Grant Harper knows where he stands entering his junior year at UC Davis. That will again be on the sideline, where the quarterback spent most of the past two seasons. With Miles Hastings in his third season as the starter, Harper will likely play only in garbage time of a lopsided victory or loss.
Harper played briefly in two games last year, a 48-10 victory at Texas A&M-Commerce and a 55-7 loss at Oregon State. His three appearances in 2022 came in wins over Northern Colorado (56-10), Cal Poly (59-17) and Northern Arizona (56-27). In those five games, he threw a total of 18 passes.
At least the left-hander completed 13 of those attempts for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Harper would be a prime candidate to enter the transfer portal with little hope of getting more playing time at UC Davis. He is staying put, however, regardless of how much he playa in 2024.
“Never” was Harper’s response when asked if he had ever considered going elsewhere. “I’m here. I’m staying here. I’m here for the long run,” Harper said. “I think it’d be worth if I hadn’t throw one pass. I love all the guys and playing with them whether I’m on the field or not.”
Head coach Tim Plough was a quarterback at UC Davis and did not start until his senior season in 2007. It is almost as he is looking into a mirror with Harper because their careers are so similar. Plough noted one difference when he admitted Harper “is much better looking than me.”
Head coach Tim Plough was a quarterback at UC Davis and did not start until his senior season in 2007. It is almost as he is looking into a mirror with Harper because their careers are so similar. Plough noted one difference when he admitted Harper “is much better looking than me.”
“He’s a far better player than I ever was,” Plough added. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he could start for half the teams in our conference. To see where he is today and what he has had to overcome mentally and emotionally, I’m very proud of him. We’re a better team with Grant Harper.”
Harper was recruited by Plough when Harper was a senior at Campolindo High School in Moraga in 2020 and Plough was the Aggies offensive coordinator. Plough ignored the thought that having a left-handed quarterback is not worth the headache of adjusting the offense.
“I know guys who do that for that purpose. There’s some staffs and coaches that stay away from recruiting or signing left-handed quarterbacks,” Plough said. “I never looked at it that way. Grant was extremely accurate, someone who was athletic, a multisport guy and extremely motivated.”
Plough did not get to see if all of Harper’s qualities would come to fruition with the Aggies. Plough was gone by the time UC Davis played five games in the spring of 2021 after COVID-19 led to the 2020 fall season being canceled. Plough left to become the offensive coordinator at Boise State.
Harper found no fault in Plough’s decision even though he was disappointed after looking forward to learning from Plough. “I totally respect what he did. I would have taken that opportunity as well,” Harper said. “To see it come full circle, to finally get to play for him. I’m fired up and can’t wait for it.”
Reflecting on his departure is difficult for Plough because he still feels as if he abandoned the five quarterbacks he recruited to UC Davis. His return after one season as the tight ends coach at Cal and the offer to remain with the Golden Bears as their offensive coordinator speaks to his loyalty.
Plough made a pledge to those quarterbacks’ parents that he could take of their sons and develop each to his potential. He returned just in time to finish that. “The one positive thing from COVID is a lot of these guys are still here,” he said. “I get one last hurrah with a lot of my boys I recruited.”
There have been few hurrahs for Harper despite sharing in the team’s’ success. A touchdown pass in practice is a cause for celebration because he may never again throw one in a game. Learning to accept that has been as valuable as any class he has taken toward earning a degree in economics.
Harper never considers coasting in practice because he does not need much preparation to stand on thee sideline. He is determined to be ready just in case he is ever needed by taking “every rep in practice as a game because I know I’m not going to get many (reps). I try to make the most of it.”
Plough recruited Harper because he was confident Harper had the work ethic to make the most of his time in Davis. “He takes every opportunity with the right mentality,” Plough said. “He has really cemented himself as a guy who can play here. We are confident in him if his numbers is called.”
Harper will be waiting … and ready.
