Already losing several key All-ACC seniors from its defense, the Virginia football team also will have to absorb the loss of junior defensive end Eli Harold next season. Harold posted a Twitter message on Wednesday that announced his decision to enter the NFL Draft.
To all UVA Fans, my family, and my close friends and teammates it's been a great ride. I have decided to enter the NFL Draft.
— Coach Eli (@EliHarold_) December 10, 2014
Harold stood No. 3 in the ACC this season with 14.5 tackles for loss and No. 6 in the ACC with 7.0 sacks. He finished with 54 total tackles, forced one fumble, and recovered two. He returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown against Richmond. Harold also intercepted his second career pass.
That gave Harold back-to-back solid seasons at UVa. As a sophomore, he posted 51 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. As a freshman, he tallied 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Harold’s three-year total in 36 games: 141 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 36.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three pass break-ups, and two interceptions. Harold ends his UVa career ranked 10th all-time in tackles for loss and 11th all-time in sacks.
Harold’s NFL Draft projections generally fall between fifth and 15th at the defensive end position. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. rated Harold as the No. 6 defensive end in his latest update, while NFLDraftScout.com has him 11th. Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com has Harold as the No. 7 end and projects Harold as a second or third round selection.
One take on Harold comes from Joe Marino, assistant editor of BuffaloBillsDraft.com (click here to read the full article). He provided some insights before UVa’s game with Florida State:
“Harold is a skilled pass-rusher who can consistently pressure the passer. He has good burst and bend around the edge and pursues the quarterback with relentless effort. Mixing power and speed is where Harold is most effective. … Harold takes intelligent rush angles and rarely gets too far upfield. To become an even better pass-rusher, Harold needs to utilize his hands more effectively. … While Harold has solid power rush ability because he can covert speed to power, his functional strength against the run is lacking. Harold struggles to maintain his ground against drive blocks and disengage when the ball is run at him. He can shoot gaps and make plays but rarely does he fight pressure with pressure, maintain his gap and make plays when defending the run.”
While some rumblings had Max Valles joining Harold in the NFL Draft, he posted on his Twitter account that he is not entering.
I don't know where everyone is hearing it from but I did not declare for the NFL draft. I'm staying at UVA
— Max Valles (@big_black5) December 10, 2014
