Another weekend, another MVP award for linebacker recruit Evan Harvey of Royal Palm Beach (Fla.) William T. Dwyer High School. This weekend, Harvey took home the linebacker MVP award at the National Underclassman Orlando Five-Star Showcase.
Harvey was excellent in coverage, showing that despite his somewhat limited frame, he can be a valuable piece of a defense. With the proliferation of the spread offense, being able to leave a linebacker like Harvey on the field to defend the run, but without exposing a liability against the pass, is a big advantage for defenses.
Talking to Harvey and watching him play, it's easy to tell he simply loves to play football. He was quite unhappy that camp directors wouldn't let him have one final rep in 1-on-1s against running back MVP Jacky Marcellus.
That Harvey wasn't even a full time starter for the Panthers last season shows how loaded of a defense Dwyer had. And with limited film to evaluate, schools have been understandably reluctant to extend an offer to Harvey, preferring to wait and evaluate him in person over the spring.
But with back-to-back MVP performances, the offers should start to pour in for the 6'1", 210 pound Harvey. And schools have been showing interest in him, including Penn State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Georgia, Miami and Duke.
Harvey, who is originally from Pennsylvania, does have one visit planned. "Michigan State invited me to their junior day coming up," Harvey said. He added that he also plans to check out Penn State at some point.
What does Harvey want in a school? "I just want to play for a school that can dominate and help them dominate."
Harvey's recruitment will certainly be interesting to watch, and he is a good example of just how early it still is in the recruiting process.
For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, SB Nation Pittsburgh and SB Nation Philly.
For more on Sparty football, visit Michigan State blog The Only Colors, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit.