Countdown to Canes Football: No. 12 Jahfari Harvey
Miami has seen a long history of tremendous pass rushers, and this year’s team should have several. Today’s Countdown to Canes Football player could be the best of the bunch.
Who’s been discussed before today? Here: Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Jahfari Harvey
Size: 6-foot-4, 255 pounds
Class: 5th-RS-JR
Position: Defensive End
Recruitment and Background
Having played at Vero Beach (Fla.) High School, Harvey knew what it was like to play in front of fired-up and raucous crowds. Scouts came to see him in droves as well. The Canes, Georgia, Michigan, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, Missouri and Mississippi State were among his offers.
He was a long and lean prospect in the 225 to 230-pound range, and the upside was obvious.
2020-2021
Harvey started to emerge as a rotational player and recorded 4 sacks and 12 tackles for loss from his first two years of being a defender in the rotation. He even had a pick-six at North Carolina.
2022 Statistics
Tackles: 31 tackles
Tackles for loss: 7.5
Sacks: 5.5
Pass breakups: 1
Looking Back at 2022
A seven-game starter, Harvey was one of the most disruptive players for the Miami defense. He crashed the edges as a pure speed rusher and created problems for opposing passers. He also did well when the Canes ran “games” up front with their defensive front, operating well when stunting or being used as a quarterback spy.
To that last point, Harvey displayed the ability to stop-and-start like a running back when tracking down some talented signal callers and running backs behind or near the line of scrimmage. No question, he’s proven to be a big-time athlete and versatile defender.
Game-Changing Plays
He had big moments during 2022. Point blank, will Harvey be a weekly big-play guy? He’s experienced enough, talented enough, and now it’s time to go make it happen!
Taking the Next Step
Harvey could be an All-American if he comes back healthy this fall and simply sticks to the plan. The speed, twitchiness, flexibility, and length to be an edge rusher have been established. To reach the next level and be recognized, he needs to add a defining category to his list of traits.
Playing the run head-up, with power. The edge rushers that usually make it to the upper echelon of college football and eventually the NFL Draft can play the run like they do the pass. Part of that task would be showcasing how Harvey can use good pad level even more often than he already has. Attack with leverage to take on much larger offensive tackles and stymie them with technique as much as he does with natural talent; that’s especially true in short yardage situations.
There were moments that happened in 2022. Just need to see it even more – for 12 games – and Harvey can be walking across the stage at the 2024 NFL Draft himself.
2023 Projection
Whether standing up or in a pass-rushing stance, Harvey will be a problem for opposing teams. He’s one of several talented pass rushers for Miami so it will be difficult to key in on him as well.
Look for Harvey to end up with 8 or more sacks, as well as double digits in tackles for loss. Being an All-ACC second or third team player should be at the bottom of the list for his goals. Again, Harvey has shown flashes of the ability to be an All-American player. 2023 should be big for him and the Canes.
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