Class Impact: Jahfari Harvey to Miami

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Stefan Adams

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2019 Vero Beach DE Jahfari Harvey committed to the Canes on Wednesday night coming off a spectacular visit to campus last weekend with family.



The 6-3, 220-pounder is currently a 3-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Sports Composite, Harvey is the #652 player nationally, #47 WDE in the country, and the #88 player in the Sunshine State. His commitment moves Miami’s class ranking up to 7th on 247Sports and 4th on Rivals.


The Player

Harvey spent last season at John Carroll Catholic before transferring to Vero Beach in the off-season. John Carroll Catholic went just 2-7 last year, so not many were paying attention to Harvey whatsoever as he didn’t participate in many camps either. It was his junior season tape that caught the attention of college coaches and begun landing the 6'3", 220 pounder offers from schools like Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska, and Georgia. He really rose on Miami’s board throughout the spring evaluation period, and UM wanted him badly. Harvey visiting campus with family last weekend for the “Miami Nights” event sealed the deal and UM gave him a lot of 1-on-1 attention despite a host of other top prospects being in attendance.

On the field, Harvey takes sharp, direct angles to the ball-carrier, and he throws his body around against bigger opponents with little fear. He’s very versatile, as Harvey is comfortable with his hand on the ground at the line or standing up and blitzing from a linebacker spot, however he will be a defensive end at Miami. He has the timing, quick feet, and tight hips to make the turn and get into the backfield coming off the edge, acting like a heat-seeking missile. Harvey will need to put on some weight at only 220 right now to hold up at the college level, but that’s common for high schoolers at this stage.


The Class

Harvey's commitment brings the total class numbers to 16, and he is the Canes second take at defensive end, joining Chaminade-Madonna (FL) 3-star Cameron Williams in Surge19. I ran through the DE board two weeks back and not much has really changed since then.

I’ve heard Miami is looking to take 3 guys at defensive end in this class, but would take 4 if it’s the right guys. There’s no change at the top of Miami’s board, as Cardinal Gibbons (FL) 4-star Khris Bogle continues to be Miami’s top priority at the position. The Canes are still in a favorable spot with Bogle, but Tennessee is really making a big push here. Next in line, we have Auburndale Senior (FL) 4-star Lloyd Summerall. Many believe it’s only a matter of time before he commits to FSU, but a source tells us the UM staff feels confident with Summerall and he’s saying all the right things to make them believe he’s going to be a Cane in the end. Both Bogle and Summerall were also in attendance at “Miami Nights” last weekend (EDIT: Summerall did not end up making the trip after all). The Canes will sell out to land both and close the class out at DE.

American Heritage B/D (FL) 4-star Mike Morris is an FSU commit and legacy, but the talk with him is new head coach Willie Taggart is not pushing to keep Morris in the class and the parties’ relationship has been harmed because of this. If things aren't mended quickly, I was told there was no way he ends up at FSU. If Miami ends up pushing for him, there’s a good chance he’s a Cane, with Michigan also another realistic option. A hurdle is his mother is reportedly not sold on the “Miami environment”.

An interesting name that Miami has been back in contact with lately is Troup County (GA) 4-star King Mwikuta. You may remember UM was in his top 3 before he committed to Bama back in December. Besides the Crimson Tide, Miami is apparently the only other school Mwikuta is considering right now and Jess Simpson is pushing to get him to visit for Paradise. Mwikuta is also talking about taking an official visit to Miami.

The Canes spent the spring evaluation period really expanding their DE board and sent out a flurry of new offers. Miami is looking for some immediate help at the position and two JUCO kids UM recently offered were Iowa Western C.C. (IA) 4-star Chester Graves and Independence C.C. (KS) 4-star Jermaine Johnson. Of the two, Johnson has shown the most interest and recently put Miami in his top 6.

Under Simpson’s influence no doubt, UM also doled out offers to three Georgia ends in the past few months in Forest Park (GA) 4-star Justin Eboigbe, Archer (GA) 3-star Colby Wooden, and Winder-Barrow (GA) 3-star Logan Cash. I would say Wooden has the most interest of the three right now and Simpson actually used to be neighbors with Wooden’s current D-Line coach at Archer. He’ll be visiting campus for Paradise so Miami can get a better look at him.


The Team

By 2019, Miami will lose established veteran Demetrius Jackson to graduation and there is a very high probability that Joe Jackson leaves early for the NFL. That leaves UM with a returning threesome of Jon Garvin, Scott Patchan, and Gregory Rousseau at end, meaning the numbers really need to be upped at this position to ensure appropriate depth.

While the opportunity for early playing time will be there in Year 1, Harvey will have to add proper playing weight to really see serious time. It’s likely he’ll spend his freshman season growing his body in the Strength and Conditioning program and taking a backseat, but we’ve seen Garvin and Rousseau just recently come in early for spring practice and put on lean muscle mass quickly, so being an early enrollee will be crucial for Harvey in terms of seeing immediate playing time. By his sophomore season, Harvey will be battling some upperclassmen and his classmates for playing time. He has a very high ceiling at Miami and there’s no reason he can’t develop into a very good player at the U.

 
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Many ppl keep saying Miami feels good about summerall. It’s definitely weird as everyone feels he’s all nole. Somethings going on.
 
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Williams and Harvey are a great start. Now we need to close with some blue chippers. Adding Bogel and Summerall to those 2, would be an insane haul.
 
Morris’s Mom isn’t sold in the UM environment but she’s ok with what’s going on in tally?
 
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I expect him to be involved in special teams early on at the very least. He could be a force covering kicks. I'd bet against him being a full redshirt although the new rule makes it more likely.
 
I'd take Bogle and JUCO Jermain Johnson (check his film) over Bogle and Summerrall.

No matter what need Bogle for this DLine class to be considered a success.
 
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