Veteran O-lineman Derek Harden Jr. granted an extra year by the NCAA

CARBONDALE, Ill. — More good news for the Saluki Football offensive line arrived on Thursday. Veteran starting guard Derek Harden Jr. was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return for the 2026 season.

Harden Jr. started all 12 games at right guard for the Salukis in 2025 and has 31 career starts to his credit. He began his career at Southern during the 2020 COVID year, but due to knee injuries, has only played three full seasons for SIU (2022, 2023, 2025).

While he described the NCAA’s decision as a “no-brainer,” Harden Jr. said he had to think carefully about his decision to play one more year.

“Throughout the season, I was telling myself that I wasn't gonna come back,” he explained. “When we didn’t make the playoffs at 7-5, that’s not how I wanted to leave. With DJ (Williams) coming back and the guys we have in the O-line room, I just feel like we have so much more room to grow.”

Southern’s offensive line graded out as No. 1 in the nation in the FCS in 2025. Looking ahead, the 2026 unit is beginning to take shape with four, experienced starters returning — guards Harden Jr. and Jacob Katauskas, and tackles Blaine Halley and Coleon Smith, who last week was also granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.

“We should be where we were at in 2025, if not better,” Harden Jr. predicted. “We have a bunch of young guys that are willing to learn and take coaching. There’s leadership in the room, led by Coach (Dan) Clark, and some of us older guys. It’s a great group of guys.”

A team captain last season, the Georgia native has been one of the program’s inspirational leaders, due to his strength in the face of personal tragedy. He lost his father to cancer after the 2024 season.

“I really love taking on that leadership role,” Harden Jr. said. “When it comes to leading a drill or when the coaches ask a question, I'm the first guy that the younger guys look at. I enjoy that responsibility.”

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Harden Jr. said he feels healthy, though he aims to play at a lighter weight in 2026.

“I played at a heavy weight this past year, and I want to get it down so that I'm able to move better,” he explained. “I want to put less pressure on my knees, so I just need to make sure I get my diet and training right, and keep working on my craft.”

Harden Jr. said the team has ambitious goals for 2026.

“The main goal is to get that conference championship,” he said. “That puts us in the best place possible for the playoffs with a first-round bye, and obviously, we want to win a national championship. That's what everybody's prepping for, and we have the pieces that we need for our ultimate goal.”