Four-star DE Santana Harvey looking to make his own name
The inevitable isn't always comfortable.
For Santana Harvey, it has become an expectation as his national recruiting profile rises. The Lakeland (Fla.) High School star, who made a large impact on the program's state title appearance as a sophomore in 2024, is the son of former first-round NFL draft pick Derrick Harvey.
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The class of 2027 standout of course plays the same position, defensive end, and he has already amassed double-digit scholarship offers to his name. He continues to work to add more for his own talents at 6-foot-4, 228 pounds despite the elephant in each room recruiters walk in.
"I get it a lot but but I don't like it," Harvey said of the comparisons with his father. "I want to be myself. I really don't like comparing myself to others, it's not good. ... In life you are never supposed to compare yourself.
"I feel like I'm being discredited that way."
The rising-junior prep recruit has answered a lot of questions about the legacy status, especially following a recruiting trip to the University of Florida earlier this month. It's where the elder Harvey was the national championship game MVP before becoming a top-10 selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
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Santana took the trip with his mother, who plays a larger part in the four-star's life at home and as a recruit.
"Shout out to my mom," Harvey said. "My mom helps me through it. It gets stressful but she gets me to my visits and she plays a major role."
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Harvey got one-on-one time with UF head coach Billy Napier while in Gainesville and came away impressed with the program despite the legacy status.
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"They are looking great!" he said. "I love everything schematically and the coaching staff is great!"
The Gators have yet to join the offer list for Harvey, but he took in a pair of games in 2024 and continues to communicate with the staff. Plenty of major programs have jumped in with tenders, however, including rival Florida State and Oklahoma in January.
The Power 4 trio has his attention early on.
"Everything recruiting wise is going well so far," Harvey said. "It's just getting started but after spring I will most likely have more. Schools that stand out at the moment are Florida State, Oklahoma and Florida – especially after the visit.
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"I love everything they are doing schematically with their edge rushers."
Focused on spring football but considering summer unofficial visits thereafter, there is a chance the offer list pushes much higher as college programs swarm to one of the Sunshine State's premiere programs.
"On the field I'm a swarm to the ball, see-ball type of guy," Harvey said. "Sacking the QB is my specialty. Also I'm a versatile edge rusher, I'm good in the run and pass game.
"I'm very physical and I love to dominate the man in front of me for four quarters."
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