Harvin deserving of Heisman consideration

Nov 17, 2008 - 10:28 PM By Zachary Ingraham PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has been steadily gaining ground in the Heisman Trophy race for the last several weeks. But another Gator may be even more deserving of the trip to New York.

Despite being overshadowed by his teammate, who is seeking a second straight Heisman, Percy Harvin should receive some consideration for college football's most prestigious award.

After missing the season opener with an ankle injury, the Florida factor-back has scored a touchdown in every other game, while leading the Gators in both rushing and receiving this season.

"Pound-for-pound, he is as strong as we got," Florida coach Urban Meyer said of the 5-11, 195-pound Harvin. "He's in the right offense at the right place because there are some places that don't really have the knowledge or experience or personnel to use him the way we do."

Harvin's numbers (995 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns) are not overly impressive, especially compared to those Big 12 Conference players that put up daunting statistics against sub-par defenses each week.

But consider the system in which Harvin plays. He splits carries with five other running backs, and Tebow gets nearly one-third of the Gators' carries.

Florida also incorporates four wide receivers and tight end Aaron Hernandez into the offense on a regular basis.

"Our catches are spread out," Meyer said of the team's depth. "There is not one guy you have to lean on."

As a result, Harvin has been limited to just 85 touches this season. The speedster makes the most of opportunities, averaging an incredible 9.2 yards per rush and 15.7 per catch.

Not to mention the distraction he causes when he doesn't have the ball.

"Some of those Tebow 15-yard runs are because Percy is used as a decoy," Meyer told the Palm Beach Post.

After watching the junior roll over his team for 167 yards and two scores on eight carries, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier noted how the Florida system waters down Harvin's numbers.

"Percy Harvin, if he was a tailback on somebody else's team, he'd be a 200-yards-a-game guy," said Spurrier, whose club was handed a 56-6 beatdown from the Gators on Saturday.

Harvin, who scored on runs of 26 and 80 yards, was pleased with his career-best rushing performance.

"We thought our offense was the best and we had the best running backs, so we had something to prove," he said. "The coaches noticed the counter was effective all day. I scored on a counter in the first half and we came back to it."

Harvin isn't just running up his statistics in blowout victories. He had his best performance of the season in Florida's lone loss, exploding for 268 total yards and two touchdowns against Ole Miss.

The 20-year-old also scored early in the fourth quarter against both Miami and Arkansas, helping to turn close games into decisive wins.

Harvin, who is tied with Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree for the most consecutive games with a touchdown at 12, will never get as much attention as reigning Heisman winner Tebow.

But Harvin may just be the most talented player in the country.