newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

PISCATAWAY – Gary Nova hit a wide open Mark Harrison in stride who would have waltzed into the end zone, giving Rutgers the lead and momentum in a crucial conference game. But Harrison was unable to haul in the pass as the ball slipped through his fingertips.

The drop midway through the fourth quarter against Louisville is a summation of Harrison’s biggest problem last year.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder lost focus. An issue the receiver admitted he had all of last season.

“Just not as focused as I should have been,” Harrison said of last season after Rutgers' practice today. “Really thinking about the result before I’m actually making the play.”

Harrison concluded that was the main reason he didn’t build upon his breakout sophomore season where he recorded 44 receptions for 829 yards and nine touchdowns.

Sure, Mohamed Sanu took away from all the receivers’ touches with his Big East record 115 catches. Then there’s the fact that Rutgers had moved from a spread offense back to a pro style with a new offensive coordinator.

But Harrison doesn’t blame either. In his mind, the issue was between his ears. He was thinking about the future instead of the present.

His sophomore season had put him on the NFL’s radar. If he'd built upon it in his junior year, he may have been able to consider joining Sanu in forgoing his senior year and enter the draft.

“I think a lot of people in their junior years coming off a great sophomore season are thinking about the NFL right off the bat and not really focusing on what they need to be working on,” Harrison said.

Himself included.

“Yeah, exactly,” Harrison said when asked if thinking about the NFL played a part in him losing focus. “And it showed on the field. Thinking about the result. That’s all it was. Can’t really think about the future and just have to stay in the present and stay focused. ”

So as he participates in his final spring practice, he’ll have to be what many expected him to be after his sophomore season this fall to get back on the NFL radar.

But Harrison insists he’s not even thinking about the NFL. He’s focusing on how he can be better as an individual to help the team win a Big East Championship.

With spring practice underway, Harrison’s put the disappointing 14 catch, 274 yard and two touchdown season behind him. The Stratford, CT native called it a humbling experience. One he thinks will help him in the long run.

However it’s in the past, and Harrison is focused on the present. He doesn’t think about his drop at Louisville any more. He hasn’t let it eat away at him.

Nevertheless, while he makes sure he pays attention to detail there’s no better place to look than the past.

“Just watching the film and correcting yourself so you don’t make the same mistake twice. That’s what I’ve been doing [to practice staying focused],” Harrison said. “I’ve been watching the Louisville game, and I’ve been critiquing myself every day that I need to stay focused and lock in on the ball.”

For more Rutgers football coverage follow Matt Sugam on Twitter @MattSugam and on Facebook.