Harvey the Hokie: A Sit Down with Virginia Tech's Top Commit

D.J. Harvey, a 5’11 182lb cornerback hailing from California, is the highest ranked commit in Virginia Tech’s 2021 football recruiting class.

“I’m here to win, no matter what. I’m here to bring a championship to Blacksburg, where it’s supposed to be” stated the young star.

Harvey first announced his decision via social media on July 4th, 2020, targeting the holiday specifically for increased presence online.

Harvey enjoys being on the internet but makes sure not to let it affect his performance.

“Once I got my first couple offers, I saw negative hate [online]… I used that as motivation, as fuel” Harvey revealed.

The highly touted defender has played a majority of the snaps at his high school, Sierra Canyon, since he was a freshman. His stellar play and continued development helped elevate him and his team to a 14-2 record and state runner-up status by the time he was a junior.

Harvey is known to possess superb instincts along with lightning-fast reflexes, evidenced by his 11 interceptions over the past two seasons.

Despite being named a Max Preps pre-season second team All-American last year, Tech's newest stud is still not satisfied. He wants to improve every chance he gets.

“Even as a young kid, I’m just trying to be the guy that’s ready to learn” mentioned VT’s top commit.

Harvey is not alone in his journey, however: a self-proclaimed “momma’s boy,” the Virginia-bound defensive back has one very particular goal in mind for his football career.

“I told my mom when I was eight years old ‘One day I will retire you and you won’t have to work again. You’ll be set for life’” Harvey pronounced.

Described by 247 Sports as having “explosive ability”, Harvey is set to join a crew of shockingly productive DBs spearheaded by all-ACC honorable mention Chamarri Conner.

Although Virginia Tech finished with a 5-6 record last year, their secondary displayed some serious flashes, intercepting 12 passes. Harvey’s well-built frame and sharp quickness are sure to make an immediate impact in a young and talented group.

While he does possess the physical tools, the California product credits his success to a mental component more than an athletic one.

“Film study… without that, I don’t think my skillset would come into play, the way I read the game and the way I react” declared Harvey.

Looking ahead, the Hokies have a seemingly manageable schedule set for next season.

Trips to Morgantown, West Virginia and Miami Gardens, Florida present difficult challenges for a team that recently lost Defensive Line Coach Darryl Tapp to the San Francisco 49ers, although the future member of a unit affectionately known as “D Block” has a November trip to Charlottesville, Virginia circled on his calendar.

“It’s really serious… I’m excited. The more hype the better the game is.”

The talent is undeniable, the mindset is apparent, and the excitement is maximal.

As Hokie fans salivate over the prospect of adding another lockdown defender to a storied list headlined by DeAngelo Hall and Kam Chancellor, Harvey has a message to everyone at home:

“I’m ready to get on the field and make big plays. You’re getting a kid that isn’t going to say too much… I’m just ready to get to work.”