Imani Christian’s RJ Hart working to become even more productive

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 | 8:18 PM

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The Tribune-Review and the TribLive High School Sports Network are profiling each member of the 25-player Trib HSSN Preseason WPIAL Football All-Star team.

The players will be recognized at 2 p.m. July 24 during HSSN Media Day at Kennywood Park.

Wide receiver RJ Hart wants to haul in every catchable pass thrown his direction this season.

Does that set the bar high? Sure. But it's a personal goal the Imani Christian senior has worked toward in his backyard this summer with the help of a Jugs machine his family rented.

He has used the football-launching machine almost daily for the past two months. Each workout helps him strengthen his hands.

“We saw professional players doing it, so we decided to do it,” Hart said. “I think it helps a lot because the ball comes out real fast.”

With the Jugs speed set at 52 mph, Hart attempts 200 catches with two hands before switching to one-handed grabs.

“My hands definitely are sore after catching it,” he said.

But he is optimistic a little pain now will lead to feel-good celebrations this fall. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wideout and safety is a key two-way starter for Imani Christian, which fell one point short of the WPIAL Class A title last season. That 35-34 loss to Jeannette is a disappointment that lingers.

“We came up a point short from winning the WPIAL championship,” Hart said. “We're coming in pretty hungry.”

Hart made 63 catches for 978 yards and scored 11 times last season, his first with Imani after transferring from Plum. The three-star Rivals recruit committed to Ball State in May, choosing the Mid-American Conference school over offers from Army, Buffalo, Navy, Temple, Toledo and others.

Hart was the first of three WPIAL recruits to choose Ball State. Aliquippa teammates Will Gipson and Solvauhn Moreland committed to the Muncie, Ind., school in June.

“It was the best fit for me,” Hart said. “I feel like they know how to use me, and they'll prepare me for life after football.”

For now, he will lead an Imani offense that is in transition.

Last year's leading receiver, Sam Fairley (1,288 yards), graduated as did 1,000-yard rusher Asante Watkins and 2,000-yard passer Tawan Wesley. But Hart and returning quarterback Israel Reed are a connection that should keep scoreboard operators busy.

Imani scored 66 points or more three times last season.

Hart was used primarily as a deep threat and averaged 15 yards per catch but said he will line up in the slot more often and run routes across the middle. As he worked out with Reed this summer, he focused on strengthening his run-after-the-catch ability.

“I think that makes me a lot more versatile,” Hart said. “I'll be running every route this year.”

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.