Ranked as the country’s No. 1 running back recruit, Saint Martin Episcopal senior Harlem Berry takes pride in being the best player on the field. And this was put on display during the Saints’ home opener against Westminster Christian Academy last Saturday night.
Berry is the highest-rated running back to come out of Louisiana since Leonard Fournette. While these two players have vastly different play styles, Berry still is a human highlight reel.
“Obviously, I’m not a Leonard Fournette type of back but when you watch me you’re just going to see me make a lot of people miss,” Berry says. “[I have] a lot of speed, a lot of acceleration. Just a lot of agility and I’m going to put on a highlight tape for you.”
On January 3, 2024, Metairie native Harlem Berry announced his commitment to Louisiana State University. When looking forward to playing in Death Valley, in the purple and gold, for the first time, this five-star recruit is eager to showcase his on-field abilities to the LSU faithful.
Different generations of LSU fans grow up idolizing different players. From Heisman candidate Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu to Odell Beckham Jr., people fall in love with LSU football from watching star athletes make incredible plays.
Berry is looking forward to this particular challenge. “I’m going to make you become an LSU fan,” he says. “You’re going to love what you see and… you’re going to root for us.”
After watching his performance against Westminster Christian Academy, anyone in attendance for this game will tell you that this young man has an extremely special talent.
One of the most impressive characteristics of Berry’s athleticism is his versatility. When receiving kickoffs and punts, his open-field vision and shifty maneuvers make Berry a force to be reckoned with.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Westminster punted the ball away from deep in its own territory. Berry, catching the ball in stride, made three would-be tacklers completely miss. He immediately turned upfield with impressive acceleration and left two other Westminster defenders in his rearview mirror.
This punt return would go for 61 yards, with Berry finally being tackled by the last line of defense.
Berry will graduate high school early this January and enroll at LSU. He remains unfazed by the extreme pressure that goes into being one of the best players in the country.
“The only person I got to prove to someone is myself,” Berry says. “And honestly, you know, when I go to LSU, I just plan on [doing] me. Go win a Heisman, go be the great player that I know I am. And you know, just go ball out.”
As he transitions from high school to college, Berry wants to grow as a player and, more importantly, become a better man.
“Probably as a player, you know, [I] might have to pick up some pounds a little bit… not too much because I still want to be that electric guy,” Berry says. “And just adapt to that type of atmosphere and the SEC, playing bigger and better competition.”
From a personal stance, Berry wants to focus on becoming “more mature as a man” and “taking on things to be accountable for [himself].”
Family holds a special place in his heart.
Throughout his football career, Berry’s parents have pushed him in various ways both on and off the field.
“Besides God, family is the number one priority for me,” Berry says. “Honestly, I just want to be close with them. I want them to be able to cheer me on throughout this process.”
With continuing about how much family means to him, Berry explains, “I know, obviously, the end goal is to get to the NFL. By then, you don’t know where you’re going to go. So I mean, just being close to them and having them by my side… it means something to me.”
The Saint Martin Episcopal Saints went on to win impressively, with a final score of 36 to 17.
Harlem Berry finished with 138 rushing yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown… and apparently a forced fumble as a cornerback on defense?
It’s only a matter of time before fans watch Harlem Berry celebrate a touchdown in Tiger Stadium.