2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Eli Harvey, DL, Northeastern State University

• Name: Eli Harvey
• Height: 6’0 3/4
• Weight: 313
• Position: DT,NG
• College: Northeastern State University 
• Twitter: @IamEliharvey

•Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it? 

I’m from Monroe Georgia, a small town just right outside of Atlanta. What I love most about my hometown is the opportunity and diversity in it. Many people of different walks of life have risen to raise families creating a great sense of community and pride. 

•List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice? 

For me it would be Strength and conditioning being of the most importance to continue my career and health on and off the field. Next is film study because to know the opponent and prepare for them for game days but also for my own self evaluation and development everyday. Last is practice, which has been preached to me that the preparation put into practice is the most important aspect in earning the right to win.

•What do you worry about, and why? 

My future because I want to be successful in life and I hate the feeling of not knowing what’s next. 

•Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure? 

When I first got to northeastern state I was so determined to be a starter but going into fall camp I was overweight which ultimately led to me not getting the spot, I was upset but I couldn’t blame no one but myself but instead of giving up I kept working hard and lost the weight eventually landed the starting spot the rest of that season. 

•What do your teammates say is your best quality?  Trustworthy/leadership 

•Who is the best player you have ever played against in college? Mikey Grandy 

•What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

Most likely coach football or sports analyst. 

•Room, desk and car – which do you clean first? Room

•If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why? 

Family member because family is forever and that to me means everything. 

•If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why? 

Superman just because when I’m on the field I feel invincible and that’s just what Superman is. 

•Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it? 

I got stabbed in the face going in to the summer of my junior year of HS and I couldn’t go outside or be in sunlight for 2 months this was hard for me because it took a tole on my football career development and my overall confident as a person I felt ugly but instead of letting all of that beat me down mentally I chose to take a stand and work my tail off to get back to playing ball and gaining my everyday confidence back. 

•What is your most embarrassing moment? 

This was hard because I’ve had a lot funny moments lol but the #1 embarrassing moment was when I crashed a 4 wheeler at a birthday party which threw me an I landed in a pool. 

•What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career? 

My junior season when I caught a interception. 

•What song best describes your work ethic?dreams & nightmares by Meek Mill. 

•What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

This was a hard one but I’d have to say your Speed. 

•If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

 My aunt crystal, because when she passed she left behind four young kids and I couldn’t imagine how hard it is to grow up at a young age without your mother. 

•If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?  Club Medusa 

•Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?  Michael Gallup 

•Would you rather be liked or respected, and why? 

Respected, because respect goes a long way like people may not like you but they will always respect what you do and why you doing it. 

•What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why? Josh Gordon because despite how great he is, it always seems like he can never beat his addiction. 

•Do you love to win, or hate to lose? I HATE to lose!!!

•Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?  

Hands down my mother, she has been the ultimate provider for me and my sisters and even my aunts kids after her passing. My mother’s strong faith and dedication to never quite on things meant the world to me. We may not have had everything but she did the absolute best she could to see her come from being a 16 year old teen mom dropping out of school to going back years later to not only get her GED but to get a college degree while working 2 sometimes 3 jobs taught me that no Matter what life throws at me never quite because it’s not how you start it’s how you finish.