By: Mark Stainton

There have been many players in the history of Florida football that were exciting. Through the years they have come from all different positions. It is fitting that the most exciting player in Florida football history didn’t really have one position. He had two. He was both wide receiver and running back. Harvin had 194 rushes at UF for 1851 yards and 19 touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 9.5 yards per carry. He also had 133 receptions for 1929 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns averaging 14.5 yards per catch. Harvin was great at two positions and if you had to describe him in one word, it would be electric.

It wasn’t much of a surprise that the junior declared for the NFL draft. His only negative was his knack for getting injured, but much of that was due to an ongoing heel problem he had coming out of high school. Harvin decided to only run the 40-yard dash and do the bench press at the NFL combine, saving all of his cutting and pass catching drills for the UF Pro Day on March 15th. Harvin ran an unofficial 20 time of 4.37 in the 40-yard dash and an official time of 4.41, the 6th fastest time for a receiver, faster than Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree (who did not run.) Harvin also pushed up 225 lbs. 19 times which was 5th most of any receiver at the combine. Harvin’s combination of strength and speed is very rare, and his open field moves should be downright illegal.

While measuring his speed and strength is a way to determine how good he can be, the true test for Harvin is the eye test. If you watch film on the guy, he is a playmaker. He goes from first gear to top speed relatively quickly, and he has a rare ability to make cuts while maintaining a very high velocity. The fact the he ran for 9.5 yards per carry for 3 seasons in the SEC should tell you all you need to
know about how prepared he is for the NFL. Harvin will likely go in the top 20 in the draft. Some mock drafts like Mel Kiper’s have Harvin going as high as 17th to the Jets.

Harvin could improve his draft stock by having a good Pro Day, prospects usually run a fast 40 time at their Pro Day, and his willingness to do the other drills has some NFL scouts salivating. Harvin is unlikely to crack the top 10 because of the questions regarding his durability, but whatever team gets him will be getting a very special player. It was a pleasure watching Harvin slice and dice
the SEC for the last=2 03 years.