Here is everything Houston Texans defensive end Sabastian Harsh said following the release of the initial 53-man roster, including the role his former college head coach had in his NFL journey, whether or not he is changing his number and his relationship with fellow rookie Kayden McDonald.
Question: On trying to make an impact in the last preseason game
Sabastian Harsh: “I was struggling with a little bit of an injury from that first preseason game, so I wasn't in for that. I kind of already knew that that was kind of like my last shot, those two last preseason games. I thought it was really important to try and go out there, go as hard as I can every single play. At the end of the day, I have no regrets.”
Q: On what he has learned from Defensive Line/Defensive Run Game Coordinator Rod Wright
Harsh: “I think just his mindset, being relentless every single day, whether it's how you attack the game mentally and physically. Spiritual side of the game, just getting closer with my faith too. I think just having him as a coach and being a leader for us in the defensive line room, it's probably one of the best things I could ask for.”
Q: On how much playing offense in high school has helped him as a defensive end
Harsh: “It's kind of weird to explain but say maybe I've noticed there's a little bit more space on the inside gap and I might be able to bait that guy into running into the gap that I want him to. I think just kind of understanding what the mindset is of someone who's running the ball, someone who's throwing the ball, you might be able to pick up on maybe a hunch or an instinct on where they might step too.”
Q: On how his effort has carried him from being a walk-on in college to the NFL
Harsh: “I think at the end of the day, no matter what, one thing coaches should never have to ever harp on is effort. You can be intentional with how you are and be precise. If you're not trying your hardest every single time you're on the field, none of that stuff really matters. I think them emphasizing that right from the very beginning- that is our standard. That's who we are. I think that was the one thing that stuck out to me from the very beginning.”
Q: On being in a talented defensive line room
Harsh: “In our room, we have guys that are so knowledgeable about not only the position, but even just the game, how it works, the flow of the game, how you need to pick up intensity on the back end of the game, that kind of thing. I think just being able to ask Will [Anderson Jr.] and Danielle [Hunter] questions, ‘D-Horton’ [Dylan Horton], ‘D-Rob’ [Dominique Robinson], ask all those guys questions about how they see the game at a certain position, or whether it's a certain look on the offense that they're giving us. I think it's just amazing to be in that room and that anything I need to ask them, I have a full encyclopedia on everything, like hundreds, thousands of different reps that they've taken. I couldn't be more thankful and more grateful for those guys.”
Q: On how much of a role former Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl has had in his journey
Harsh: “He was kind of the first coach that ever gave me a chance. I had no Division I offers coming out of high school. I had a couple of D2s, but [Wyoming Head] Coach [Craig] Bohl, he talked to me and we kind of set up a deal. Come over here and if you do everything the right way, school-wise and on the football field, we'll give you a scholarship and I think I can turn you into a really good man. I fully trusted him, took him up on that offer and he was a man of his word. After five years there and even after his retirement too, we still talk. He'll send me a text here and there and congratulate me. I think just having him as kind of that first person to kind of give me that chance, I'll always be really thankful for him.”
Q: On whether he would wear No. 74 or No. 54
Harsh: “For a second, I was kind of thinking to just stay with number 74, kind of as a reminder to keep working. But even the equipment room guys were like, ‘Nah, man, not for an edge, you can't have that’. I was like, ‘Alright.’ I think just being able to get back in my old college number, it feels really comfortable and I think my parents really like it too. They like it probably the most.”
Q: On the defensive line room being intimidating
Harsh: “I can see how it would be really intimidating. At the very start, it was. I'm seeing these guys and I'm just coming into this new system. I'm a rookie, I don't know anything. I was just kind of trying to grab onto their coattails and take a ride with them. They're these huge guys, huge names. I think at the end of the day, just trying to do my best to emulate what they do. If they crush it on the edge, I'm going to go and do my stuff and then crush it on the edge. I think they set really high standards in the room. It doesn't matter if you're scout or what. [Head] Coach [DeMeco Ryans] wants it done the same way every single time. I think Danielle and Will, they do a really good job of staying on guys about doing stuff the right way.”
Q: On his relationship with DT Kayden McDonald and the acceptance of the defensive line room
Harsh: “I think that is such an awesome thing, especially being super far from home. I'm sure Kayden can attest to it, coming from Ohio State. It's kind of like you're going into a whole new thing and you don't really know anybody. It's kind of awesome to know that you have a brotherhood in that room, people who really care about you more than just what you're doing on the football field. We're that close to where, in the room, if something's going on, we can talk to each other about it. We're not scared to talk about our feelings or something that might be going on at home. I think just to have something like that, it's even more important because it makes you play even harder for them when you're on the field. I think that part is really important.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans DE Sabastian Harsh said after making the initial 53-man roster