.”

Physical Development

Entering his sixth season of college football, Sabastian Harsh might have thought he’d seen it all. But he quickly found that football at North Carolina State University was a level higher than he was used to in every aspect, not just on the field. And by the time Week 1 of the 2025 season rolled round, the Sabastian Harsh that was terrorising teams in the Mountain West was totally unrecognisable from the one about to make an impact on the Atlantic Coast:

“As soon as I got there, Coach Thunder made a huge emphasis on my conditioning. I thought I was locked in on my body at Wyoming, but I had no idea. In the MWC I could line up at the 4i at 240 lbs and compete against guys who were 285 lbs. In the ACC, you’re up against 6’7”, 330 lb monsters. That offseason I gained something stupid like 22 pounds, and since then my body has remained at about 265. I never realised how much stress I was putting on my frame before. But once I was at NC State, everything mattered; diet, nutrition, weight room, recovery. Like with everything else, I just won each day and added so much muscle.”

2025 was the Wildcat’s thirteenth season with Dave Doeren at the helm. In that time NC State have won 95 football games, unprecedented compared to previous eras in the school’s history. Despite that, Doeren’s reign there never seems to get the respect it deserves; a school routinely in the mix for a conference title and often upsetting much bigger and better-resourced programs was once again competitive, winning eight games and going to their eleventh bowl game in twelve years. For his part, Harsh looked perfectly in place at his new home, racking up 41 tackles, 7.5 TFL’s and 2.5 sacks. His 42 pressures last season rank amongst the most in all of college football, and Harsh was happy with how his one year in Raleigh panned out:

“We were two games away from going to the ACC championship. And like Coach said himself, we beat ourselves in those games. But I was so happy with the decision to go to NC State. Playing in that atmosphere, rising to the occasion and levelling up, it vindicated all the hard work through the adversity. Sure, I would have loved ten sacks, but the numbers maintained from Wyoming, which showed I could compete at that level. And to ride with those boys for the season was a real privilege.”

Here on Merit

Three years ago, Sabastian Harsh was coming off the second big injury of his young career. Any NFL aspirations must have seemed a pipe dream at that point, but now it’s a very real opportunity for the explosive edge rusher. Invited to the American Bowl All-Star game, Harsh embraced being out of his comfort zone in his pursuit of making it to the pro’s:

“It was an eye-opening experience. I had no idea what to expect when I got there, but I was pleased with how quickly I had to adapt and learn the scheme. You’ve got a whole new set of teammates to learn and work with, and you’re practising hard in front of scouts and showing them your demeanour on every rep, trying to pay attention to your technique and footwork, and bringing an edge with your physicality. Being coachable was key for me too – being told once and picking it up. I was pleased with how I did out there.”

Considering the production the last three years, perhaps the interest in Harsh from NFL scouts only came as a surprise to the edge rusher himself. From the outside looking in, Harsh’s tape brings a lot of traits NFL teams covet, but the draft prospect’s humility is refreshing. The American Bowl seems to have been a reminder that he’s earned his place in this process:

“When I headed to NC State, it was purely a college football decision. Obviously playing in the NFL is a childhood dream, but only at the end of this season did I start to think about that. So when I got to the American Bowl I expected to maybe talk to two or three scouts. But I ended up talking to the majority of the teams! And it gives me even more motivation to chase this opportunity, going in there not expecting much and coming out feeling like there’s real interest in me. It reminds you I’m here on merit, and I’ll maximise every resource to make it to the league.”

Something sometimes lost in draft season are the causes the All-Star games support. In it’s inaugural year, the American Bowl invited former combat veterans who are looking for a career in coaching or scouting to work alongside professional coaches at the event, helping them develop their skills for future careers. With family members in military service, it was a cause that Sabastian Harsh felt a deep connection with:

“That was pretty awesome. Just talking to them about their journey and my own family’s contribution to the military was a privilege. Their stories are incredible; I’m sure there’s plenty my own brothers have never shared, the tough times that they have to fight through to help protect our country. I’m blessed to be here and just play football, and have a lot of gratitude for people who sacrifice for us. To see them working alongside NFL coaches was rewarding.”

"I Don't Know What Quit Means"

With the American Bowl in the rear view mirror, Sabastian Harsh turns all his attention to his upcoming pro day. NC State are yet to set a date for Harsh to return to Raleigh and showcase his athleticism. But if you think that has stopped the emerging edge rusher from getting ready to show out, you haven’t been keeping up; if there is a daily grind to be had, Harsh is the first in line to embrace it:

“I’m looking forward to showing them my speed. I’m still that explosive edge rusher even at 265 lbs, and that combination of speed and strength is how I get that pressure on the quarterback. But not just straight-line speed either; I’m loose and can move, and that athleticism means I’m versatile. I played three-tech, six-tech, wide nine, off-ball linebacker this past season, and I can be that Swiss Army knife for an NFL defense – line me up wherever you want, I’m going to get into that backfield.”

The pre-draft process is a slog for most draft prospects, yet Sabastian Harsh’s permanent smile tells me that he’s never enjoyed himself more. Many will view four months of relentless training with trepidation, but Harsh has been here before. The value of hard work is nothing new to him, and will stay with him should an NFL team take a chance on him:

“They’d be getting one of the hardest workers they’ve ever known. I’ve been through a lot of adversity, and so hard work is nothing new to me. Every time I’ve been down there was only one answer to get back on top again, and that was hard work. Whatever it takes to get the job done, I’ll do it – I don’t know what the word quit means. Being dependable to me means giving 100% in everything you do. I’ve learned the benefits of that – I enjoy the fight.”

The ferocity with which you see Sabastian Harsh explode from the line of scrimmage on gameday is a complete juxtaposition to the mild, polite character who spared thirty minutes of his time to share his story. Not many NFL prospects have dreams of one day owning some farmland and growing potatoes, but once football is finished with Sabastian Harsh it’s a career that appeals to him. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised; a humble, quiet lifestyle that embraces hard work and persistence seems to be the perfect metaphor for a young man who has already manifested that throughout his football life. But before then, he’s keen to make use of those hard earned skills on the gridiron on Sundays:

“If I get a call on draft weekend I would cry. I can’t deny it! Where I’m from, there’s only one other person who’s made it to the NFL; that’s Garrett Nelson, and he’s still there today. That’s an inspiration for me – I want to be the second person from Scottsbluff to be in the league, a town that has cheered me on through it all. And my family, what they did for me and my career, travelling to Wyoming to watch me play football and helping me through the early days financially. My dad who coached me since I was four and instilled that fight and drive in me from the start, it would be a true blessing to be able to show them I didn’t take that support for granted. Any NFL team that gives me the chance will get everything I’ve got in return.”

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, IS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRITER FOR DAZN AND COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION.

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A huge thank you to Sabastian for taking the time to talk to us. Everyone at The Touchdown wishes him well in his future career.