Since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anton Harrison has cemented himself as one of the team’s most reliable players.
He immediately solidified the right tackle spot, providing franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence much-needed protection.
Harrison has played in 48 of 51 games since joining the NFL, starting every game in which he has played.
During the offseason, the Jaguars picked up the first-round selection's fifth-year option.
Here are five things to know about Anton Harrison.
1. Anton Harrison was born on a unique date
Harrison was born on Feb. 2, 2002. Written another way, he was born on 02-02-02. Or, if you'd like to make it a palindrome, 2-02-02.
Feb. 2 also is famously Groundhog Day. That morning in 2002, Punxsutawney Phil emerged at Gobbler's Knob
and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
The day after Harrison was born, Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl title when the Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI. Brady won a total of seven championships before Harrison's sophomore year of college ended.
2. Anton Harrison was a force in our nation’s Capital
Harrison was born in Washington, D.C., and he attended Archbishop Carroll High School there.
As a senior, he was listed at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. Harrison was selected to play in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game.
Aside from football, he also played on the school’s basketball team. Notably in Jan. 2018, as a sophomore who had played with the JV hoops team just two weeks prior, Harrison joined the varsity squad and led them to an 82-68 win over Friendship Tech High Prep Academy in the DMV Winter Classic. Harrison scored 24 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and was named the MVP.
All of a sudden, football wasn't the only sport where Harrison was garnering attention.
3. Harrison stuck with football, chose Oklahoma
Coming out of Archbishop Carroll High, Harrison had football offers from major programs like Penn State, Oklahoma and Maryland.
Maryland also gaged his interest in playing both basketball and football for the Terps.
Ultimately, Harrison stuck with football and chose Oklahoma.
He played offensive tackle for three years for the Sooners, from 2020-22. During this time he reached a playing weight around 310 pounds.
He appeared in 34 games for the Sooners, nine as a freshman, 13 as a sophomore and 12 as a junior.
He declared for the NFL Draft following his junior campaign.
4. The Jaguars traded down twice before selecting Anton Harrison
The Jaguars were in need of a right tackle heading into the 2023 NFL Draft following the departure of Jawaan Taylor, who signed with the Chiefs in free agency.
The Jaguars had the 24th pick in the first round of the 2023 draft, but they traded the No. 24 pick to the Giants in exchange for the No. 25 pick, a fifth-round pick (No. 160), and a seventh-round pick (No. 240).
The Jaguars then traded the No. 25 pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the No. 27 pick, as well as a fourth-round pick that ended up being No. 130.
Finally, at No. 27, the Jaguars selected Harrison.
5. Jaguars picked up Anton Harrison’s fifth-year option, giving him a big payday
After being drafted, Harrison was signed to a rookie contract that was for four years and worth $13,198,521, with a fifth-year option in place.
The Jaguars exercised that option in April 2026, giving him a fully guaranteed fifth-year for the 2027 season worth $19,072,000.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars right tackle Anton Harrison was born on unique date
