When you sit down with Duron Harmon, you’re reminded that football is about more than wins and losses—it’s about lessons, discipline, and legacy. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and a proud Rutgers alum, Harmon has lived at the intersection of grit and greatness. And now, as he transitions from player to mentor and coach, his story is as much about giving back as it is about personal success.
For Harmon, the game—and life—are about giving your all, regardless of fear.
“Don’t be afraid to put your all into it,” he says. “A lot of people are afraid to put everything into something because they’re always thinking, what if I fail? Well, the thing is, you’ll never know unless you try. We can’t let fear dictate how we operate.”
It’s the same mindset that fueled his rise from Rutgers to the NFL. Today, he’s passing that philosophy on to the next generation, encouraging young athletes to dream bigger than they thought possible.
Harmon doesn’t shy away from crediting Rutgers for molding him.
“If it wasn’t for Rutgers, who knows where I would’ve been,” he reflects. “It was an amazing experience—humbling. That’s where I learned how to become a man.”
As the Scarlet Knights rebuild under Greg Schiano, Harmon sees real potential. Citing Bill Belichick’s famous line—“You can’t win until you keep from losing”—he believes Rutgers is close to turning the corner.
“They had games last year that slipped away. With a veteran quarterback now in his second year in the system, I think this is the season they take that step forward. I’m excited to see it.”
Few players can say they’ve been coached by both Greg Schiano and Bill Belichick, but Harmon experienced both—and thrived.
“The one thing both had in common: work,” Harmon says. “At Rutgers, we prided ourselves on outworking people. Going to New England, that mindset was already there. You don’t become the greatest coach—or the greatest quarterback—without putting the work in.”
That work ethic went beyond football. “Both places instilled values I still carry today—being a businessman, a husband, and a father. The lessons weren’t just about football. They were about life.”
Harmon beams with pride when talking about New Jersey football. He knows firsthand the talent packed into the state’s tight borders.
“Jersey is slept on,” he says. “But when you look at player-per-square-mile, it’s up there with the best. I’ve coached incredible kids in my 7-on-7 league—McKeon Heller, Phoenix Edmonds, Taj Gray, Lamar Best. The talent is here.”
And the track record proves it: Rutgers ranks among the top schools producing NFL players who last beyond three years.
As someone who’s played and scouted talent at the highest level, Harmon weighs in on the age-old debate.
“The SEC has the bigger, faster, stronger athletes,” he says. “But the Big Ten—maybe I’ll get some heat for this—they’re a little more well-coached, more NFL-ready schematically. It depends on what kind of player you are. Are you that physical freak who thrives on raw talent? Or do you need the schematics and coaching to maximize your skills? Either way, the path is there.”
Now based in Georgia, Harmon coaches his sons and inspires youth athletes to embrace the grind without losing balance. He admires the passion of southern football culture but also stresses versatility:
“Kids need breaks. They need to play different sports. It all translates. But whatever you do—put your all into it.”
That message, rooted in his own journey, defines Duron Harmon today. He’s not just a Super Bowl champion. He’s a mentor, a motivator, and a living reminder that discipline and faith in your dreams can take you further than fear ever will.
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