Percy Harvin: NFL or injured reserve

Posted December 03, 2008

There’s a little, tiny, small, wee, miniscule, miniature game this weekend in the college football world between the University of Florida and that other school that attempts to make plain ‘ole red sound fancy by calling it crimson. “What’s their name” is a young team that more than exceeded expectations this season. They come into Hot-lanta undefeated (if you’re not familiar with the meaning of Hot-lanta than you’re clearly not cool enough to read my blog) and happen to be led by a man many hate, but can sure as hell coach (Nick Saban). The Gators, on the other hand, are a more mature squad with a quarterback who already has one Heisman on his shelf (Tim Tebow) and a coach that took home the ultimate team prize just two years ago (Urban Meyer). Both programs have history, and both programs have fanatic fan bases with oodles of cash. In a word, both programs are “big time” (darnit that was two words!)

All of that being said there may very well be a missing element this Saturday on that Georgia Dome field despite the gravity of this matchup. The most talented player in Division I collegiate ball could miss the game due to injury. Florida’s Percy Harvin was knocked out of the Florida vs. Florida State game last weekend with a right ankle sprain and remains questionable for the SEC Championship Game.

Let the analysts begin the “how is Florida going to prevail without Percy Harvin?” rhetoric; but for me, this brings an entirely different issue to mind. My thoughts go straight to this individual player. Percy Harvin is, as I said before, easily one of the nation’s most talented players. He can play as a receiver, line up in the back field as a running back, spend time under center as a quarterback and just all around intimidate his opponents with incredible speed and ‘jukability’ (that should totally be a word).

What Percy Harvin cannot do is deny his lack of durability. It seems to me this kid is always injured! One could argue that it’s because he puts himself out there making himself a target with his incredible success on the field (like being named MVP of the SEC Championship Game his freshman year). I say spend a little time and look up Tim Tebow before you tell me players that are targets can’t survive the hits.

Perhaps it’s not having the right strength coaching staff surrounding him. As someone who spends most of her free time in the gym training, I know all too well how different your body can react to one person’s training methods versus another. Of course, with seven full time strength and conditioning coaches employed by the University of Florida one would expect the resources are in place for Percy to be in optimum shape.

Whatever the issue, the fact remains this kid can’t stay out of the training room with injuries and it’s that simple fact I expect could lead to his demise. Talent-wise, I fully expect Harvin would make it in the NFL. Watch this kid on a healthy day and it’ll make you weep he’s so good. But take into consideration his durability issues and I don’t see how he will manage when the biggest, fastest and smartest football players in the world are foaming at the mouth to get a hit on him.

It’s when you consider issues like these it becomes all too clear why players come out of school early. If you’re Tim Tebow: nearly indestructible, have a Heisman or quite possibly a couple under your belt, probably won’t amount to much as a NFL quarterback (as much as it saddens me to say, and no one loves Tebow being a Gator more than I do, I don’t see him doing much as a league Q.B. though, perhaps a life as a fullback is in his future) and care about education; then by all means stay for your senior year. But if you’re a sparkling college athlete who wants the paycheck, already has stock higher than most any other in your position and are one hit away from the entire dream crashing down around you, then I can’t get mad at you for telling the league to show you the money and signing on the dotted line.

I hope I’m wrong about Harvin’s future. He deserves to be rewarded handsomely for his talent but I can’t stop thinking this kid’s weakness in life is literally going to be his bodies’ weakness, and it’s going to keep him from ever making it to the level of fame, success and stardom he theoretically should.