Back in June, I wrote an article about an incoming junior from Freedom High School in Oakley, California who was beginning to make a name for himself on the football field. It was an honor to do an interview with him because he was turning into a star on the football field but he is a great family friend of mine who lives his life like a true Stanford kid. His name is Kyle Harmon. Between school, football, and time to just breathe before he repeats the process, I had a chance to talk with Kyle about how everything is going in his junior year.

NN23: Hey Kyle, I want to thank you before we start for finding some time to talk with me. I know you are a busy kid and it's only getting busier as you are taking harder classes, studying for those classes and important tests such as the SAT and ACT, and football.

KH: Thank you. It really means a lot. And is it ok if I study throughout this interview? (hahaha) I'm just kidding. So ask away.

NN23: So first off, how has school been so far as a junior? Would you say it's harder, easier, or the same as before?

KH: School has been more challenging this year but if you aren't challenging your mind then you aren't challenging yourself to be great. I'm always happy to test my limits in everything I do.

NN23: Are you still keeping up with your 4.0 GPA?

KH: Absolutely. If I want to become a student-athlete at the next level, I have to continue to push myself in the classroom first.

NN23: That is great to hear. So now to football. You said back in June that your team goal was to win the Bay Valley Athletic League. Right now you are 0-2 in league with only 3 games remaining. How do you guys continue to get pumped up when your team goal is all but gone?

KH: Well I am definitely not giving up that we are eliminated. Some things need to happen outside of our hands but it is still doable. Our team mentally just needs to get back into that winning mentality as we've lost a few games in a row. And those 2 losses were to teams that have 1 loss combined. I'm not into moral victories but we fought our butts off as a team and had both games right where we wanted.

NN23: Most young teams would crumble and start to point fingers but this team sounds like the exact opposite. You seem to be a big reason why.

KH: It's definitely not just me. We are a great group of guys and we have tremendous amounts of leadership throughout the team. We are smart enough and tough enough to see that even though our #1 goal was to win BVAL and it's going to be tough to accomplish at this point in the year, we can win out to end our season and make the playoffs with a chance at redemption.

NN23: Now I was doing some research and I'm not asking you, I am telling you that you are the best junior linebacker in the North Coast. Did you know that you lead in assisted tackles? And when it comes to the BVAL, you are the best linebacker PERIOD.

KH: Wow, I did not know about that. I try not to focus so much on my stats as much as my play but that means a lot. Thank you. I mean I look at it from a win-loss standpoint. If I could have made a few plays here and there, our record might be a little better.

NN23: You are playing a little bit of running back and fullback this year as well. What do you like more?

KH: I love playing linebacker and being able to move at all times but running someone over when I'm either running with the ball or trying to make a great block to help my running back is a great feeling. Pancaking someone on either side of the ball is great.

NN23: Now most people probably don't know you just yet but many know about your friend Najee Harris, an Alabama commit who is a running back for Antioch High School and is currently ranked 7th in the 2017 class. Do you feel any pressure that a friend of yours who plays in the same league has already gotten so much notoriety from other schools?

KH: No way. I know that God has a plan for me just like he has for Najee. Najee has earned everything he has been given so far and I just hope that I can continue to be the best person I can be, on and off the field.

NN23: You are a top 50 player in many categories but what is something that you feel the need to work on?

KH: This year, a lot of teams have ran plays away from me or have double-teamed me so I need to find ways to improve on my hand placement when I am trying to shed off blockers.

NN23: You still have a long way to go in your high school career but you are also at that place where you are starting to narrow things down college wise. Any comments on that?

KH: I have gone to some camps and some unofficial visits here and there but I have a few schools that are my targets that I am hoping to receive official visit offers from and eventually scholarships.

NN23: When I first met you, you knew I was a Stanford kid. I know you have watched Stanford and how the University is a great place for young men and women. Is Stanford still on your list?

KH: Stanford is the ultimate goal. Nerd Nation Baby!

NN23: I was a Shayne Skov guy but you remind me of a Blake Martinez type of guy. You play like him, you act like him. What have you noticed about him that you see in yourself?

KH: I love his demeanor. He is always "in the game" mentally until the clock hits 00:00. He is fundamentally sound and he has a great number too. For those who don't know, I wear #4 as well.

NN23: I bet you didn't know he was also overlooked by many programs and is now a midseason All-American.

KH: I knew about the All-American part but wow that's amazing. That is another reason to keep striving on the field.

NN23: Well I want to thank you again for taking some time out to talk to me. Hopefully in our next interview, we can talk about how you are receiving scholarships every day.

KH: Haha that would be awesome. Thank you for having me again. It really means a lot.

Freedom has 3 games left and a potential playoff berth on the line in their rivalry game against Liberty High School. Some athletes are recognized early on and some have to wait until the very end of their senior years. Hopefully Kyle Harmon has what it takes to be noticed as a great person than just a football player.