Backers of Oregon’s gun management Measure 114 declared a serious victory this week, however uncertainty lies forward with months of authorized wrangling and rule-making prone to delay the beginning effectively into subsequent 12 months, if ever.
State police, lawmakers and proponents should write the laws for the state’s first-ever permits to by a gun and work out how a lot the foundations will value to hold out.
In the meantime, no less than one Oregon sheriff has promised to not implement the ban on large-capacity magazines, whereas gun rights advocates are gearing as much as block the measure, arguing it violates their Second Modification proper to bear arms.
Voters narrowly handed the measure 51% to 49%, chalking up a momentous win within the nationwide motion to curb gun violence.
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Voters in seven counties thought-about among the state’s Democratic strongholds, together with Multnomah, Washington, Lane and Benton counties, handed the measure, whereas 29 of the state’s largely rural, conservative counties rejected it.
Its passage was the end result of a grassroots, interfaith push by Raise Each Voice Oregon that started shortly after the 2018 faculty taking pictures in Parkland, Florida, killed 17 college students and employees.
“We’re very humbled by this, nevertheless it wasn’t a victory over anyone. It was a victory for our youngsters that we are able to all have fun,” stated one of many chief petitioners, the Rev. Mark Knutson from Portland’s Augustana Lutheran Church.
Attorneys advising the Oregon Firearms Federation, the Second Modification Basis and different gun rights advocates disagree.
They’re making ready to ask a decide for a short lived restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the measure from taking impact till a decide can weigh if it meets constitutional muster.
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“The primary draft of our grievance has been written. We’re nonetheless including plaintiffs to the swimsuit, and we’ll be able to pounce,” stated Alan M. Gottlieb, founding father of the Second Modification Basis, primarily based in Bellevue, Washington.
The authorized panorama has modified considerably since supporters first drafted Measure 114. Courtroom challenges to one in every of its provisions, a ban on large-capacity magazines, are pending in neighboring California and Washington states.
The outcomes in these circumstances might present steerage to Oregon because the state drafts guidelines to place Measure 114 into follow, authorized observers say.
Whereas the passage of Measure 114 reveals the energy of the gun security motion proper now, it’s too early to inform if the legislation will survive constitutional scrutiny within the wake of the key U.S. Supreme Courtroom ruling in late June overturning a New York gun security legislation, stated Adam Winkler, a constitutional legislation professor at UCLA College of Regulation.
“There’s little doubt the U.S. Supreme Courtroom has declared conflict on gun security laws,” Winkler stated. “We don’t know which actual legal guidelines shall be upheld.”
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He suspects a part of Measure 114 could stand up to assessment, such because the transfer to require accomplished background checks earlier than a gun sale, however others could not, such because the ban of magazines that maintain greater than 10 rounds of ammunition.
“It’s going to be awhile,” Winkler stated, “earlier than this legislation goes into impact, if it ever does.”
Voters in seven counties which might be thought-about among the state’s Democratic strongholds, together with Multnomah, Washington, Lane and Benton counties, handed the measure, whereas the state’s 29 surrounding counties in largely rural, conservative bastions rejected it.OregonLive/ Oregon Secretary of State
WHEN DOES MEASURE 114 START?
It technically kicks in on Jan. 15, 30 days after certification of the vote on Dec. 15.
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But state police are prone to search an extension – which might final months — to permit time to hash out the gun allow system within the Legislature.
State police are “assessing the required processes” below the measure however can’t present particulars on any plans till there’s certification of the election outcomes, stated state police Capt. Kyle Kennedy, an company spokesman.
Underneath the measure, anybody who desires to purchase a gun should get a allow from a sheriff’s workplace, pay an anticipated payment of $65, full an permitted firearms security course at their very own expense, submit a photograph ID, be fingerprinted and cross a felony background test.
HOW WILL RULES BE WRITTEN?
Raise Each Voice Oregon committee members are conferring with state lawmakers and state police on establishing a Measure 114 committee and workgroup to put in writing the foundations on every part from the data sought on allow utility kinds to the kind of programs required for security coaching.
