JuJu Harmon, right, with teammate Javeon Campbell and Western Hills coach Simon Vanderpool. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Jeremaine “JuJu” Harmon Jr. doesn’t think “nobody can guard me” when he’s playing his best game either at receiver or defensive back.
“I’m getting better, too,” he said. “This is only like my second year playing full-time defensive back, so I know I will be better.”
Harmon transferred from Great Crossing to Western Hills and coach Simon Vanderpool says there’s no doubt he has the tools to be special — one reason Kentucky offered him a scholarship this summer. Vanderpool compared him to Kalib Perry, a former Great Crossing linebacker now playing at Tennessee.
“JuJu is about 190 or 195 pounds now but I think he could be 225 or 230 as a senior and keep his same speed,” Vanderpool said.
That’s why Michigan State, Florida, Miami and Vanderbilt are some of the other schools who are staying in contact with Harmon. He already has an offer from Eastern Kentucky.
Harmon said he ran so much this summer he actually lost weight but helped his speed.
He was surprised when Kentucky gave him his first SEC offer recently.
“I thought I might get it eventually but I didn’t know it was coming this early,” Harmon said. “I didn’t go to camp but they had film on me from last year and really liked my potential.”
Harmon likes to watch football highlights when he has down time and believes watching NFL and college players or even other high school players can help make him better.
“I really like watching everybody on the (Baltimore) Ravens defense. I’ve always been a physical player and a Ravens fan.”
He has a physical player on his team now in defensive lineman Javelin Campbell, a Kentucky commit even though he had not played high school football until last season.
“He’s a great leader and he likes to get better and all that pushes people without him really having to say anything,” Harmon said. “The other day we were running and everybody was tired and he was still trying to get us to push. He was trying to be first (in the sprints) and that was pushing me without him really saying anything.”
Harmon believes he’ll likely be a better defensive prospect in college than offensive player but stresses he can play multiple spots.
“I have a lot of energy on the field. I have a great football IQ. I can visualize what is happening and I just have to keep getting better and better,” he said.
2 Responses
Come have fun college with your buddy Campbell. We are going to have a great defense for the next 4-5 years. I’m anxious to see who we get in the portal this year to add to that great class of 2025. I think we can steal a couple of 4* recruits from other schools and then get the best 10 transfers available. The 2022 class is our main guys on this team Brown Key and Walker. We had a hell of a class in 2023 as well. 2024 should be the best defensive class we’ve had in a long time. Plus the 2025 class is better than any of these classes. Idk about defensively in 2024. We need another great offensive lineman. We also need a couple running backs and receivers. We are good at QB. 2024 we addressed almost every need on defense.
Beginning to really like the Frankfort pipeline to UK Football. I’m from there and there has always been a lot of talent for a small town. I think it has always been good enough to play at this level just good to see it getting recognized now! Go Cats!