Rich Rodriguez hasn’t been a stranger to Detroit Metro airport in recent
days. He has been tireless in his efforts to secure verbals from previously
known commits and prospects, but has also been busy uncovering new targets as
well. One fresh face on the recruiting board is Wichita, Kansas QB/ATH Chris Harper. Michigan’s headman is in the midst of a late push for the talented
youngster.
“He came out (Thursday) morning,” Harper said regarding Rodriguez’s
visit. “He was there for two and half hours. He was talking about the
situation he is in right now with how he is looking to sign two quarterbacks
in this class. He was telling me about Michigan… the fans, the staff and
everything they have to offer.”
The Wolverines aren’t taking a shot in the dark with their pursuit of
the dual threat star. He was already somewhat familiar with the Maize &
Blue.
“They called me because Michigan had already offered me before as an
athlete, but is was probably going to be receiver,” Harper explained.
“It kind of fell through because I really didn’t have too much interest
in that. I told (Coach Rodriguez) I would listen to what he had to say now that
he’s the coach. He said I have an offer as a quarterback. Another reason
is because for my family, (Michigan) is less than half the distance that Oregon
is from Kansas.”
While the opportunity to play quarterback at Michigan is intriguing, Harper
is hesitant to de-commit from a second school (he was initially committed to
Kansas State), especially when he considers some of the relationships he has
forged at Oregon.
“I’m still leaning to Oregon right now,” Harper admitted.
“There’s nothing that Michigan has done to change my mind from that
yet. I’m in a good situation at Oregon, so I’m not sure I want to
do (go to Michigan instead). I can leave early and go up (to Oregon) in April
because they’re on quarters so I would be up there for the spring. Plus
I’ve been talking to coaches up there for a while and I like them a lot.
Oregon throws the ball a little bit more than West Virginia did. I know they
didn’t have a lot of receivers, but that’s something to look at
too. “
“It’s five days from signing day and that’s a hard a decision
to make by then,” he continued. “Coach (Rodriguez) did say that
I have a scholarship offer waiting for me until March 31st which is the last
day you can sign. The only way I’ll wait is if my parents want me to wait.”
In the coming days Harper plans to sit down with his parents so he can further
discuss his options. Unless he opts to delay his decision until after signing
day, he will likely settle on a choice without the aid of a visit to Ann Arbor.
“I kind of don’t have the time right now to visit because I play
basketball too, and signing day is five days away,” he said. “Right
now I think I’m going to have my choice made by then. I’ll just
sit down and think about it. The other reason I told Coach Rodriguez I would
listen to what he has to say is because my grand aunts and grand uncles on both
sides of my family live in Detroit. “
GoBlueWolverine will have more on Harper in the coming days.