Interview: 3-Star 2022 Power Back Tomarion Harden Ready to Roll with Inglewood
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2019 season, Tomarion Harden brought the pain out of the Narbonne backfield rushing for an estimated 500-plus yards with at least nine touchdowns flexing his power and speed. When the 2020 California high school football season gets going this month, the 6-1, 225-pound, three-star back will be rolling over a new set of defenders with Inglewood High School.
As the Sentinels prepare to take the field, Harden stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed conversation updating his roles with his new squad, his preparations for the season, and his recruiting process that includes five offers dropped.
Interview
Tomarion, coming downhill out of the backfield has to be fun for you. You have the rare mix of power and speed. How would you describe your style as a tailback?
Yeah, I feel like I have learned to utilize my power more. I am bigger than most running backs and I am fast. I have worked at being more patient, reading the holes, and knowing the concepts between inside, outside zone, and counters. This offseason I have worked at getting better all around.
When the 2019 season had ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game?
From my freshman to my sophomore year, I was a lot faster. My body was changing in a positive way. I was learning concepts and the plays. I was playing against better competition which helped make me better.
Throughout the extended offseason how have you worked to add more speed and agility to your skills?
Perfect question. This offseason, when it first started I was running at a local park keeping up my stamina. Some of my teammates had weights, I’d lift with them when I could but some of them lived far away. I have weights now and I have a good size yard. At home I have been lifting weights and working on the turf back there. I get a workout back there even now that we have been practicing. Coronavirus only stopped when we played, it didn’t stop me from getting better. I took advantage of that time.
What are some of the workouts you’ve been doing to increase your power?
I have been working for more arm strength and benching; that has increased a lot. I am getting better at cleans and better at lunges; that has helped my overall strength too. I have been doing the ladders, doing explosive workouts, and I stretch a lot too.
Have you been able to max out this offseason?
My bench is three plates, but that was a while back. When I squat, I am using four-plates going 10 times. I am not sure of my max on squat, probably five plates now.
Did you put down a 40 time this offseason?
Yes, I ran a 4.6 at a camp.
What style of offense will you be running this season with the Sentinels?
We do multiple stuff. We run some in the spread out of the gun, some in a pistol, and we might go under center in heavy packages to get the run game going.
How are they feeding you the rock this season?
Mainly on inside zone and counters. Our linemen pull and get to the backers for me. They have some outside zone and stuff like that for mee too. Every now and again a screen.
When is your first game?
I am hearing it is on March 26.
Who are you guys playing?
I think we play Leuzinger.
How does it feel to be back in the pads with your teammates focused on a goal?
The pads are coming on today. It feels great to be back with my teammates. We’ve had Zoom meetings going over the playbook, but this feels good. It has been since November 2019 for me; it has been a long time.
What do you want to showcase this spring after the year-plus layoff?
I want to showcase that I have improved a lot and that I have been taking advantage of this time. I also want to show that I can play at the next level.
Speaking of, which schools are showing interest?
Cal, UCLA, Washington, and Notre Dame every now and again.
How many offers are you holding?
Five.
Harden’s Offer Sheet: Colorado, Kansas, Michigan State, Oregon State, and Utah
Which team was the first to offer?
Utah, when I was a freshman.
And the legend grows. When visits get going this summer are there any schools you might go see?
I want to visit all the schools that have offered me. Not just one, I want to see all of them.
Tomarion, thank you for your time today. Wishing you and the team success this spring on the field.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Harden family; Tomarion Harden (2019)
thanks alot of information