Wichita, KS – Kendrick Harper made his Indoor Football League debut March 7 in the Wichita Wild’s 70-59 loss to Nebraska. Harper, who came off the bench, made the most of his opportunity, recording six tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
“I think I contributed a lot,” said Harper by phone on Monday. “I didn’t start so it really motivated me when I finally got in there.”
Harper, who graduated from Hart County in 2004 and the University of Kansas in 2009, said there’s a big difference in the arena-style game vs. the regular, outdoor variety.
“It’s a lot faster,” said Harper, who is playing defensive back for the Wild. “The wide receivers can get a 10-yard head start and hit the line of scrimmage at full speed. You just have to maintain your leverage inside and keep your eyes on the receiver and not in the backfield.”
The other big change for Harper was the type of shoes he has to wear.
“I’m used to wearing football cleats,” he said. “In this game you have to wear tennis shoes or indoor soccer cleats. It’s taking some getting used to.”
Harper said the team practices at 6 p.m each day so he works as a substitute teacher during the day. He says his Wild salary is “pretty decent.”
The Wild played their second game March 12, a 55-41 loss to Green Bay. Harper said he didn’t dress for that game.
“They only dress 21 guys for each game,” he said. “They were giving some of the other guys an opportunity to see what they can do.”
Harper hopes he can have a good season in Wichita, then parlay it into something bigger.
“I have goals,” he said. Hopefully I can do good enough this season to get some looks from the UFL (United Football League), CFL (Canadian Football League), or NFL. But I’m going to leave it in God’s hands and see where it goes.”
The Wild return to action March 26 against the Sioux Falls Storm.