JaJuan Harley is a name Seminole fans might not be familiar with yet, but the
6-1/190 pound defensive back from Rickards High in Tallahassee put on a show at
the recent Bobby Bowden Camps. NoleDigest is pleased to introduce you to this
standout for the Class of 2009.
How was your experience at the Bobby Bowden Camp at Florida State?
JH: It was fun. I learned a lot. I got help with the little things that I
need to work on. I spent a lot of time with Mickey Andrews. He taught me a lot.
You are considered one of the camp standouts. How does that make you feel?
JH: It's a great honor because it shows me that all of the hard work I put it
paid off. It is nice.
Do you hear from any other coaches?
JH: I hear from some coaches at Florida. I just really started talking to FSU
coaches at the camp. I spoke to Mickey (Andrews), Jimbo Fisher, Coach (John)
Lilly and Bobby Bowden. I also have had players that went to West Virginia from
my high school (Rickards High) contact me telling me the coaches want me and
that they are coming up.
How was it meeting and speaking to Coach Bowden?
JH: (laughs) Man, it was a dream come true for me. Not many people get to
speak to him. What a great honor.
Have you received any verbal offers?
JH: No, not yet. I do get a lot of mail though. I hear from USF, West Virginia,
Alabama, and LSU. FSU is just starting to contact me, and I got my first letter
from Florida inviting me to Friday Night Lights. I am going to go to that. Also,
I am going to FSU's showcase the day after. I got invited to that.
What position is FSU talking to you about?
JH: At first it was just safety then we started talking at camp and they like
me as a corner too. They told me they like my versatility.
What position(s) do you play at Rickards?
JH: I play flanker on offense. On defense I play safety, corner and a little
bit of linebacker. But not a lot, mostly safety and corner. I also play special
teams. Special teams and safety are my favorites because I like having the ball
in my hands on special teams, and at safety you control what is going on. You
are the general on defense. If you play it right you can control where the QB
goes with the ball.
Do any schools stick out to you early in the process?
JH: I grew up a fan of all 3 of the Florida schools. But like you said, it is
early and I am open to everyone.
Do you play any other sports?
JH: I run track, play basketball, and do weightlifting. I may run track in
college as well as play football. I run the 100 and 200. My best times this year
were 10.6 in the 100 and 22.08 in the 200. On Wednesday I ran a 4.37 40 at the
camp.
As a young player what are some of the strengths and weaknesses of your
game?
JH: My strengths are my speed and my covering skills. I feel I have very good
recovery speed. As far as my weaknesses, I think I need to work on my
bump-and-run coverage. I need to improve at that.