VYPE: First, I want to ask about this season and how it’s going for your team. You guys have won some big games!
Harrison Utley: It’s gone really well. We lost most of our skill positions on offense, so we have a bunch of players getting more comfortable each game. The good thing is that if one side of the ball isn’t firing, the other side has been able to step it up to help balance things out. We’ve had success, but our best football is still in front of us. We want to be peaking heading into the playoffs.
VYPE: What was the mission for this team this offseason? And have you accomplished what you’d hoped to accomplish by now?
HU: Our mission this year and the last three since I’ve been playing varsity is continual improvement. We want to be better each week and improve from one season to the next. The last three years, we have been able to increase our win total each season over the previous season and we have put ourselves into position to continue the trend this year.
VYPE; How did your football journey begin? How old were you?
HU: I’ve always played football as long as I can remember at home and on the playground. Because I was heavy into baseball, I didn’t play organized football until middle school. The only thing that changed was moving from QB to the line, but I could probably still see myself in the backfield in short yardage situations if we ever needed it.
VYPE: What’s something about Harrison that everybody should know?
HU: I am trying to be aware of the presence of God within me and in the world. I think people and the world would benefit by spending time thinking about who they really are inside and what God means to them.
VYPE: Which player from an opposing team do you respect most, and why?
HU: Holden Kee from Yukon. I played with Holden through my freshman year and I saw first hand how much work he put into developing his skills. I played a lot of baseball and was out at the practice facility most days and I would show up to see Holden working out just about everyday on his own. He was very dedicated. He moved in 10th grade and had to battle through injuries, so his senior year is the first healthy season he’s had in a long while. He’s been doing really well up in Yukon and I’m really happy for him and proud of his ability to keep going through all of the adversity.
VYPE: Who was your football idol growing up?
HU: I started following quarterbacks mainly. At first, I liked to watch Ben Roethlisberger because I thought I could model my game after his, but when Baker Mayfield came to OU, he quickly became my favorite. I really liked his backstory and how he didn’t listen to doubters and made his own way. This answer probably doesn’t play too well with our fans from Kansas, but hopefully they can understand where I’m coming from.
VYPE: You went viral this summer when you stood on your Kansas commitment even after your hometown school, OU, offered you a spot — why is loyalty important to you?
HU: I think it’s important to be about something bigger than yourself. This could mean being part of a team, but also showing the behavior you would like to see from your teammates. It is important to actually demonstrate your values and not just talk about them. I feel that Kansas is the best fit for me and I believe in what the coaches and players are building in Lawrence.
VYPE: What do you hope to accomplish at KU?
HU: I hope to be a part of a group that continues the work started before us and goes on to win championships at Kansas. Raising the bar and establishing Kansas football as a legitimate contender year in and year out are my main goals on the field. Off the field, I would like to get involved and try to make a difference in the community.
VYPE: What are your future goals and ambitions outside of football?
HU: In addition to being involved in the community, I would like to pursue a career in athletic administration so I can stay involved in sports while mentoring athletes to help them achieve their goals.
