ORLANDO, Fla. — St. Martin's Episcopal standout Harlem Berry verbally committed to LSU during ESPN's live broadcast of the Under Armour All-American Game on Wednesday.
Considered by multiple football recruiting sites as Louisiana's top player and the nation's No. 1 running back in the class of 2025, Berry made his announcement from the sideline of the annual high school all-star game in Orlando, Fla.
"There's no place like home," said Berry, when asked about choosing LSU over Florida and Texas. "I honestly feel I will develop well there. I will definitely be a different style of back. Just plan to go ball out now and trust that LSU will get me to where I need to be."
After capturing his second straight state track title in the 100-meter dash (10.57) as a sophomore, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound back with 4.37-second 40-yard speed led the Saints to a 9-2 record and the LHSAA Select Division IV state football quarterfinals as a junior.
At the start of the 2023 season, Berry was named the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club player of the month in September after rushing for 805 yards and 16 scores in just four games.
According to Crescentcitysports.com, Berry ran for 2,080 yards on 158 carries (13.2 avg.) with 37 touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 401 yards and seven TDs.
CCS also attributed Berry with 36 tackles on defense, including three for loss with a sack. He also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, and returned an interception 62 yards for a score.
Berry fielded offers from nearly every major Power 5 program in the country, including LSU, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and USC. He said he made the decision now so he could turn his attention toward his senior season.
"I just wanted to focus on my senior year," Berry said. "Not to have too much pressure, with the recruiting and all this going on next year and also trying to graduate early, too."
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