HARRISONBURG — K.C. Keeler knows plenty of coaches in the Colonial Athletic Association from his time at Delaware.

Keeler was the head coach of the Blue Hens for more than a decade through 2012.

He’s now the head coach at Sam Houston State and preparing to face a familiar CAA foe Friday when the Bearkats come to Bridgeforth Stadium to meet James Madison in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs.

In his preparation for JMU, one name keeps popping up.

“Taylor Reynolds, and I recruited Taylor when I was at Delaware,” Keeler said. “When you talk to guys in the CAA, they make a point of pointing him out in terms of being one of the best corners, if not the best corner, in the league.”

Reynolds, a Newark, Del., native is a three-time All-CAA selection at cornerback. He was a first-team choice this season.

In his final year at JMU, Reynolds has 40 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Keeler said if Reynolds had committed and signed to play at Delaware instead of JMU, he would have kept the local product at quarterback.

Reynolds led Newark High School to the state championship in his senior season when he threw for 1,884 yards, rushed for 723 yards and tallied 34 total touchdowns.

“In my recruiting spiel to him, I said, ‘[JMU] will make you a corner. I’m going to keep you as a quarterback,’” Keeler said. “I was right.

“But, he’s got a great family and his mom just loves to come watch him play. They’re really good people and I’m so happy for the success he’s had.”

On the field this week, Keeler said he knows his receiver will have to work to get open against the veteran cornerback.

“I know our guys are really impressed with him,” Keeler said. “He plays a great boundary corner and is real physical. He’s a really good football player and would’ve jumped out on film even if I didn’t know him.”