DITR: Mikal Harrison-Pilot

Mikal Harrison-Pilot is a Class of 2023 Athlete for Temple High School in Temple, Texas. At 6’0” 185 lbs, Mikal has a universal build to play wide receiver, free safety, and quarterback at a very high level. Mikal primarily shows off his talent at the receiver position with over 500 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns this last season. MHP can either turn a simple screen pass into 6 or burn a hole through your secondary. However, this isn’t the only position Pilot masters, he can tear defenses apart through the air or on the ground at quarterback. The dual position athlete can also lock up your offense with his elite pass coverage skills and speed, as he ran a 4.4 40-yard dash. With his variety of positions and skills, Mikal Harrison-Pilot is a player to look out for in his junior season.

Check out Mikal’s highlights.

Why did you choose to play football and when did you start?

I chose to play football because it was my favorite sport to watch when I was growing up and I started playing at 7.

What skills has football taught you over time?

Football has taught me many things, how to get better every day, it improved my IQ, it also showed me how to work in a team setting.

What’s your thought process when you get to the line of scrimmage in any position?

At wide receiver, I read the defense, at quarterback I see what coverage the defense is in, at free safety I look at receivers leverage and the what audibles the quarterback makes.

Would you consider yourself a RAC (Run After Catch), Possession, or a go up and get it type of receiver?
A RAC, I catch the ball and just go.

Do you act as an agile receiver who avoids contact, or do you not shy away from it?

As a Wide Receiver, what is your favorite route to run? Why?

A go route, no one going to catch me or get me stuck on the line.

Would you rather have the corner press up, or play off of you?

I like the corner to play off, that creates more space to make a play, but it doesn’t matter if I get pressed or played off of.

How do you get open so often?

My release, getting leverage on the defensive back, which creates harder angles for corners to get to me.

What would you consider your main position to be?

Wider Receiver, but it doesn’t matter where I am, I just want to make a contribution to the team.

What are some advantages you give your team by playing 3 positions?

Some advantages I give my team are my ability to see the soft spots in the defense and my universalism on the football field.

Do you have any aspirations to play both sides of the ball at the next level?

If it’s possible I would love to.

What current or past player, do you think your game mirrors the most?

On offense Deandre Hopkins and Ed Reed on defense.

How do you think playing baseball and track has helped you be a better football player?

Baseball a and basketball have kept me in shape and improved my IQ.

Outside of sports, do you have any hobbies you like to do?

Play the game when I have free time, homework and rest.

In your opinion, what is the best aspect of your game?

My ability to catch ball and route running, also my ability to play multiple position.

How do you think Covid-19 impacted your sophomore season?

We had zoom calls in the summer, some days we would try to practice, we also didn’t have access to the gym, so we had to work out from home.

Do you have any goals for your junior season?

I want to win district and district MVP, and just working on my footwork.

At the end of the day, who is someone you look up to?

My dad, always helping me with everything I do, and he keeps my stats.

Describe a time where you were going through adversity, how did you get through it?

Freshman year when I started as a varsity, people said I only started because my dad was a coach, so I had to prove them wrong.

Finally, what are colleges going to get out of MHP?

Colleges are going to get a great leader, who’s accountable, respectful, trustworthy and who wants to have a positive impact on the program.