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The proponents’ objective is to have a committee that features a variety of stakeholders.
Different points to be determined: Whether or not state police want extra staff to compile a database of these granted permits and others who’re rejected; how a lot cash or employees county sheriffs’ places of work might want to deal with the allow course of and what assets are wanted to assist state police do further background checks for allow candidates.
“Once you do one thing as complete when it comes to a brand new process, it’s virtually unattainable to place all of it within the statute,” stated Liz McKanna, a member of Raise Each Voice Oregon’s legislative committee.
“A part of it’s we additionally need enter from the people who find themselves going to be administering the allowing course of,” she stated.
Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, who chairs the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, stated lawmakers nonetheless should work out a timeline and a course of to assign numerous payments referring to Measure 114 to completely different committees.
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Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, who chairs the Home Judiciary Committee, stated he’ll even be working with legislative counsel on subsequent steps to implement the measure.
No dates are set but.
WILL GUN SALES STOP?
Gun rights advocates contend the measure will halt gun gross sales as of Jan. 15 as a result of nobody can have a allow to purchase one.
Proponents of the measure stated that’s not true.
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“Gross sales won’t halt as a result of permits can’t be required till (Oregon State Police) develops the foundations and finalizes the standardized kind to use,’’ stated Anthony Johnson, a spokesman for the Measure 114 marketing campaign.
Salem-based legal professional Leonard Williamson, who has been a licensed firearms vendor for 20 years and helps advise gun rights teams, stays skeptical.
“They might consider that, however there’s no place in Measure 114 that claims that ‘till state police creates guidelines, that gross sales can proceed,’ ” he stated. “I’m not going to take an opportunity and violate the legislation as a result of I don’t need ATF or state police at my door.”
Johnson stated a legislative mandate or govt order might simply make it clear that the state gained’t prohibit gun gross sales whereas the allow guidelines are being drawn.
WHAT’S THE STATUS OF BACKGROUND CHECKS?
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State police now do a felony background test that’s required when somebody tries to purchase a gun from a federally licensed vendor.
Police will deny a sale if somebody is below 18, has a felony conviction or an arrest warrant for a felony.
Additionally they will reject gun patrons if they’ve been discovered responsible by cause of madness in a felony case, discovered incompetent to face trial or have been dedicated to a psychological well being establishment.
Measure 114 provides one other, stricter background test required earlier than somebody can acquire a allow to purchase a gun.
Underneath the measure, state police can deny permits to candidates if, for instance, they’re “fairly prone to be a hazard” to themselves or others due to their psychological or psychological state or have a “previous sample of conduct” involving violence or threats of violence.
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A allow is nice for 5 years. Gun house owners should bear the allow background test every time they renew their allow.
And every time they purchase a brand new gun after getting a allow, they need to bear the usual firearms felony background test.
Measure 114 additionally closes the so-called Charleston loophole by requiring {that a} background test be accomplished earlier than a gun is offered or transferred. Underneath federal legislation, a gun sale can happen if a background test isn’t accomplished inside three enterprise days.
Because the measure is written now, the requirement would go into impact Jan. 15, however state police could search a delay to be able to put together to deal with the added workload of allow background checks.
A number of gun store employees stated shops sometimes already watch for state police to complete a background test earlier than turning over a gun. One stated the present turn-around time for state police to finish background checks is three to 4 weeks.
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HOW ABOUT GUN TRAINING?
A county sheriff’s workplace, which now processes hid handgun licenses, would settle for functions and difficulty the permits to purchase weapons as soon as candidates cross a allow background test and meet different necessities.
These embody legislation enforcement-approved firearms coaching. Programs may very well be taken at a group school, firearms coaching faculty, non-public or public group or from legislation enforcement, the measure says.
The course should cowl a assessment of legal guidelines governing possession, buy, switch and use of firearms, secure storage, reporting of misplaced and stolen weapons, and the influence of homicides and suicides on households.
Folks additionally should display their capability to lock, load, unload, hearth and retailer a gun in entrance of a licensed firearms teacher.
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The principles-writing is anticipated to handle who can provide the programs and the curriculum.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES?
