ANDERSON, Ind. —
A large contingent of fans gathered around a quarterback following the Colts’ practice at Anderson University on Sunday.
But it wasn’t No. 1 pick Andrew Luck they had come to see. It was the man on the opposite end of the draft, pick No. 253 Chandler Harnish.
A native of Bluffton, Harnish is a product of Norwell High School, where the record-setting QB carried the 14-1 Knights to the state championship game his senior year. The 6-2, 220-pounder was a four-year starter at Northern Illinois University, leading the Huskies to four bowl games. Now he’s in Colts training camp as the third QB, just an hour away from home and a ton of support.
But being the hometown hero also adds a certain amount of pressure.
“You never want to mess up. You never want to throw an interception, and I did today. I threw two of them,” Harnish said. “But at the end of the day I’m just happy to have their support and have them here.”
Harnish’s fan club got to see his debut as a holder on special teams, a familiar and “natural” role for the rookie. He filled it each year as a Huskie.
“That’s something that’s just kind of recently come along with some injuries here and there,” Harnish said. “Hey, anything I can do to help the team, I’m more than willing.”
For now, that includes getting a limited number of reps. But Harnish says he’s learning from Luck, watching what his fellow rookie does on and off the field.
“He’s got some great habits as far as studying, taking care of his body and being a leader that I can definitely learn from,” Harnish said. “Every day is a challenge, but when you’ve got a guy like that in your corner that you’re a friend with, it makes things a lot easier.”
The QB is striving for consistency during his limited action. He’d like to show the coaches he can be like a “great type of middle relief pitcher, come in and throw strikes when I need to.”
He should get his chance next Sunday during the Colts’ first preseason game against the Rams. He intends to take full advantage of it.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to show that I belong,” Harnish said, “but at the end of the day, I just have to be prepared and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
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Colts rookie quarterback Chandler Harnish. John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin
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Harnish is hometown favorite
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