NFL Draft

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Gyovanni Harvey, CB, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

NFL Draft Diamonds Spotlight Interview: Gyovanni Harvey, CB, Arkansas-Pine Bluff



One of the HBCU defensive backs not getting enough recognition for tough, gritty play, Gyovanni Harvey is the type of prospect you don’t want to count out. Here is our prospect interview with Harvey.

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?
I was blessed with the opportunity to have a few schools recruiting me out of high school. The biggest ones I would say is University of Ohio & University of Arkansas.

How did you come to make your college decision?
Prayer. I had other offers on the table but prayer lead to the right decision for me to attend University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Being able to be coached under Monte Coleman, Dirk Winston, Vernon Dean, Alonzo Hampton. You cant turn down opportunities to be coached by NFL greats. They are the ones that will put me in position to where I want to be which is the NFL.

Where are you training, and what are your goals for pro day/combines?
Right now I am training at D1 Sports located in Tampa, Florida. I don’t really like to speak on goals because I don’t want to jinx myself but to answer your question my goal for the combine/pro day is I want my numbers to be superior for the NFL scouts.

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?
I met with a couple scouts throughout the season & they were very informative on how what traits & characteristics I need to develop to further my opportunities for the next level.


At your position, what separates you from the others?
My aggressiveness. Ask anybody I ever played with or against, any coach from my former college team they will you I love to hit. I love contact. I may be 5’9 but I am aggressive like im 6’4. Its only a few corners In the league that like to make contact & I will be one of those additions when I make it to next level. Measure my height but you cant measure my heart.

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?
When watching film I love to break down tendencies of the opposing WR & QB. I want to know what my WR does when the ball isn’t & is coming to him, how fast & slow he runs certain routes, how he lines up before snap. Does he move his hands or feet while the QB is in cadence indicating it’s a possibility ball might come to him. With Qb I look at signals & shoulder movements. I love study & break it down to the point when im in the game I already know what they running as soon as they line up.

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?
The toughest player I ever faced on a collegiate level would probably have to Jackson States Former QB Casey Therriault. I give credit when its due & as a starter my (R) freshman year they rallied back from 3TDs because of the productivity of him. He was great player. Much Respect

If you could compare your play to one person in the NFL who would it be?

If you could compare your play to one person in the NFL who would it be?
It would definitely have to be a mixture of the younger Asante Samuel & Tyrann Mathieu. Im a great zone corner that likes to take chances & also fill in the on the run when I have to. Im versatile like Mathieu I could be used anywhere on the field. Corner, Safety, & nickel because I don’t mind contact

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle in my life I had to overcome was the death of my mother when I was at the age 15. I overcame through the help of my family of course, my friends, playing football & of course prayer.

What system fits your style of play the best?
The system that I would have to say that fits my play the best are Tampa Bay system & Patriots. They do a great mixture zone & man. I just believe those two systems put me in the best opportunity to be a great player on the next level.

What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength is my aggressiveness followed up by mental aspect of the game. I am a very intelligent person with great knowledge for the game of football. Of course there is room for improvement but I do believe I have great knowledge of this game & Both knowledge & intelligence is going to take you far in football & life itself.

What is your biggest weakness?
I am my biggest weakness. I am my best friend and im my worst enemy and no one else can stop me unless I let them.

If I were a GM and gave you a minute to sell yourself, what would you say?
I will be in the category of one of the hardest working people you know. Someone who go out there everyday humble as can be & put me life on the line for each play im out on the field. Somebody who prides himself in getting better. Accepting constructive criticism & even negative to make me one of the best players on & off the field. A team player that is ready & open for any position that the team needs me at. Anywhere I could help. Playing in the NFL is a blessing & a once in a lifetime opportunity. No way I would mess up my chances. Im ready to help the team however & whenever I can.

Growing up, who was your role model?
My role models would definitely have to be my grandparents , my parents, & my aunty. Without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. I like to believe im a combination of all. Hardworking, Helpful, Disciplinary, God Fearing man, & loyal.

Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?
My Favorite team in the NFL was Tampa Bay Bucs. When I was growing up & learning a better understanding of football the bucs had the best defense. Defense being the side I play of course I have to choose the bucs. Tony Dungy put together a great team along with NFL hall of famers like warren sapp, derrick brooks, john lynch & the list goes on. Of course growing up every favorite player was Deion Sanders especially for the position I play. But as I got older my favorite player was sean taylor. I loved sean taylor. I still watch his highlights before every game because at the time in college & NFL he was the best at what he did.

If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?
Three people I would love to have dinner with is my mother one more time now that im older, Sean Taylor & Tupac Shakur.

What would you buy with your first NFL paycheck?
I went into deep thought about this answer. My very first NFL paycheck I would buy my little brother whatever wants. Most people say they’ll get their parents this or that but when you really think about it the first actual thing you buy be something small because you have to prepare for big. I would definitely buy my younger brother whatever he wants & take care of everybody else after.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button