1 / 3

BYU safety Micah Harper attempts to make a tackle during the game against Liberty at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2022.

Courtesy BYU Photo

2 / 3

BYU's Micah Harper reacts to a defensive play during a game against Wyoming at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Courtesy BYU Photo

3 / 3

BYU defensive back Micah Harper makes a tackle during the 45-14 Cougar win over Louisiana Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.

BYU Photo

❮ ❯

Ask any BYU football fan what they remember about watching junior safety Micah Harper in action and their response will almost certainly be the big hits.

Harper never shied away from an opportunity to punish an opposing ball carrier while bringing him to the ground.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, their supporters and Harper himself, it’s been a while since the junior has been able to make those signature plays.

After he missed the 2021 season with a knee injury, Harper ended up as the third leading tackler on the BYU defense in 2022 with 62 tackles.

There were high hopes for him in 2023 — only to have them dashed before he really got going with another devastating knee injury.

“It was tough at first, especially mentally, with it being the second time tearing my ACL,” Harper said after practice on Tuesday. “But I think it was all part of God’s plan. When you live in faith, walk by faith and not by sight, it makes everything easier.”

For a player with Harper’s aggressive mentality, it can be tough to rein things in even when recovering from being hurt. Anyone watching him at practice can probably see it.

“I’ve been so excited to get back,” Harper said. “I’m over here itching to be out there and they’ve got to pull me back. I’m here calling out the offensive plays. Man, I just wish I was out there.”

Both Harper and BYU tight end Keanu Hill wear the same number on their jerseys — No. 1 — and they’ve both been Cougars for a number of years.

Hill said earlier in camp that when he has faced Harper in a drill, he knows he is in for a battle.

“He’s a technician and he’s aggressive,” Hill said. “I feel like that comes with confidence. It’s always fun going against him. I just can’t wait until he gets back.”

Hill said he asked Harper in the locker room how long it would be until he was back and told him, “we’ve got to get to work because I know how you are.”

Hill added that even though Harper has had to deal with the injuries, he continues to believe in himself and find ways to help the team.

“Even when he is hurt, he always has that confidence in him that he’s that guy still,” Hill said. “He is always keeping God in his life and he’s always been confident. He’s also been in leadership while he’s not playing as well. Every time I get up there, he’ll try to coach the other guys on what to do. He’s doing really well just as a leader.”

Harper said that physically he feels like he is where he should be at this point.

“I’m doing great right now, feeling good,” Harper said. “I’m now six months out after surgery and I’m moving laterally well. I’m full speed going back and forth, so I’m doing well.”

He said he has complete trust in the staff who are helping him get ready to return in time for fall camp.

“They do a great job here at BYU getting the right people here,” Harper said. “I felt comfortable in trusting them with my rehab process.”

He said that his advice to other athletes who have to go through recovering from a tough injury like he has is to “attack every day.”

“If you are scared out there that something might happen again, it might,” Harper said. “But you can’t live your life in fear.”

Newsletter