Lebanon QB Isaac Harker relishes national combine experience

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By Erica Rath

For VYPE Magazine (Central Indiana)

Isaac Harker can add another accomplishment to his already impressive list. Earlier this month, Harker, along with 500 of the best underclassmen football players in the country, was invited to the US Army National Combine in San Antonio, Texas.

Harker is a junior at Lebanon High School. As quarterback, he led the Tigers to a 6-5 record and had his best game against eventual Class 4A state champion, Cathedral, completing 16-of-32 passes for 394 yards, a career best.

After several stellar seasons under center, Harker has become a standout player not only locally but nationally as well.

In order to attend the combine, you must be invited. After an incredible 2012-13 season, the invitation was inevitable. Harker was named second-team All-Sagamore Conference, Under 100 Quarterback MVP for Midwest Class of 2014, Top Prospect Elite Top 10, Top Prospect Elite 7-on-7 and earned an invite to Top Gun Football University.

The US Army National Combine gathers the best in the country at the Alamo Dome for three days of testing and training (Jan. 3-5). The quarterbacks work routes with the receivers as well as improving footwork. The combine testing is similar to that of the NFL where the athletes work to improve speed, agility and strength.

After Harker was notified of the chance to attend the combine, he knew it would be a good chance to play with top competition and get his name out to potential colleges.

“I felt right at home with those guys. We are just a bunch of guys trying to get better at football and trying to get our names out there. I was really comfortable because football is a sport where the players can relate to each other. It was just a really good experience.” Harker said.

As a junior, Harker received a great deal of individual recognition, but he is focused on the upcoming season.

“I’m just going to continue to work harder every day for my team, so we can try and become the best we can be. I’m going to try and put the [colleges and scouts] in the back of my mind and just focus on the season.”

Harker says he is working on becoming better during the offseason. He is studying film, lifting and training to become a better athlete and quarterback.

Throughout the notoriety and accomplishments, Harker remains humble and grateful. He was named captain this past fall and notes that as one of his proudest feats.

He also realizes that his job as quarterback would be much harder without a strong team around him. “I felt honored to be a team captain this year. It’s a good feeling to be put in a position of leadership on a team like that. I’m thankful for the team I have, for the lineman and everyone and all of the hard work that they put in.”

Harker will focus on baseball this spring, but he also plans to continue to become the best quarterback he can be.

“We finished last season at 6-5 but a few of the losses were by 3 points. I think we had a pretty successful season and my teammates did a great job. It’s a great group of guys. We just have to continue to improve this season,” Harker said.