Many football fans are not yet familiar with Trevor Harman, but he has a unique opportunity to cement his place in Division 2 football history. Now in his senior season, Harman is closing in on several Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) records and can be considered a contender for the coveted Harlon Hill Trophy. He is one of three captains on a Shippensburg Red Raiders team that is expected to contend for the PSAC Championship after a 7-4 campaign in 2013.
Harman’s 2013 season was an impressive one. He racked up 1,421 yards on 105 receptions with 22 touchdowns. When added to his freshman and sophomore numbers, Harman is on track to contend for several PSAC records, and when it is all said and done, he could be the most prolific receiver in Division 2 history. So how did a receiver who measures up at 6’3’’ and 205 pounds end up at Shippensburg? According to Harman, the proximity to home played a major factor.
“To be completely honest, it’s because I’m right down the street. On my official visit when I first came, Mike Frenette, our old running back, he showed me around and showed me it was a fun time,” said Harman, “The atmosphere of the University, I really, really enjoyed. It kind of just…being around people like this, and being close to home was a very big plus.”
Harman has already started the 2014 season with an impressive performance. He caught 12 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, against Seton Hill. His two touchdowns came from two different quarterbacks.
“Seton Hill was a big test; they have a ton of athletes. From an individual standpoint, we did very well across the board. Our quarterbacks did well. #1 did extremely well, Sheldon Mayer,” said Harman.
“Both our running backs, both rushed for 100 yards each, both obviously studs. That’s a bright side when it comes to the longevity of the season and how far we want to make it,” said Harman.
Harman played his high school football for Cumberland Valley, which he led to a PIAA Class AAAA Semi-Final appearance in 2009. He played both ways, contributing 20 career interceptions as a defensive back, in addition to his duties as a receiver. He was originally recruited to play in 22-year head coach Rocky Rees’ Wing-T offense. Cumberland Valley had the same offense, with the same terminology.
“Coming in, I didn’t really have to learn a new offense because they used the same terminology I did in high school. Having that same terminology and being able to get in and make plays, and catch the football rather than having to learn an offense at first really helped with the process.”
Since Coach Mark Maciejewski took over in 2011, Harman has loved to learn the Spread. He first learned the offense from offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Yurcich utilized the Spread to help Shippensburg score over 40 points in 16 of 24 games when he called the plays. After Yurcich left Ship to become the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State, Joe Davis took over. Now in his third different offense, Harman is putting up bigger numbers than ever before.
After learning three different offenses, Harman’s greatest asset on the football field isn’t his size or speed, but his brain.
“I always make sure I know all positions on the field, all four wideout spots. I make sure I know what is going on in the quarterback’s head as well,” said Harman.
Harman’s uncle is Arizona Cardinals head coach, Bruce Arians. “I know at family reunions, football was always played. Ever since I was a little kid, I remember him always being there. He coached everybody around, didn’t really do much on the playing part, but having Uncle Bruce out there is something that’s cool.”
Despite the possibility of an invite to the NFL Combine, Harman remains focused on the week to week battles of Shippensburg’s difficult PSAC schedule, though there may be some records in his crosshairs.
“Right now my main focus is on Edinboro… I really want a PSAC title, and am going one week at a time,” said Harman. “There’s a couple records that I have my eyes set on. There’s a few PSAC records that I really would like.”
