2022 Season Preview: Harrisburg Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2021 Fall season had Harrisburg a real player in the race for the 6A State Title, primarily on the backs of their incredible 2023 class that is littered with top 100 prospects. That same 2023 class will have another season of experience under their belts. Add a bit of sting as well, coming off a 3-point loss to State College that halted any chance of a 6A championship appearance. Some were surprised, I was of the belief that the State College team was a bit underrated. The coaching staff and current roster will look to avenge that loss on the backs of some of the best players in the state. Five of Harrisburg's twelve victories came by one score or less in 2021, I am expecting a smoother run in the regular season in 2022. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures: Justin Cook, Roy Irvin, Anthony Day Jr., </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd1713f002e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249232"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd173ff002f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146545"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd174df0030","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["259521"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd175df0031","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["357948"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"How far Harrisburg goes this Fall will almost certainly be dependent on well these four prospects perform. Hopkins, Reynolds, and Jones are three of the best players at their position, all of whom have yet to announce future intentions.rnrnWe spoke briefly on [player_tooltip player_id='249232' first='Mahkai' last='Hopkins'] in an uncommitted post, highlighting him as Pennsylvania's top-ranked running back that has yet to announce where he will play at the next level. The young man might be equally as valuable to college coaching staffs at linebacker. We speak in volume about Hopkins' prowess on offense, yet 101 tackles is not a number to ignore. In order for Harrisburg to reach the top of 6A, they are going to need the same elite play on both sides of the football out of Hopkins. He's poised to do what it takes.rnrnNext is athlete and Temple commit [player_tooltip player_id='146545' first='Kyle' last='Williams'], who practically ranks at the same spot as running mate [player_tooltip player_id='249232' first='Mahkai' last='Hopkins']. Personal opinion, [player_tooltip player_id='146545' first='Kyle' last='Williams'] is the most valuable player in a Harrisburg uniform. There aren't too many senior prospects who can impact a game like Williams can. His pass-catching ability sets him apart, acting as a legitimate wide receiver in some cases. Again, Williams can run real routes, he has an understanding of route concepts and how to manipulate defensive alignment. Makes sense considering he gets real defensive backs reps as well.rnrn[player_tooltip player_id='259521' first='Terrell' last='Reynolds'] is yet another elite defensive lineman that has yet to commit. The 1st-team all-conference pass rusher and number one sack man in Pennsylvania will set the tone on defense. Reynolds doesn't have to repeat his historic 2021 performance for Harrisburg to get where they want to be. Another season with 18.5 sacks would help the cause though. Reynolds comes into the Fall season with recruiting momentum, I expect him to continue to impress the staffs that have offered thus far.rnrn[player_tooltip player_id='357948' first='Amir' last='Jones'] continues the theme of this piece. Another top-ranked player at his position that has yet to announce his commitment. Ranked as the fourth best wideout in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg boasts a top five senior running back, athlete, and wideout. A statement that every 6A title contender can't say. [player_tooltip player_id='357948' first='Amir' last='Jones'] currently holds two offers from Dartmouth and Syracuse University.rnrnThese four highlight the impressive senior class that had a huge hand in Harrisburg's 2021 success.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Amir_Jones9/status/1560600958287204352?s=20u0026t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Amir_Jones9/status/1560600958287204352?s=20&amp;t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd176ef0032","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='358002' first='Samir' last='Wilkerson'] ranks as a top 250 prospect, earning an FCS grade out of me. The Harrisburg Cougars should light up scoreboards this Fall but will be real Title contenders on the backs of their potentially elite defensive front. Wilkerson joins [player_tooltip player_id='259521' first='Terrell' last='Reynolds'] inside a front-seven that should wreak havoc. Wilkerson can provide speed and agility from his linebacker spot. Wilkerson recognizes running lanes well and is happy to clog holes and pursue the ball carrier through traffic. He can make stops aligned from the far hash. An underrated piece to the puzzle that could see FCS love if he maximizes his potential.