Central Michigan University Athletics
Justin Harper Profile
10/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 13, 2005
By Zach Ribble
Sports Information Student Assistant
Consistently traveling 1,300 miles cross-country would be an impossible task for most parents, but not for Jennifer Harper, the mother of Chippewa senior wide receiver Justin Harper. Jennifer makes the trip as often as she can from Abilene, Texas, to see Justin's football games.
"My mom tries not to miss any football games," Justin Harper said. "Whether it's home or away, she will be there. Last season, she didn't miss a single game."
With the commitment Harper's mother shows him, he tries to show the same commitment to the Central Michigan University football team. He proves his dedication through his guidance.
"My goal is to be a leader and help us become a winning program," Harper said.
Harper's leadership begins with the wide receiver unit. Because he is the only senior, he said that he leads by example for the younger receivers. While he tries to be a leader, Harper acknowledged that all the wideouts help each other in practice and games. In fact, their jobs could be a bit easier because Harper said this unit is the most talented he has seen since he became a Chippewa.
Harper and the top-notch unit already have amassed 730 yards through the air in three games. Harper caught three passes for 12 yards in the Indiana loss, but missed the Miami game with an injury. In the Miami win, the Chippewa wideouts scorched the RedHawks for 356 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Harper believes the Miami win and close loss to Big Ten foe, Indiana, has the CMU program headed in the right direction.
"The Miami and Indiana games are huge for this program," Harper said. "The Miami win was big because some predicted the RedHawks to win the conference. We like to be the underdog because our team knows we have the talent to beat top competition, and we want to show that our team can play with anyone."
In order to beat the best, Harper knows what is necessary to help out CMU. He believes he needs to continue his leadership as a senior and believes there is always room for improvement in his game.
Harper's production has improved each season since 2002. As a true freshman, Harper caught 19 balls for 170 yards. The next season he boosted his numbers to 45 catches, 441 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Harper topped those numbers with 39 receptions, 526 yards through the air, and five touchdowns last year.
Harper's 112 career catches are tied for fourth all-time at CMU with Rob Turner (1999-2002). Reggie Allen (1995-1998) is CMU's all-time leader in receptions with 192.
Before Harper began his climb up the CMU career receptions list he was recruited from Abilene, Texas. Early in the recruiting process, Harper did not want to leave Texas.
"Initially, I wanted to stay close to home," Harper said. "But when I came up to visit CMU, the facilities were better than any school back home. I really liked the coaching staff and the team chemistry. At most colleges, I only hung out with one or two guys. At CMU, I got to know a lot of the football players."
Harper credits his high school competition for elevating his game to receive a CMU football scholarship. In fact, his Cooper High School football team battled Odessa-Permian and Midland Lee, schools made famous in the best-selling novel Friday Night Lights. In addition, Harper said he faced former University of Texas players Cedric Benson, Derrick Johnson, and Roy Williams.
"I figured if I could compete against those guys, I could play at the college level," Harper said.
After Harper graduates from college, he would like to play at the professional level. At CMU, he is exploring the health fitness field and is considering becoming a strength and conditioning coach.
