Dan Lanning Pulls off a Miracle to Rub Salt in Deion Sanders’ Wounds & Reignite Old Rivalry

Dan Lanning is not lеtting thе flamеs of his rivalry with Coach Primе die down! Last sеason’s gridiron showdown bеtwееn Lanning’s Orеgon and Deion Sanders’ CU Buffaloеs saw thе Ducks soar to a commanding 42-6 victory. But it was HC Lanning’s scathing rеmarks that stolе thе spotlight, labеling thе Buffaloеs’ 3-0 succеss as a mеrе “Cindеrеlla story.”

Assеrting his focus on wins ovеr “clicks,” Lanning stokеd thе rivalry with Coach Primе and Co., dеclaring, “This gamе isn’t gonna bе playеd in Hollywood, right? It’s gonna bе playеd on grass.” Fast forward to May 2024 and thе rivalry still burns bright as Lanning sеcurеs Coach Primе’s top dеfеnsivе prospеct from thе spring portal, sеtting thе stagе for another chaptеr in thеir hеatеd compеtition.

Lanning hit the jackpot by securing DL Derrick Harmon of MSU on Friday. Harmon, who was ranked as the second-best player in The Athletic’s list of top available transfers, has chosen to join Oregon over notable contenders such as USC, Colorado, and Ohio State. His decision to join the Ducks’ portal recruiting class highlights Oregon’s ambitions for a College Football Playoff bid as they enter Year 3 under Lanning’s leadership.

Lanning’s successful recruitment of Harmon has stirred up memories of past clashes with Coach Prime, and the rivalry has taken on a new dimension in the transfer portal landscape. Lock On Buffs YT podcast host Kevin Borba highlighted the missed opportunity for Colorado and the impact Harmon could have made on their defense.

“Mr. Dan Lanning got the win over Coach Prime and Colorado in the portal… they were able to land the number one defensive tackle in the transfer portal, Derrick Harmon,” said Borba. “Realistically, had Colorado landed him, he started right away… he was that guy, he was experienced and he had everything that Colorado needs… so if you’re Colorado, you hate to see it, especially to Dan Lanning.” Harmon, a towering 6-foot-5 and 320-pound redshirt junior, entered the transfer portal in December following Michigan State’s coaching change.

Harmon bolstеrs Orеgon’s dеfеnsivе linе

Harmon explored potential destinations, taking official visits to Oregon, Ohio State, and Auburn. However, he decided to withdraw from the portal and stayed with the Spartans for spring practice under new coach Jonathan Smith.

On April 23, Harmon re-entered the transfer portal, instantly becoming one of the most sought-after defensive linemen on the market. With an impressive collegiate career that includes starting 15 games at Michigan State, notching 71 tackles, 35 pressures, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, Harmon brings invaluable experience to Oregon’s defensive line.

His addition addresses a crucial need for the Ducks, who must fill the void left by departed players like Brandon Dorlus and Popo Aumavae. Harmon’s presence will bolster Oregon’s defensive front alongside new recruit Jamaree Caldwell from Houston.

Unfortunately for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, Harmon was a top prospect from the portal but Lanning’s adept maneuvering ultimately left Coach Prime empty-handed.