Derrick Harvey: Making Himself at Home
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 | Football
By Meghan Gannon, UF Sports Information
For someone who was ready to walk away from the University of Florida before his first year had even come to a close, Derrick Harvey has made a name for himself with the Gators. As someone who nearly led the SEC in sacks last season, Harvey has resolved to be better this season. He currently sits fourth in the league with five sacks, just three behind the leader.
The determination and dedication that surrounds Harvey are not something that he has developed recently, they are traits that he was raised with, something that he was brought up to recognize. For the redshirt junior from Greenbelt, Md., Harvey is somewhat reluctant to stand in the spotlight. Although he would love to hold the SEC sacks' title at the end of the year, the outcome of his team is what keeps him driven.
Harvey grew up with unwavering family support. When it came time for him to choose a college, it was his mother that told him to do what was best for him. His family never questioned his decision; if anything they welcomed a new challenge. That challenge for them would be making it to Gainesville for each and every game that Harvey played in.
At the beginning, the defensive lineman admits that he needed them to be there, he needed to know that they really did support him and that there was someone who believed in him. Over the course of the year, however, he developed such a close relationship with tight end Cornelius Ingram that he began to feel more at home, he began to feel like he belonged in Gainesville with the rest of the Gators and that his time would come shortly.
When head coach Urban Meyer arrived in Gainesville, Harvey once again questioned his place at Florida, but after a brief meeting and time to get acclimated with new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, Harvey made the decision to stay, he made the decision to play and he made the decision to lead.
"It wasn't easy," said Harvey of all the changes and the new adjustments that he needed to make all over again, "but I wanted to come to Florida, so I planned on sticking with it."
Mattison wasted no time in recognizing Harvey's talents. The defensive guru recognized quickly that Harvey was adjusting and improving. He also wasted no time in letting Meyer know that Harvey would be an impact player at Florida. Little did the pair know what kind of impact the youngster would have during the Gators' magical run to the school's second national championship in football.
When Florida arrived in Arizona to play Ohio State for the Tostitos BCS National Championship, Mattison dropped as many compliments on Harvey as he could. "Derrick has been one of the reasons we're here," Mattison said. "A year ago, he was kind of feeling his way to see where he fit in."
Now, Harvey knows where he fits. He is regarded among the best defensive ends in the SEC and the country. In his last six games he has recorded eight sacks and is currently ranked sixth among active players with 17 career sacks. At the end of last season, he promised to be better. Harvey was quick to say that he didn't end the year the way he wanted or expected to, but vowed to be better.
"I should have led the SEC in sacks, but I kind of slipped up in the end," he said. "I had a pretty good year, but I will have a better one next year. The sky is the limit."
These were bold words for someone who just a year earlier was ready to walk away from the Gators. This season, Harvey leads his defense in sacks and is currently on the Watch List for the Lott Trophy, presented to the college football's defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Entering this weekend, he has sacked the opposing quarterback five times for a total loss of 35 yards. The combination of comfort, a new coaching staff and sheer will power has propelled Harvey into a leadership role with the Gators, forcing him to help the newest Gators through everything that he went through just three years ago.
For a player who had spent so much time questioning whether he had made the right decision and looking for the support of his family to get him through, Harvey is quick to recognize that he wouldn't still be a Gator had it not been for the support of his family. Meyer also recognizes that progress that Harvey has made and the change that has come over the Maryland native.
"My expectations are as high as his are and so is our defensive coaches," said Meyer. "Derrick is above and beyond where we thought he'd be as a leader and a football player. He goes as hard as he can and he's got a tremendous future."
A member of the 2007 Leadership Committee, Harvey has a bright future for someone who wanted to leave campus after a month. He has a bright future for someone who takes a little encouragement to share his thoughts. A bright future for someone who has made the decision to lead his team no matter what the cost is to him.
-UF-
