Talk about physical freaks - the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Harper runs a 4.38 40, has a 40-inch vertical and he bench-presses 315 pounds. That makes him a natural for this week’s "Five" - that and the fact he’s seriously considering K-State.
1. Where do you stand right now? How many head coaches have you spoken to?
It’s K-State, Missouri, Illinois, Notre Dame, Cal, Oregon and Miami (Fla.). Miami just came by today and saw my highlight. (Assistant) Coach (Michael) Barrow came in and left a couple of hours ago. … I’ve talked to every head coach of every school that was talking to me, including Florida and USC. But not Nebraska. (J-Mart note: Go figure.)
2. How many of those schools you just mentioned are legitimately recruiting you at quarterback?
As of right now, three of the five schools (that Harper has offers from) are offering me as QB — K-State, Illinois and Missouri. (J-Mart note: Notre Dame and Cal want Harper as an athlete). Oregon has seen my film. They just got it and they like it a lot. Miami saw it, too, and we’ll see what happens.
3. With your athletic ability, do you model your game after someone like Illinois’ Juice Williams? If so, how do you respond to the people who scoff at your efforts to be a Division I quarterback?
Man, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Kind of thought about it. I used to watch Michael Vick all of the time. More in college, the first year in the NFL. … All of the mobile quarterbacks, but I watch Peyton Manning, too. I try to take something from everyone. As for the talk, I’ve heard it. I kind of laugh at it. I’m not trying to brag, but I’m third in the City in passing. (J-Mart note: Harper has completed 49 of 89 passes for 678 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception in eight games). I understand, though. … There are people who say I can’t play receiver or running back because I don’t like to get hit. Anywhere I play, I’m going to have to deal with that kind of talk.
4. This is a K-State blog — hence the title. What are the positives and negatives about K-State?
The positives? Everything is a positive. The town is kind of a downfall, but it’s not bad. When you get to college, it’s all the same. Illinois (Champaign) isn’t great, and Notre Dame (South Bend) isn’t too big. (At K-State) the offense is different than what I’ve been in. I’m looking at the quarterbacks they recruit, and they’re all these bigger guys, all 6-foot-5 or more. I know they run the option a little bit, like once or twice a game. That’s the bad thing. The fans are great, and it’s an in-state school. A lot of people know me up there, so the support will be there. The coaching staff is great. Overall, it’s the best staff I’ve talked to. Real personable. That’s the only school where I know all of the coaches and have all of their numbers.
The negatives? I don’t have any doubts about K-State. But for a quarterback like me, that can run. … I know (Ron) Prince had mobile quarterbacks at Virginia and I know he also recruited the Vicks. It’s just the system, and that’s what I’m looking at right now.
5. When is a decision coming? Is it too late for other schools to get involved?
I’m not sure when I’m going to make a decision. (Northwest, currently 6-2 overall and 4-2 in City) has qualified for the playoffs and we’re just playing for a seed. It’s going to be hard, to finish my official visits, with my schedule. Games are on Fridays, and we watch film on Saturdays. I don’t know how I’m going to take visits, and I’m not going to make a decision until I see all of the schools. I haven’t been to Cal or Oregon yet. I might to wait until Signing Day (Feb. 6). ESPN sent me something about doing it on-air. … I was planning on enrolling early, but now, wherever I go, it won’t matter. If I was a receiver, I could pick that up real quick. And if I’m a quarterback, I’m probably going to red-shirt.
As for other schools, if Virginia Tech — they called a few times earlier this season — called, then maybe I’d listen. They have a history of running quarterbacks. … West Virginia or Florida, maybe. But I’d have to go see those schools myself (J-Mart note: he means unofficial visits).
(BONUS) 6. Was Kansas ever in the equation?
KU offered me, but I’m not going to say anything about them.