Area players who have verbally committed:
Cameron Burrows, DB, Trotwood-Madison / Ohio State
Jarrod “Chunky” Clements, DL, Trotwood-Madison / Illinois
Reon Dawson, CB, Trotwood-Madison / Illinois
Brant Gressel, DT, Centerville / Iowa
Javon Harrison, QB, Wayne / Toledo
Greg Hart, TE, Alter / Nebraska
Darrien Howard, FB/LB, CJ / West Virginia
Evan Lisle, OL, Centerville / Ohio State
Jalin Marshall, QB, Middletown / Ohio State
Michael McCray, LB, Trotwood-Madison / Michigan
Malik Zaire, QB, Alter / Notre Dame
JAVON HARRISON
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 208
2011 season stats
Passing: 138-of-267; 21 TDs; 10 INTs
Rushing: 117 for 673; 19 TDs
Best games: 369 yards passing, 3 TDs vs. Centerville; 311 yards, 2 TDs vs. Canton McKinley; 270 yards, 4 TDs vs. Northmont; 197 yards rushing vs. Fairmont
All quarterback Javon Harrison has going for him is a strong arm that offers a “catchable” ball, elusive running ability and consistent 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash.
That’s all loaded on a solid 6-foot-2, 208-pound frame.
That was enough to entice the University of Toledo.
The Wayne High School senior has joined a banner class of area senior players who have verbally committed to play at the next level. Harrison pledged his allegiance to Toledo after making an unofficial visit this past weekend.
He told the Toledo Blade that the school’s medical program was the difference maker. He plans on pursuing a medical degree.
“I didn’t know they had such a big hospital and how great the programs are there,” he said. “It caught my eye.”
Just as appealing to the Rockets was Harrison’s 2,144 passing yards, 21 touchdown tosses and just 10 interceptions. He also was a legitimate running threat with 673 yards rushing and another 19 TDs.
And he was at his best against the best. He topped 200 yards passing six times, including a career-best 369 in a blowout setback to Centerville. He also dented unbeaten Trotwood-Madison for 196 yards.
Even more impressive, he did all that as the follow up to the Braxton Miller QB era at Wayne.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Warriors coach Jay Minton said.
“We’ve had two special young men who have risen up to the challenge. Being a quarterback at Wayne is not easy, especially after what (former coach) Mike Schneider started. You’re in the spotlight, the glass bowl. Everybody wants to critique and criticize you. Both have really stepped up and been really mature about it.”
Harrison is at least the 11th area incoming senior to verbally commit. Recruits cannot sign a binding NCAA letter of intent until National Signing Day on Feb. 6 next year.
He also had offers from the Air Force Academy, Boston College, Ohio and Eastern Illinois.
Toledo held a satellite camp at Wayne on Monday.
Contact this reporter at 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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