A number of employees at Portland gun outlets stated they don’t know what they’re going to do with the high-capacity magazines now of their stock. They doubted any large-capacity journal house owners would destroy them till any authorized challenges are heard.
Individuals who already personal larger-capacity magazines have 180 days from Jan. 15 to promote them to a licensed gun vendor or to somebody out of state or to destroy them.
After the 180 days, gun sellers can promote or switch solely newly manufactured high-capacity magazines marked with a particular stamp denoting they’re for navy or legislation enforcement use – two exceptions below the legislation.
One different exception: Individuals who already personal the magazines can maintain them in a personal dwelling, use them at a taking pictures vary or in a taking pictures competitors, or for searching when state searching legal guidelines permit.
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A test of gun outlets round Portland on Friday confirmed they have been doing brisk enterprise promoting rifles and weapons.
A number of employees stated they don’t know what they’re going to do with the high-capacity magazines now of their stock. They doubted any large-capacity journal house owners would destroy them till any authorized challenges are heard.
One questioned if producers would purchase them again. One stated they’d lowered their stock as a result of uncertainty. One other stated he knew that some gun outlets in California have saved a stash of their basements till the legislation will get ironed out.
Yet one more stated they’ve gotten no steerage from the sheriff or the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
CAN SHERIFFS IGNORE THE LAW?
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In Linn County, lower than 24 hours after the measure handed, Sheriff Michelle Duncan introduced her workplace “is NOT going to be imposing journal capability limits.”
She referred to as the measure poorly written and stated she hopes its passage will end in a right away lawsuit.
Duncan instructed The Oregonian/OregonLive that she issued the assertion as a result of her workplace has acquired calls from individuals who concern they’ll face felony prices in the event that they’re pulled over whereas driving and located with {a magazine} that holds greater than 10 rounds.
“I’m not on the market to attempt to search for their magazines and arrest anyone,’’ she stated.
Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen adopted swimsuit, saying his workplace gained’t implement what he referred to as “redundant background checks” and vowed to “combat to the demise” to defend gun house owners’ constitutional rights “it doesn’t matter what loopy legislation comes out of Salem!”
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Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber additionally this week stated he believes the measure presents an “unconstitutional restriction” on the correct to own weapons. He urged these with large-capacity magazines to take photographs and in any other case doc that they’d them earlier than Measure 114 takes impact.
Winkler, the UCLA legislation professor, stated sheriffs in Colorado and different states have taken related stands.
Sheriffs are elected so it’s not lifelike to take enforcement motion towards them, he stated.
Knutson, the Measure 114 petitioner, stated he’s reaching out to every county sheriff within the state to inform them he hears their considerations.
“We wish them to work with us to take advantage of simply and equitable legislation that works for everyone,” he stated. “I wish to get their finest considering.”
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Oregon Legal professional Common Ellen Rosenblum stated the state Division of Justice will assist state businesses perform the brand new legislation and can defend any lawsuits.
“We anticipate legislation enforcement to adjust to the legislation, together with imposing it,” stated Kristina Edmunson, Rosenblum’s spokesperson.
HOW MUCH TO ADMINISTER?
The Oregon State Sheriffs’ Affiliation estimated that it’ll value native sheriff’s places of work greater than $40 million the primary 12 months to rent employees and handle the executive allowing course of for an estimated 300,000 permits a 12 months.
The measure’s proponents have argued that many sheriff’s places of work already deal with the state’s hid handgun licensing program, so adopting the gun permit-to-purchase program gained’t be too completely different or demanding.
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For one, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Workplace is evaluating how the measure would possibly have an effect on its operations nevertheless it’s too early to know if it’ll want further employees or cash, stated company spokesperson Christina Kempster.
State police have estimated they would wish 38 extra positions to deal with the elevated workload.
The measure is anticipated to value each state and native governments $55 million within the first biennium and about $50 million for every successive biennium, in line with a state monetary influence committee. Native governments would stand up to $19.5 million yearly from allow charges primarily based on 300,000 functions a 12 months.
