Hall of Fame
Harper, a 1977 graduate now preparing for his fifth season with the New York Jets, is the four-time American Football Conference combined yardage champion. He was an honorable mention Little All-American in 1976 and had a three-year rushing total of 2,169 yards. He was the first Kutztown running back to gain 1,000 yards in a season. Harper, a 5-8, 177-pound utility man for the Jets, led the AFC in all-purpose yards with 1,867 as a free-agent rookie in 1977. He was named Pro Rookie of the year by the New Jersey Writers Association. He was the Jets’ leading receiver in 1980 with 50 catches for 634 yards and his receiving yardage was tops for all running backs in the NFL. A Dwight Morrow (N.J.) High graduate, Harper holds the NFL record with 55 kickoff returns, set in 1978 and tied in ’79, and has nine Jet team marks.
