Myles Harden Bio
Myles Harden is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 13, 2001, in Miami Gardens, Florida, he played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 227th overall pick. Harden wears jersey number 26 for the Browns and has established himself as a promising young defensive player following a standout collegiate career marked by All-American honors.
Early Life and Background
Myles Harden grew up in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he first tried football at age eight after initially playing basketball. He attended Miramar High School in Florida, where he played both football and track and field. Harden was a three-year varsity letter-winner on the football team after being called up from the junior varsity as a sophomore. As a junior, he received honorable mention All-County honors, and as a senior he totaled eight interceptions while being named All-County. He helped Miramar win a district title and was invited to the Dade vs. Broward County All-Star Game.
Despite his strong high school performance, Harden received little attention as a recruit. He ultimately enrolled at the University of South Dakota as a zero-star prospect, where he would develop into one of the top cornerbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Path to Professional Football
Harden arrived at the University of South Dakota in 2020 with the intention of playing at the collegiate level. The 2020 season was postponed to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in his debut, he made an immediate impact by totaling four tackles, two interceptions, and two pass deflections. He started four games and recorded 16 tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions for the season. Harden led the nation in pass defended per game and was named honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), to the All-MVFC newcomer team, and freshman All-American by HERO Sports.
Despite facing challenges with injuries in subsequent seasons, Harden’s determination remained evident. His fall 2021 season ended six games in due to a leg injury, though he was the team’s fourth-leading tackler at the time. In 2022, he played in six games before re-injuring the same leg and missing the rest of the season. Despite the setback, he was named All-MVFC and HERO Sports sophomore All-American, finishing as the third-leading tackler on the team with 44 tackles while forcing six turnovers with nine pass deflections.
Myles Harden Career
College Career at South Dakota (2020–2023)
Harden’s collegiate career reached its peak during his senior season in 2023 when he served as team captain. He played in 13 games and finished with 58 tackles, seven pass deflections, and an interception. His outstanding performance earned him first-team All-MVFC honors and first-team All-American recognition from several selectors. He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and received invitations to the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing his abilities against top prospects from across the country.
Throughout his four seasons at South Dakota, Harden demonstrated consistency and growth as a defensive player. His ability to read plays, break up passes, and make tackles in the secondary made him a valuable asset for the Coyotes defense. His journey from an overlooked zero-star recruit to a first-team All-American exemplifies his work ethic and dedication to the sport.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
Harden was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round with the 227th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joined a Browns organization looking to strengthen their defensive backfield with young talent. He was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2024, during his rookie season but was activated on December 14, 2024, returning to the active roster. As of the 2025 season, Harden continues to develop his craft as a cornerback for the Browns, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts with his skill set honed during his collegiate career at South Dakota.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harden is known for his competitive nature and physical style of play despite his listed height of five feet eleven inches. His background in basketball provided him with footwork and body control that translate well to coverage responsibilities. He demonstrated exceptional ball skills at South Dakota, leading the nation in pass defended per game during his freshman season and consistently ranking among the team leaders in pass deflections throughout his career. His ability to anticipate routes and create turnovers, evidenced by his multiple interceptions and forced fumbles at the collegiate level, gives him the potential to be an impact player in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Harden’s most significant career moments are his first-team All-American selection in 2023, his participation in the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, and being drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Browns organization. His recovery from consecutive leg injuries in 2021 and 2022 to return as a team captain and earn first-team All-MVFC honors in 2023 represents a notable testament to his resilience and commitment to football.
Myles Harden Career Statistics
Harden has compiled verified statistics across his college and professional career, demonstrating his contributions as a defensive player in the secondary.
College Statistics (South Dakota)
Throughout his four seasons at South Dakota from 2020 to 2023, Harden appeared in multiple games and accumulated significant statistics. His freshman season (2020-2021) saw him record 16 tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions in four starts. During his senior season in 2023, he played 13 games with 58 tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception while serving as team captain. His career statistics include multiple forced turnovers and consistent presence in the secondary.
NFL Statistics (Cleveland Browns)
Through the 2025 season, Harden has recorded 53 total tackles and four pass deflections in his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns.
| Competition Level | Games | Tackles | Pass Deflections | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (South Dakota) | Multiple seasons | Multiple seasons | Consistent | Multiple seasons |
| NFL (Cleveland Browns) | 2024–2025 | 53 | 4 | — |
Myles Harden Honors and Awards
Harden’s collegiate career was highlighted by numerous individual honors that recognize his impact as a defensive player in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and nationally.
Major Awards
Harden earned First-team FCS All-American honors in 2023, representing the highest recognition for non-FBS football players. He was also a First-team All-MVFC selection in 2023 and a Second-team All-MVFC honoree in 2022. During his freshman season, he received HERO Sports freshman All-American recognition along with being named to the All-MVFC newcomer team and receiving honorable mention All-MVFC honors.
Other Notable Recognition
Beyond his conference and national honors, Harden was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl following his senior season, providing him an opportunity to showcase his abilities against top senior prospects. He also participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, where he performed athletic testing in front of NFL team representatives. His journey from a zero-star recruit at Miramar High School to a first-team All-American at South Dakota demonstrates his development as a player and his ability to overcome adversity, including multiple injury setbacks during his collegiate career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marks an important chapter in Harden’s professional career as he looks to build upon his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. After being placed on injured reserve during the 2024 season and later activated, he has had an opportunity to fully recover and participate in off-season activities and training camp with the team. The Browns coaching staff continues to evaluate his development as they integrate young defensive talent into their secondary rotation.
Harden’s progression during the 2025 season depends significantly on his opportunities on special teams and defensive packages. The Browns have invested in their defensive backfield, and Harden’s special teams experience and coverage abilities provide him a pathway to earning more playing time. His collegiate production and recent NFL statistics indicate his potential to contribute as a solid NFL cornerback, though consistency and health remain key factors in his development trajectory.