The countdown rolls on and into the midway point of the sixties. We've got just 65 days left until football is upon us, so today let's look at a still-numberless newcomer who might just end up in the #65 jersey—Donté Harrington
#65, Donté Harrington, True Freshman, OL
Stats
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 300 lbs
High School: San Clemente High School, San Clemente, CA
How'd he get to the Blue™?
Harrington, who should be arriving on campus in the next day or so, was a late addition to the 2016 recruiting class—pledging his services late in January after a visit. Harrington had been committed (albeit briefly) to Army, but Scott Huff pitched riding the lightning over riding Humvees and Donté went blue and orange. The enormity of the flip was lost on some, but I'm here to tell you it was no small feat landing the mammoth lineman. Harrington, a 3-star recruit according to basically everyone, was tabbed as the #1 center in the state of California and the 3rd best in the west. Where'd that put him nationally? No lower than 13th and there are some BIG names (and bodies) in that top 10.
Harrington was a four-year starter at San Clemente, which is rare for that particular position group. He also led his team to a runner-up finish in the CIF Southwest Division as a senior, and at year's end was named first-team All-Sea View League, first-team All-CIF Southwest Division and first-team All-Orange County. As a junior, Harrington was also named to the All-CIF Southwest Division and All-Sea View League first teams and landed on the All-Orange County third team. And Harrington didn't just loom large on the field...he was a two-time recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award. Apart from his obvious Boise State and Army offers, big Donté fielded offers from the likes of Cal Poly, Colorado State, Idaho State, Navy, and New Mexico.
Nickname
"Big Pun"
He's a player and he crushes a lot.
Look-a-like
Former Bronco O-line standout Andrew Woodruff
Career Highlights
First-team All-Sea View League, first-team All-CIF Southwest Division and first-team All-Orange County as a senior in 2015. Named first-team All-Sea View League, first-team All-CIF Southwest Division and third-team All-Orange County as a junior in 2014. Two-time recipient of Scholar Athlete Award. 4-year letter winner.
2016 Prospectus
Even though Harrington already possesses the requisite girth for his position, the same redshirt rules apply. The big frosh is a near lock to don the redshirt and do battle solely on the practice field. Not that there's anything wrong with that—true freshman O-lineman are at the top of the "likeliest to redshirt" group year-after-year, and while the D-line is sure to see several of the noobs in action, the Broncos have the luxury of sitting this year's bumper crop of offensive lineman to ripen them for 2017.
Once ripened, however...look for Harrington to make major waves at BSU, and not just in the lineman belly flop competition. Harrington has the size part down and he's probably right where he needs to be to protect Brett Rypien (he gave up just one sack in his final two years of prep ball), but he also has that oh-so-important cerebral element as well. The stuff you saw players like Marcus Henry and Thomas Byrd praised for. There's no doubt in my mind that Harrington has the ability to be an All-MWC level performer for the Broncos, presumably at center. Watch the first minute or so of his highlight tape at the top of the page and you'll see why I'm swimming in optimism. Harrington moves amazingly well for a lad of his "carriage" and is an absolutely nasty blocker. Good times lay ahead.
Is he on Twitter?
San Clemente, CA ➝ Boise, ID pic.twitter.com/v9Cm89mYSN
— Donté Harrington (@dontescfb79) June 1, 2016
Yep, and it looks like he's bringing friends to the City of Trees
Completely made up fact
Donté spells his name with the acute accent over the "e". Most of the time this just means you pronounce it with a long "a" sound, but in Harrington's instance it means that you SHOUT it.