Recruiting: Showcases propel Cherry Hill West's Hand to top of the list
When the football season ended for Cherry Hill West High School on the night before Thanksgiving, junior defensive back Harrison Hand was just another promising player in the Class of 2017.
When the football season ended for Cherry Hill West High School on the night before Thanksgiving, junior defensive back Harrison Hand was just another promising player in the Class of 2017.
Now he's much more than that.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Hand has skyrocketed up recruiting lists with a series of spring performances at showcases that have stamped him as one of the state's most intriguing college prospects.
"It's really just hard work and dedication," Hand said. "I've been blessed. I know that. But I've always worked really hard to show people what I can do."
Hand is ticketed for the Opening finals, a showcase of the nation's top prospects set for July 5-10 at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.
Hand earned a trip to that prestigious event after collecting the most valuable player award for defensive backs at the Opening–N.J. regional May 1 at the New York Jets' facility in Florsham.
A day earlier, Hand was named defensive backs MVP at rivals.com New Jersey camp in Piscataway.
"His spring has been amazing, but I can't say that I'm shocked," Cherry Hill West coach Brian Wright said. "When he came to us [as a transfer from Cherry Hill East] midway through his freshman year, he already had a ton of ability.
"Each year he has gotten better. This spring he has been able to put it all together and has been at the right place and right time to showcase his skills against the best in the country."
Hand's star began to rise at the Army All-American Game underclassmen combine in San Antonio in early January. That's when, he said, he ran the 40-yard dash in a hand-timed 4.28 seconds.
At the Opening–N.J., Hand ran the 40-yard dash in a laser-timed 4.40 seconds. He also unleashed a 40-inch vertical leap.
Beyond his impressive testing, Hand showed well in one-on-one competitions, displaying the ability to stick with top receivers, anticipate routes, and recover from occasional missteps.
"I knew I could do it," Hand said. "It was just a matter of confidence, of going out there and showing I could compete with anybody."
Hand has seven scholarship offers but is expected to generate more in the wake of his recent performances. He plans to attend Ohio State's camp June 11, and has long been a fan of the Buckeyes.
Hand is similar in body type and athletic ability to former Eastern (Voorhees, N.J.) High School and Ohio State star cornerback Eli Apple, who was the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft by the New York Giants.
"I love playing cornerback," Hand said. "I like the physical aspect of it, covering guys, but also being able to come up and hit and play against the run."
Hand earned a Pitt offer the night of his work at the Opening–N.J.; Syracuse and Virginia Tech also have made recent offers.
Hand also has offers from Rutgers, Temple, Old Dominion, and Monmouth.
Hand said he hasn't narrowed his list of potential colleges and might not make a decision until late in his senior season.
"I want to take my time and make sure I make the right decision," Hand said. "I always dreamed I could go D-I, ever since I started playing football.
"It's all hard work. I knew I could get there, but I knew I had to work for it."
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