Harding building on Griffey legacy
somewhat jokingly takes credit for the athletic part of young cousin game. Credit for Harding’s intelligence and academic awareness, however, is quickly given to his wife side of the family. “That’s from Momma’s side. I can’t take credit for that,” Griffey said.
Once a person learns about Harding’s family tree, the class of 2019 Winter Garden West Orange wide receiver’s athletic prowess becomes less of a surprise. Expectations have mounted since Harding came on the scene as a tall freshman in 2015.
Now he’s becoming an even bigger deal and he has much more far-reaching expectations for himself, including pairing his ability as a football player and skills in the classroom to gain a scholarship from the school of his choice. So far, he has about 20 scholarship offers, but there are others he’s chasing.
Regardless of who has offered or who might be offering scholarships down the road, Harding has maintained perspective throughout the process.
“It feels great just getting the attention, but I want to make sure it’s not too focused on what’s coming in and just focusing on my craft and trying to make sure I’m working so I can get more and get the [offers] that I’m really looking for,” Harding said. “[Maintaining focus] becomes tough sometimes, but you have to make sure the work you’re doing on the field is going to get you those offers and the work you are doing off the field is going to get you those offers.
“So when you think about it, make sure you’re doing the right thing on the field and off the field to make sure you do what you need to do.”
The No. 1 school would be Stanford if the Cardinal will have him.
“The mixture of playing at a high level and actually getting that education, which is basically … what I would consider Ivy League, I think that’s a great mixture,” Harding said. “I think that’s the school I was looking for that would suit me best.”
Stanford coaches are COMMENTARY supposed to be back on campus this month to further scout the 6-foot-4, 195-pound pass catcher. Tight ends coach
was in town earlier this month and receivers coach
is supposed to visit. Harding had a decent junior season a year ago and is looking for even bigger things this year. Last season, he had 24 catches for 390 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging about 16 yards per catch.
West Orange has solidified its quarterback position with so the combination won’t seem as in flux as it was last year with sophomore quarterback also figuring into the equation. Cyr has transferred to Orlando Dr. Phillips, so Harding and Stimmell should have more opportunities to develop some continuity heading into next season.
Other schools that Harding said have shown more interest lately include North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky and Pitt. Hometown UCF has also offered him a scholarship.
“I want to make my decision toward the end of summer,” Harding said. “I want to make sure I’m going into the fall knowing where I’m going to play, so I’ll have a more narrow amount of schools that I want to visit … and then mid to end of summer, I’ll have my decision.”
All the while he’ll be trying to uphold the family athletic legacy, led by his second cousin and baseball Hall of Famer Griffey, whose father also had a lengthy Major League Baseball career. Griffey children have also been successful athletes.
still holds receiving records at Dr. Phillips, and he finished his collegiate career in 2016 at Arizona. Trey is currently on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Trey’s sister,
a high school allAmerican in basketball while at Dr. Phillips, retired from basketball last September after multiple knee injuries. Their brother, , is still in high school. He’s a 5-foot-10, 150-pound junior-to-be cornerback also playing for Dr. Phillips.
“My dad’s mom and his mom are sisters,” Harding said of his relationship to Ken Griffey Jr. “I grew up with Tevin, Taryn, Trey … all of them. They live maybe two miles down the street from me, so that’s just a great relationship.
“With Trey going to the Steelers, that’s a big goal. Hopefully I can be the second one to make it there [to the NFL].”