However the state committee famous “uncertainty within the assumptions” behind these estimates.
This shall be one other central query for the Legislature and the Measure 114 Committee to handle.
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WHAT’S UP WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT?
Opponents are hoping to dam the brand new gun management legislation earlier than it takes impact. They’re seeking to a brand new customary set by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom for evaluating Second Modification claims.
In a 6-3 ruling in June, the nation’s excessive courtroom struck down a New York legislation that positioned strict limits on carrying weapons outdoors the house. The courtroom’s majority directed decrease courts to make use of a brand new “text-and-history” customary when evaluating challenges to firearms laws.
Courts should decide whether or not “the Second Modification’s plain textual content” protects the conduct during which the plaintiff needs to have interaction, and if it does, then resolve if the regulation “is in keeping with this Nation’s historic custom of firearm regulation.”
It threw out a previous two-prong customary that courts had used for years: First, does the regulation infringe on somebody’s Second Modification proper of self-defense, and in that case, does the regulation additional an necessary authorities curiosity.
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Opponents of the measure are also buoyed by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom’s ruling weeks later vacatinga choice in a San Diego case that had upheld California’s practically equivalent ban to Oregon’s on magazines that maintain greater than 10 bullets.
The excessive courtroom despatched the case again to a decrease courtroom to rethink in gentle of its resolution within the New York case. Events within the California case have till subsequent spring to file additional authorized briefs.
California’s legal professional normal within the newest transient filed Thursday argues that nothing within the Second Modification textual content covers carrying large-capacity magazines.
The magazines aren’t “arms” as a result of they’re not important for working a gun they usually wouldn’t have been thought-about “arms” in 1791 or 1868, the transient says. And, even when they have been, they’re not generally used for self-defense, the transient says.
Attorneys for the Second Modification Regulation Middle counter that magazines holding greater than 10 rounds have a “lengthy historic lineage generally utilized by Individuals for lawful functions, like self protection” and have been “effectively established within the mainstream of American gun possession” lengthy earlier than restrictions arose within the late twentieth century.
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The questions and authorized maneuvering haven’t dampened the passion of supporters in becoming a member of Washington, D.C., and 14 different states which have enacted permit-to-purchase gun legal guidelines and 9 states and Washington, D.C., which have adopted legal guidelines banning large-capacity ammunition magazines.
“It will undoubtedly save Oregonians lives,” stated former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a mass taking pictures throughout an look at a Tucson grocery in 2011 and now leads a nationwide group devoted to gun security.
“I’m so grateful to the individuals of Oregon for paving the way in which for states throughout the nation.”
— Maxine Bernstein
Electronic mail mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212
Janelle Bynum’s journey to Washington, D.C., to begin her work as the U.S. representative for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District was a homecoming of sorts.
The Democratic former state lawmaker, who swam against a red wave in November to flip Oregon’s most competitive congressional district and make history as the state’s first Black member of Congress, grew up in D.C. She left the Beltway three decades ago, first to seek an engineering degree in Florida, then for a job at General Motors while she earned her master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan and finally for her husband’s home state of Oregon.
She had hoped to work as an electrical engineer in Oregon’s Silicon Forest, but employers weren’t hiring in the 2002 recession. So, Bynum and her husband, Mark, took over his mother’s McDonald’s franchise and raised their four children — and when she had the chance to set policy as a member of the state Legislature, she pushed for state investments in the high tech industry to ensure young people graduating from high school or college aren’t turned away like she was.
After winning a bruising campaign last fall against incumbent Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Bynum told the Capital Chronicle she’s looking for ways to make a difference for Oregon and find the “low-hanging fruit” on which Democrats and Republicans can agree.
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“I’ve always been an optimist and a person that would stare big challenges down, and I think just the success of my legislative career over the last eight years has proven that Number 1, I will always work across the aisle with my Republican colleagues, even when I don’t have to,” she said. “In this case, I do.”
Most people, she said, ultimately want the same thing — great schools for their kids, child care and good hospitals and doctors in their communities. She sees opportunities to work with Republicans on maternal health care, as research shows that babies born to healthy mothers are less likely to be premature or born with health problems and mothers with access to health care are less likely to die in childbirth.
