A genuine quick study
Edgewater QB Harvey excels in the classroom as well as on the field
Beneath the unassuming demeanor of Edgewater quarterback R.J. Harvey is the heart of a fierce competitor, one who attacks school work in the same manner he does opposing defenses.
“He derives as much enjoyment out of earning an A as he does at scoring five touchdowns in a game,” said Mark Shanoff, who is in his third year as principal at Edgewater.
Harvey has done both during his senior season while redefining what it means to be a dual threat.
A model student dating back to elementary school, the athletic University of Virginia commit has accounted for 40 total touchdowns this year while passing for 1,690 yards and adding 1,290 yards on the ground.
“It’s very rare to find a kid with that type of combination in high school. Somebody that understands that you’ve got to be proactive with your preparation in the classroom in the same way you go about your business on the football field,” said Shanoff.
Harvey and the Eagles (12-1) hit the road Friday for a Class 7A state semifinal showdown against unbeaten Lakeland (13-0) at Bryant Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The winner advances to play either Venice (12-1) or Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) for the championship next week at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
The Edgewater football program has come a long way since 2016 when Harvey began his career as a varsity starter as a sophomore on a team that went 0-10. That was during a year muddled with an inseason coaching change following the exit of former University of Florida quarterback Chris Leak.
Those lopsided losses weighed heavily on Harvey in the same way any difficulties with his coursework would.
He entertained the thought of transferring and teaming with friends he knew from his youth football days. Instead, Harvey maintained his trademark smile around school while remaining committed to Edgewater. The decision paid off as he’s since gone 21-4 as a starter while blossoming under the direction of secondyear Eagles coach Cameron Duke.
“In today’s culture kids are jumping ship all over the place, especially on the first sign of adversity or struggle, and he didn’t go anywhere,” Duke said. “That’s a testament to him and his family and how he’s been brought up.”
Harvey, the introverted middle child of Juliet and Robert Sr., was born and raised in Orlando. He has an older sister enrolled at UCF and a younger sister that attends College Park Middle School. A fashion aficionado and aspiring entrepreneur, he plans to study business in college.
“In life you go through adversity, and I’m sure that’s one of the life lessons he’s learned, that it’s not always going to be easy,” said Harvey Sr., who watched his son from the stands in 2016 and is now a defensive assistant with the Eagles. “That was a hurdle he had to overcome.”
The same type of motivation and selfdiscipline used in the classroom is what Harvey has become known for by teammates while out on the football field. Although vocal when he deems it necessary, his actions are what set the tone in practices and games.
“Everyone dreams to have the type of grades he has,” said Edgewater senior safety Jahsimeon Campblin. “Growing up with him through high school, it’s amazing to see how he’s committed to being a leader for this team.”
Wired with a will to succeed, it’s been a combination of toughness and fearlessness and a strong mental presence that’s been most evident week in and week out.
“I love to pass the ball first, but if it’s not open I’m going to take off and run and get what I can get,” said Harvey, who grew up studying the dual-threat styles of NFL QBs Michael Vick, Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson.
“He is a quiet kid, but he’s a fierce competitor and the toughest kid on the team, and I’ve always said that if you have a tough quarterback you’re going to have a tough football team,” Duke said.
“The biggest strength he’s got is that he doesn’t ever flinch. Things could be going bad around him but he stays very calm because nothing fazes him and nothing is too big for him.”