Derrick Harvey

Derrick Harvey (born November 9, 1986) is a former professional American football player who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars eighth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Florida Gators.

After being cut by the Jaguars, Harvey also played one season for the Denver Broncos.

Early years
Harvey was born in Greenbelt, Maryland in 1986. He attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, only starting his high school football career as a junior for the Roosevelt Raiders. As a senior, he recorded over 150 tackles and 31 sacks, a Maryland state record, as well as five forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and five batted down passes. He led his team to a 12-1 record and the Maryland Class 4A state semi-finals, where they lost their only game of the season. He received first-team all-state honors by the Associated Press, and was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year.

Harvey was a high school first-team All-America selection by Parade magazine, Tom Lemming, EA Sports, Riddell and SuperPrep, and a second-team All-America selection by USA Today. A five-star recruit, he eventually committed to Florida, after also considering Ohio State, Maryland and Tennessee.

College career
Harvey received an athletic scholarship to enroll at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2005 to 2007. As a true freshman in 2004, he was redshirted by the coaching staff and bulked up to 230 pounds. He saw limited action in nine games in 2005, playing behind starters Ray McDonald and Jarvis Moss at both defensive end positions, and compiled six tackles (four solo) with a six-yard quarterback sack and a pass deflection.

As a sophomore in 2006, Harvey shared left defensive end duties with senior Ray McDonald, and started five games when McDonald was sidelined with an injury. He recorded thirty-five tackles (twenty-four solo) and led the team with 11 sacks (fifth-best season total in Gators' history), and recovered three fumbles and caused another. He was recognized as a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection, in addition to receiving most valuable player accolades for his performance in the Gators' 41–14 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

As a junior team captain in 2007, Harvey earned second-team All-SEC. He started all thirteen games at left end, posting forty-nine tackles (thirty-one solo), including 8.5 sacks and seventeen tackles for a loss (tenth best on the Gators' single-season records list).<ref name=ufprofile After the Gators played in the Capital One Bowl, Harvey announced he would enter the NFL Draft.

In his three seasons as a Gator, Harvey played in thirty-six games and started eighteen. He closed his college career with 20.5 quarterback sacks (ninth on the Gators' career record list), and 51.5 tackles for a loss (third on the Gators' career record list). He also compiled ninety tackles (fifty-nine solo), caused two fumbles and recovered three, and deflected six passes.

2008 NFL Draft
Prior to the NFL Combine, Harvey had run the 40-yard dash in times from 4.67-4.78 at a weight of 252 pounds. He drew comparisons to Bryan Thomas.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Harvey was drafted 8th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the first defensive end chosen by the Jaguars in the first round in franchise history, and was the third of four defensive ends chosen in the first round of 2008 draft (Chris Long, St. Louis; Vernon Gholston, NY Jets). Harvey was the last 2008 first-round draft pick to sign a contract. On August 27, 2008, he signed a 5-year, $23.8 million contract with the Jaguars. The contract contained $17.175 million in guaranteed money and $33.4 million if all the incentives and escalators are met. Harvey set a Jaguars' record for longest holdout, totaling 33 days (the record is now held by Maurice Jones-Drew, with 38 days ). It was formerly held by Byron Leftwich, whose holdout lasted 19 days. He was waived on July 29, 2011.

Denver Broncos
On August 1, 2011, Harvey signed with the Denver Broncos.

Cincinnati Bengals
On March 23, 2012, Harvey Signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. On August 5, 2012, Harvey was released by the Bengals.