Trip down memory lane: Percy Harvin's time at Florida
As Percy Harvin turns 35 on Sunday, Gators Online takes a look back at one of the most electric playmakers in University of Florida history.
Over his three seasons at Florida, Harvin was a star during the Urban Meyer era. A five-star prospect coming out of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Harvin elected to go to Florida. Harvin instantly made an impact, helping the Gators to an SEC and National Championship in his freshman season.
In 2006, the true freshman posted 855 total yards (428 rushing, 427 receiving) on 75 touches, adding five touchdowns.
In his sophomore season, Harvin took his game to the next level, seeing 142 touches and accumulating a whopping 1,622 total yards (764 rushing, 858 receiving), posting ten touchdowns in 11 games in 2007.
Before declaring early for the NFL Draft, Harvin left Florida with another ring, his second in three seasons in Gainesville. In 12 games, saw his touches decrease from his 2007 campaign, but still posted 1,304 total yards (660 rushing, 644 receiving) and 17 (!!) touchdowns on the way to the Gators’ third national championship in school history.
Across his three seasons at Florida, Harvin averaged 11.6 yards every time he touched the ball. Unsurprisingly, Harvin was drafted in the first round, going 22nd overall to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2009 NFL Draft. Just like he did at Florida, Harvin immediately made an impact on Sundays, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Over his seven seasons in the NFL, Harvin put together a respectable career, accumulating 4,026 receiving yards on 353 catches, adding 22 touchdowns. Harvin also made his presence felt on special teams, being an outstanding punt and kick returner.
In 2019, Harvin was inducted in the UF Hall of Fame.
Chris Rainey and Harvin raced at Florida
Recently, GO’s Zach Abolverdi did some digging around the races that would go on during 2006-2008, which went deeper than the infamous Chris Rainey vs. Jeff Demps race. Turns out, Harvin was also involved.
“We did that on the football field in The Swamp. We raced three times, with Percy,” Rainey told GO. “He won one, I won one, we tied one.
“That was the first time I ever raced against somebody that had the same takeoff speed and everything as me. So, and he got muscle with his. That b***h fast, boy. He fast.”
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