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd177af0033","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358333"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Not too many kids I am personally rooting for more than [player_tooltip player_id='281288' first='Zakii' last='Lewis']. I have had the luxury of seeing ZCL perform in person on a couple of different occasions. You can see the potential in shorts and a t-shirt, we just want to see it all translate onto the field. I am not in the know of how reps might be shared or if they will be shared at all with 2025 talent [player_tooltip player_id='263040' first='Shawn' last='Lee Jr.'] Nonetheless, Harrisburg has a plethora of weapons to make the job smooth and steady for whoever lines up behind center. Wishing [player_tooltip player_id='281288' first='Zakii' last='Lewis'] the best, he recently secured his first college opportunity with Misericordia University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB/status/1556653596732702720?s=20u0026t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB/status/1556653596732702720?s=20&amp;t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd178af0034","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["306912"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This kid is bound to jump into the top 500 from what I've seen this offseason, especially recently. As if Harrisburg didn't have enough weapons for a defense to worry about, throw in [player_tooltip player_id='306912' first='Ameer' last='Grandberry']. A wideout who can eat in the slot, he's projected to be the big chunk gainer of the offense. He might not see too many targets with the number of mouths to feed on the team, yet when those targets come, expect most of them to go for 15 yards or more a pop. Also, expect Grandberry to make plays at DB as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd17c3f0036","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["255741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd17ccf0037","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377181"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd17def0038","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Here are three Junior standouts who are all ready to make themselves known in the state. All three are top 250 prospects amongst their class, an area I could see improve for each kid by November. I expect there to be junior names that aren't currently on my radar, yet these three have been impact players for some time now.rnrnWe talked briefly about Harrisburg's potentially dominant front-seven. The Cougars deploy Reynolds and Wilkerson, now add two top 25 2024 defensive linemen in [player_tooltip player_id='255741' first='Ryan' last='Epps'] and [player_tooltip player_id='377181' first='Micah' last='Chambers'].rnrnAny time [player_tooltip player_id='255741' first='Ryan' last='Epps'] posts a weekly Hudl, I fully expect the unexpected. The young man has an athletic build that can easily be molded to help pretty much anywhere along the front seven. If he has to play defensive tackle, he can do so at a high level. He's a bit on the thick side but if he had to play middle linebacker, I could see him doing so at a high level as well. Epps recorded a whopping 17 TFLs last Fall. Add that to Reynolds's 18.5 sacks and you've got a defensive front that will live in opponents' backfields.rnrnNow add an additional 10.5 sacks and 26 TFLs. The stats are ridiculous. This line represents [player_tooltip player_id='377181' first='Micah' last='Chambers'], the pass rusher opposite FBS-talent [player_tooltip player_id='259521' first='Terrell' last='Reynolds']. There is no way an opposing offense and key in on any one player, because his counterpart, either Reynolds or Chambers, can break a game open by themselves. Fun group to watch.rnrnA ton of attention is paid to the Cougar defensive front, which is understandable. Would like to show love to a possible name to know in Junior [player_tooltip player_id='280353' first='Raytel' last='Bryant']. A former PRZ Camp standout, my eyes will be squarely focused on how far Bryant's development has come since this past January.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd1802f0039","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["263040"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd180cf003a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["263032"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We finish off the preview with two Sophomore prospects who could and should make immediate impacts this Fall. Both Shawn Lee and [player_tooltip player_id='263032' first='Ky'mir' last='Williams'] currently rank as top five prospects at their respective positions. Shawn Lee brings a different dynamic to the offense, the kid can be schemed up to beat you in so many different ways. A mixture of Curry-Lewis and Lee Jr.'s talents should leave defenses guessing for a second straight year.rnrnAdd yet another stud in the Cougar front seven. This time, it's hybrid linebacker/safety [player_tooltip player_id='263032' first='Ky'mir' last='Williams'], who is still coming into his own inside this defensive system. A very early grade suggests both Lee and Williams will serve as the future of the program. Expect the Harrisburg coaching staff to expand Williams' role off of what was an impressive freshman campaign.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TheMirWilliams_/status/1466755327085486083?s=20u0026t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TheMirWilliams_/status/1466755327085486083?s=20&amp;t=p0oFSJuTQJutjTceoJ2pDQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->