Christian Brothers offensive lineman DJ Harden was born prematurely.
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, friends and family members had to wear masks and practice social distancing around DJ Harden.
He was born prematurely, weighing four pounds and six ounces, and doctors warned that his body would have a tough time fighting off infections. His dad, Darrell Harden, remembers having DJ sleep on his chest in a reclining chair and being so worried that he'd periodically put DJ'S nose to his ear to check if he was still breathing.
"He had heart monitors and all this equipment to make sure his heart would keep beating for the first year, year and a half of his life," his dad said. "He was so tiny when we brought him home, they put him inside of a Christmas stocking. You know those little 99-cent stockings you buy at Walmart? I think if I look around I can find it somewhere. They put him in one of those and said, 'Here you go, here is your son.'"
But you would never know that from looking at DJ Harden now.
The 17-year-old Christian Brothers senior is a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman who has offers from Tennessee, Indiana, Eastern Kentucky and Ut-martin. He's rated as a three-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite.
And he's one of the best shot-putters in the state. He finished third at the DII-AA state meet in 2019 as a sophomore. He didn't get a chance to compete last year because Spring Fling was canceled due to COVID-19.
"He's very physical and very tough. Never misses a practice. He's always doing what you're asking of him," coach Thomas Mcdaniel said. "And he's a really good player. He's started since he was a sophomore, which says a lot about him. He can play multiple positions, he's athletic enough to play tackle but big and
strong enough to play inside at the college level."
How Memphis became 'home' after Hurricane Katrina
Harden was born in New Orleans and lived about 30 miles north in Slidell, Louisiana, a city of just under 30,000 on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, until he was almost 3 years old.
That's when Hurricane Katrina hit. His dad, who is from Lexington, Tennessee, had some family in Memphis. So he, his wife, and DJ came to stay in the Bluff City, initially planning to return to Louisiana when the storm was over.
"I remember pulling up the Google Earth pictures of our address and I was like 'oh my God' we will not be returning back to Louisiana," his dad said. "Because our house was flooded pretty much to the roof."
Not long after, DJ Harden began to grow and started playing sports. He was making friends, which was important as an only child. So that, along with other factors, like his dad having to recover from a motorcycle crash in 2008, led the family to stay in Memphis long term.
"I don't remember much about Louisiana before Katrina," Harden said. "But when we go back my parents take me to where we would go when I was a baby. So Memphis is home now, I really grew up here so I can say Memphis is home."
Paving the way for the area's top rushing offense
Christian Brothers, which is set to host Montgomery Bell Academy at 7 p.m. Friday, will clinch the DII-AAA West region title if it beats the Big Red.
The Purple Wave average a Shelby
County-best 237.9 rushing yards per game.
Four-star running back Dallan Hayden has 1,716 yards and 22 touchdowns through seven games and is averaging 9.2 yards per carry.
But he'd be the first person to tell you he doesn't put up those kinds of numbers alone.
"I can't do it without my offensive line. Every time I have a big game and rush for over 100 yards, I buy them donuts. I just haven't had a chance to get them this week." said Hayden, who rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns in last week's loss to Conway (Arkansas).
"I'd say DJ is a big part of opening up holes for me. It's a blessing to have him on the line for sure."
Mcdaniel said that Harden sets an example for younger linemen on and off the field.
"He's one of the most coachable and team-oriented kids. A hard worker," Mcdaniel said. "He's dedicated in everything he does and I think he's been a great example for a kid like Patrick Kutas (who has offers from Mississippi State, Memphis, and others) with how he operates day in and day out in the weight room and at practice. Just an allaround unbelievable kid."
Harden said that Eastern Kentucky and Ut-martin are recruiting him the hardest at the moment. He said that the Tennessee offer came after Christian Brothers fell to eventual state champ Mccallie in the DII-AAA quarterfinals last year, but that he hasn't been communicating with the Vols much lately. He says his recruitment is still open.
"Last year I picked up a couple of offers and was planning on going to camp this year but COVID hit," Harden said. "So the recruiting process has been kind of slow, but I'm hoping to get back into it soon. I've been hitting up coaches sending my highlights, emailing them, sending them messages on Twitter, just trying to get my name out there."