COLUMBUS, Ohio — J-Shun Harris II walked into Saturday's postgame media session without a limp or hobble in his step.
The senior wide receiver carried himself with the smoothness and suaveness any other player might have after producing the kind of performance he did in IU’s 49-26 loss at Ohio State.
Harris set collegiate career-highs with his eight receptions and 104 receiving yards on the night.
“This is the best I've felt since freshman year,” Harris said.
For most players, this might be a throwaway statement — but not for Harris.
Yes, he’s the guy that's coming off a third ACL tear he suffered last season and the same guy who has made his biggest mark as a dangerous weapon in the punt return game with three career return touchdowns.
But as Harris continues to chalk up one productive outing after another, he said he’s been trying to prepare himself for whatever challenges — or opportunities — might present themselves.
As Saturday showed, he’s not just the punt return guy or even the ACL guy anymore. He’s building toward more than that.
With senior wide receiver Luke Timian and sophomore wide receiver Whop Philyor both relegated to the sideline by injuries in IU’s last two games, the 5-foot-8 Harris has emerged as a pint-sized production monster as the replacement possession receiver.
In IU’s win at Rutgers last week and in the loss Saturday, Harris combined for 15 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown.
“My mindset has always been practice like a starter because you never know when your opportunity is going to come,” Harris said. “The opportunity has been here the last couple weeks.”
Against Ohio State, Harris found himself in the spotlight of an uncharacteristic passing barrage from the Hoosiers that helped them remain within striking distance of the Buckeyes through the first half.
Sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey slung passes down the field with abandon and Harris, along with junior wide receiver Nick Westbrook, were his two main targets.
At one point midway through the second quarter, Harris managed to somehow snatch a one-handed grab that would ultimately set Ramsey up to find Westbrook in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown pass that would give the Hoosiers their final lead of the night.
“I’m not the guy to usually get up and catch jump balls,” Harris said. “But I’m glad Peyton trusted me enough in the scenario.”
Although IU’s offense has had unreliable success in the past few games, Harris’ teammates have had nothing but good things to say about the way he’s stepped up during that time.
“He's just stepped up and we've needed a guy to step up and make plays,” Ramsey said. “With Whop and Luke being out, he's extremely willing and works so hard, a guy that I can easily count on and trust.”
For Westbrook, who joined Harris in topping 100 receiving yards Saturday, his veteran teammate’s emergence has meant more than just having a consistent pass-catcher lined up next to him.
“It's always good to see, especially him with everything he's gone through, just to be able to see him keep ballin' out there and just keep making plays,” Westbrook said. “It just drives you that much more, saying like, 'hey man, it could be a lot worse.'"
Despite his budding confidence shining through after the game, there was still a somberness to Harris’ tone after the loss.
He said he knows there’s still room for improvement, recalling one dropped pass in the third quarter that would have helped his team convert a much-needed first down.
And yet, he still exuded confidence.
After his recent string of success, he’s found an advantageous approach to preparing for what lies ahead.
“The difference between freshman year and now is the mindset of not being nervous going out there,” Harris said. “I got that out of the way and understood my teammates trust me, so I have to play like a Big Ten receiver.”