And she hopes Republicans and Democrats can work together to reduce the ferocity of wildfires, like the Santiam Fire that burned a scar across her district in 2020 and all but wiped out the cities of Detroit and Gates. Congress is now sparring over disaster relief for California’s ongoing wildfires, with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, pushing for “conditions” on spending.
Bynum also wants to bring her personal experience to congressional conversations about the NCAA. Her older son, Ellis, is a running back for the Oregon Ducks, and she believes it’s important for student athletes to be represented and protected from people who would take advantage of them as sports betting grows in popularity.
Highs and lows
Bynum is one of two new congressional members from Oregon, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter representing the Portland-based 3rd Congressional District. Both took the oath of office on Friday, Jan. 3, a day Bynum said was exhilarating. She took her oath of office with her family watching and spent time meeting with colleagues with offices on her floor of the Capitol. But on Monday, when she spoke with the Capital Chronicle, she experienced a profound low, with news that Arizona, not Oregon, would receive the last of three semiconductor research hubs. It was a blow for the state’s economy, and it especially stung for Bynum, who led legislative efforts to draw federal funding to Oregon.
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The Biden administration opted to place its three research hubs from the $52 billion 2022 CHIPS Act in New York, Silicon Valley and Arizona, skipping Oregon’s Silicon Forest. The administration went on to announce this week that it would award $53 million to HP in Corvallis and $45 million for Oregon State University’s microfluidics research, but those grants are far below the level of federal investment Oregon lawmakers hoped the state would receive from being named a research hub.
“That center would have been an opportunity for us to grow the workforce, and opportunities that our students would have had to intern there and maybe potentially work there,” Bynum said. “So it was a huge missed opportunity for us, and I feel like I’m starting over from scratch again, screaming from the mountaintop like ‘Hey, these are good jobs. This is a good opportunity for our kids, and we have to invest in what we want,’ and we just missed the mark there. I’m bummed.”
That day, Jan. 6, was also the anniversary of an attempted insurrection at the Capitol led by supporters of President-elect Donald Trump trying to block Congress from certifying his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden. It was a somber day, Bynum said, with many of her colleagues clad in black to watch Vice President Kamala Harris certify her own loss to Trump.
“What I experienced in the electoral count acceptance was Vice President Harris exhibiting way more grace than was even fair to ask of her,” Bynum said. “She did her job. She put country over politics, and she did it with a very strong personal constitution. It was tough to watch.”
While she supported Harris and was disappointed in the results of the presidential election, Bynum said she’s open to working with Trump. She thinks they both believe in being disruptive because that’s how businesses advance and innovate.
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“What I stand firm on is not allowing him to be destructive,” Bynum said. “Destructive of our democracy, destructive of our families, destructive of our national integrity. That’s where I draw the line. And so where we want to be disruptive and shift the status quo in favor of working families and Americans, I’m willing to do that, but the destructive part, I’ll take a strong stance against that.”
Financial Services Committee
She’ll serve on her top pick of committee, the Financial Services Committee. During her first week in D.C., Bynum took her children on a tour of the White House and told them it wasn’t a coincidence that the Treasury Department is right next door.
She has always been interested in understanding how money moves through the economy, she said, and she wants to make sure that Congress provides the infrastructure and oversight to make sure money moves in a way that unleashes opportunity for families and gives everyone a fair deal.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California and the ranking member of the committee, said in a statement that she was pleased to welcome Bynum.
“Congresswoman Bynum has a strong track record of fighting to address the affordable housing crisis and lower rising costs for consumers and working-class families in Oregon,” she said. “I have no doubt she will draw on her background and expertise to continue this important effort and I look forward to working alongside her.”
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Throughout her eight years in the Legislature, Bynum was one of only a few Black members and frequently the only Black woman. In Congress, she’s part of a historic contingent of 67 Black lawmakers, 62 of whom, including Waters, are members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“It’s been interesting to be in a much more diverse workplace, I will say that, and it’s been interesting to not have to explain myself as much in D.C.,” Bynum said. “And so I think, on behalf of the kids of Oregon 5 and the residents, I think that I’ll be much more effective here.”
