The Tar Heels are now just a few days away from signing their early class for the 2022 cycle, which might very well be the best recruiting class for the program in the modern recruiting era. We want to give you an in-depth look at each player in the early signing class over the next few weeks and tell what to expect from them. Today, we break down 3✮ QB Conner Harrell.
We went back to last Wednesday’s AHSAA 7A State Championship Game for our look at Harrell, as he and the Thompson Warriors took down the Central Red Devils 38-22 for their third straight 7A state title. Harrell, who did not play in last fall’s state title for the Warriors, left this game, as well, with an injury, but would return after missing two drives to finish off a phenomenal senior season with great performance to earn the state title. Harrell had a nice first half, completing six of his eleven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, a 6-yard completion to Ryan Peppins in which Harrell was able to step up and somehow get the ball out to him with his body perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. In the second half, Harrell only threw the ball six times, but he completed four of them for 150 yards and a touchdown, an average of 37.5 yards per completion. He also found the end zone in the fourth quarter or a 3-yard scramble that helped to officially put the game out of reach. Harrell finished the night 10-17 for 273 yards and had three total touchdowns, two through the air and one rushing.
Harrell used this game to showcase his deep passing ability. He was five of six on throws that traveled over 20 yards in the air and the lone incompletion was one that drew a pass interference penalty. His accuracy on the deep ball was simply outstanding in this one and he made it look effortless throughout the night, making most throws look rather effortless. He has good footwork and doesn’t get flustered easily by pressure. He also did a really good job of moving the pocket and made some nice off platform throws that show his playmaking ability. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a player that should be more highly rated by the recruiting service and probably would if he had been able to go through national prospect camps.
This is just the start of our look at the current Tar Heel commits from this fall that we will be doing over the next handful of weeks. We will be looking at every early signee that the Tar Heels sign later this month to give a look at what to expect from them whenever they arrive to campus, so make sure that you keep it here with the Heel Tough Blog over the offseason.