The left cornerback position is particularly difficult, because most quarterbacks are right-handed and don't throw across the field. On the left side, Tarczy has to respond to both post and comeback cuts; he also has to be prepared to switch coverage if his original man leaves the zone and a second receiver enters.

"Playing cornerback is like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation," Wilkinson added. "If a cornerback makes a mistake and the wide receiver gets by him, there's generally no one there to help him out, but he also has to watch for the run."

But Tarczy rarely gets beaten. Defensive Backfield Coach, Leo Fanning lists Tarczy's ability to recover, his good hand-eye coordination, his speed, and his quickness as his best skills.

Wilkinson echoed Fanning's statement. "Kenny has a tremendous ability to break on the ball, you can't ask for any more out of a ballplayer," the linebacker says. "He's aggressive yet agile, he plays the pass well, and he plays the run well. On the run, the cornerback might have to take on a guard, shed off a block, and then make the tackle, and Kenny does it well."

Yale Coach Carm Cozza has nothing but praise for the senior cornerback. "He reacts beautifully to the ball, and he's matured a lot, but all four backs are excellent. Harvard has the best secondary around."

Tarczy feels, however, that there is much room for improvement in his run support. He would like to work on his quickness and strength in order to bolster his ability to stop any momentum-gathering runner.

While others praise Tarczy for his speed and quickness, he values his mental strengths before any other asset. "I guess the intensity and concentration with which I approach the game is one of my strong points," he says. "Studying receivers and knowing the game plan are part of the preparation involved.

"I enjoy playing the top teams and top receivers," Tarczy continues. "It's a challenge, and that's what makes the game fun."

And Tarczy is not one to take his fun lightly. "Kenny," according to Fanning, "has his body and mind, heart and soul wrapped up in Harvard football.