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
Joshua Gray is one of the most seasoned offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Oregon State prospect started 56 games during his time in Corvallis, with 44 of those starts coming at left tackle and 12 at left guard.
The battle-tested offensive linemen could be a Day 3 target for the Green Bay Packers and checks in at No. 96 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Gray came to Oregon State as a three-star recruit out of California and earned the starting left tackle job as a redshirt freshman in 2020. Following 44 straight starts at left tackle, Gray kicked inside to left guard for his final season as a Beaver.
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“Not only was Gray the best lineman on the roster for most of his extended stay at Oregon State, but he was also loyal to the program at a time when it needed leadership the most,” Carter Bahns, a reporter for 247sports, said. “When most of the team’s best players entered the transfer portal amid the coaching change and transition out of the traditional Pac-12, Gray returned for one final year and became a multi-year team captain. His blocking ability made him a star, but his intangibles made him an all-time Oregon State great.”
It’s no secret that NFL teams love offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and the Packers have had a ton of success turning college offensive tackles into all-pro caliber guards. While Gray never took a snap at center during a game, he is listed as center on the Shrine Bowl website and will likely get looks at center, guard and tackle during Shrine Bowl week in Texas.
“Most of Gray’s career came at the left tackle spot, where he was the most valuable piece of an offensive line that regularly ranked among the nation’s most elite units and Joe Moore Award contenders,” Bahns said. “His NFL projections favored him on the interior, though, so he moved to guard ahead of his final year at Oregon State. The Beavers put a premium on versatility and taught all of their offensive linemen to play multiple positions, and that aided Gray in thriving at the guard spot.”
Gray is a powerful run-blocker, who is aggressive with his hands to initiate contact. He plays with the right about of tenacity to bully defenders. The 56-game starter can move in space and looks nimble as a puller.
“Run blocking has always been Gray’s forte,” Bahns said. “Oregon State regularly boasted one of the nation’s best-rushing attacks throughout his career. His Pro Football Focus run blocking grade ranked No. 8 in the Pac-12 in 2021 and No. 3 in 2022.”
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Gray has seen it all. He is alert in pass protection and keeps his head on a swivel. He’s patient in his pass sets and uses a timely punch to get into the frame of rushers. According to PFF, Gray gave up one sack and 13 pressures while playing his new position at left guard this past season.
“What Gray lacks in that elite size NFL teams covet in their tackles, he makes up for in sheer athleticism and effort, and that shows in pass protection,” Bahns said. “He was a lockdown pass blocker on the blind side year after year because of his high motor, discipline and explosiveness.”
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay’s depth along the offensive line was tested during their Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Jordan Morgan already on injured reserve, the Packers had to first turn to Travis Glover after starting left guard Elgton Jenkins left the game with an injury. After the rookie flamed out, the Packers turned to Kadeem Telfort.
With Josh Myers headed for free agency, it’s a safe assumption that Brian Gutekunst will target an interior offensive lineman or two this offseason.
Gray likely isn’t somebody you want starting at left tackle on a full-time basis, but he could kick outside in a pinch and potentially offers five-position versatility.
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“Gray is a proven standout at multiple positions along the offensive line, who developed across a six-year career under one of college football’s most accomplished offensive line coaches in Jim Michalczik,” Bahns said. “He is about as refined and experienced as college linemen come. That, plus the fact that he is a model teammate and longtime captain, makes him a complete package who should make an impact early in his pro career.”
Brian Gutekunst has had success finding quality offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft with picks like Myers, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker Jon Runyan Jr.
With his versatility, experience, run-blocking prowess and football IQ, Gray could be high on Green Bay’s board when Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around.
Derrick Harmon made a huge move when he transferred to Oregon from Michigan State heading into the 2024 college football season.
Not only did Harmon get the opportunity to help Oregon win the Big Ten championship and earn the No. 1 seed for the College Football Playoff, he set up his future for an NFL career.
Harmon, a former standout at Detroit Loyola, was an afterthought for the 2025 NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season at Michigan State in 2023 when he got in on 40 tackles from his defensive tackle position, 3½ for lost yardage.
Well, Harmon turned into a star at Oregon, a reason he has declared for the NFL Draft, in which his name is now mentioned in the first round of multiple NFL mock drafts, including No. 17 (Cincinnati Bengals) by Yahoo! Sports and No. 16 (Arizona Cardinals) by CBS Sports. The Pro Football Network projects the 49ers to pick Harmon at No. 11 and has Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker (Detroit Cass Tech) headed to the Lions at No. 32.
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Walker was a second-team All-American in USA Today’s preseason rankings.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has Harmon No. 14 on his board, the No. 4 defensive linemen, saying: “He combines quickness with power to cause chaos for opponents.”
Yes, Harmon’s thick build and long arms and athleticism give him the ability to line up anywhere from 3-technique to nose tackle, making him versatile and valuable for the next level.
Harmon made the most of his one year at Oregon, getting in on 41 tackles, 10½ TFL and five sacks while forcing two fumbles and recovering two fumbles.
“I’ve seen it, not putting too much attention to it because a lot can change,” Harmon said of the mock drafts. “I know I still have a lot of work to do.”
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So, how impressive was Harmon?
Well, Harmon led the nation in total pressures from an interior defensive lineman with 55, 12 higher than the next-highest player.
One reason for Harmon’s breakout season was his ability to drop 30 pounds and play at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds after playing his final season at Michigan State at 340.
“Going to Oregon was really good for me,” said Harmon, who said he was filing his papers to declare for the draft Monday and was set to travel to Dallas to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine. “I had a good season, and we capitalized on a good season. I loved my team. I feel I improved by being more of a leader and I loved my pass-rushing ability too.
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“I left (Michigan) State just because I wanted a better opportunity. I feel I’ve always had good technique in the run game just from the coaches I’ve had previously so for me, so it was more tuning up the pass rush. Coach T (defensive line coach Tony Tuioti) and Coach Tosh (defensive coordinator Lupoi) are good coaches, Coach Tuioti taught me a lot about the run game, played a lot of different positions on the line from the 0 all the way to the 5, so all those techniques he was able to teach me to take to the league.
“At State I played at 6-5 and 340 and this year I played at 6-5 at 315, 320. I could tell the difference, more agile and just as strong.”
Harmon said beating Ohio State 32-31 in Eugene during the regular season was his highlight. He had three tackles, and a forced fumble which he recovered at the Buckeyes’ 28 to set up a touchdown.
Harmon still thinks of his days at Loyola, saying “Coach Cal (John Callahan) is a great coach, still coaching to this day (at Hazel Park). He just told me a lot about ball, and he told me I had potential to play at the college level and at the NFL level just like he told me he did with Malik McDowell before me, so that was cool.”
McDowell started his high school career at Loyola before moving on to Southfield, then playing at Michigan State before being picked in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Seahawks.
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High praise for Dante Moore
Former Detroit King standout quarterback Dante Moore started several games at UCLA as a true freshman in 2023 before transferring to Oregon.
Moore stood on the sidelines and watched Dillon Gabriel operate as the Ducks’ quarterback, becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist, completing 72.9% of his passes for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns (to just six interceptions). Oregon was 13-0 before a quarterfinal loss to Ohio State in the CFP.
When asked how Moore will perform next season with Gabriel using up his six years of eligibility, Harmon replied: “He’s going to be the truth. You can learn a lot sitting behind a Heisman finalist. Dante Moore is going to be a Heisman finalist next year. He’s that good.”
Moore was ranked No. 5 on CBS Sports listing of 16 players who will define the race for the 2025 national championship, saying Moore is “now the obvious choice to lead the explosive Will Stein’s offense,” and will be aided by receiver Evan Stewart, who announced Tuesday that he will return for ’25 season.
Former Belleville standout Bryce Underwood — the No. 1 recruit in the nation who signed with Michigan — was also among the 16 players listed by CBS Sports for those who will define the race for the national championship.
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