by Andy Hilton, recruit757
OL ATH Eli Harold (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
The signing day celebration at Ocean Lakes on Wednesday was huge for everyone, but the day was a milestone for Eli Harold and his family. Eli has had to grow up quickly. Now, weeks after turning 18, he’s found his way to the turning point that gets him to the next level. It all started sinking in on Wednesday, just moments after putting pen to paper.
Eli was just 16 when he lost his mother to cancer. Sheila Harold remains a shining light in his life and an inspiration for Eli to become the man he’s grown to be. Eli also lost his nephew, Forrest Harold, this year. Forrest collapsed and died while playing basketball. For many, the pain of loss might be insurmountable.
“I want to thank God for making this all possible,” said Eli on Wednesday, shortly before signing his letter of intent to attend the University of Virginia. “God has really put his hand on my family. He’s really kept us together in spite of the tragedy that’s happened in our lives.”
After signing, Harold reflected on the meaning of the day and its importance in his life.
“It means a lot for me to grow up for almost two years without my mother,” the Dolphins’ star explained. “She didn’t live to see me reach 18. It means a lot to me and my family. It shows that I’m taking bigger steps and making it to that goal I’ve wanted to reach.”
Harold is almost certain to come into his tenure in Charlottesville as a starter. He projects as a defensive end for the Cavaliers. In his senior season, he saw time at defensive end, wide reciever and even quarterback in a wildcat formation.
Ever humble, Harold is quick to defer the glory of his abilities, and he’s always certain to be clear that his commitment to Mike London and the University of Virginia was solid throughout the recruiting process. Some even questioned that there might be another signing day surprise at Ocean Lakes, like last year when quarterback Lafonte Thourogood flipped his commitment from Virginia Tech to Vanderbilt the night before his LOI was to be signed.
“I wasn’t joking around when I said that I wanted to attend the University of Virginia. It’s where I wanted to go from the start,” Harold said. “God put it in my heart and I stuck with it. I look forward to going there to work. Coach Mike London told me that he would take care of me like a son. We just clicked. Coach London has God in his life. That plays a big role. When you have God in your life, God helps you with those decisions. Coach London is a great role model to African-American males like myself.”
Ocean Lakes coach Chris Scott has seen Harold through his high school career, and the coach realizes how important this milestone is for a young man like Eli.
“The way that Eli has matured has been a huge storyline all year long, especially given his circumstances,” said the coach. “He’s made good grades and become an all-around student-athlete in every essence of the word.”
The spiritual connection between Eli Harold and his new college coach is hard to put into words. The University of Virginia is not only getting the top recruit in the entire state. They’re also getting a young man who’s had to grow up quickly and who is wise beyond his years.
- Andy Hilton
The Coach’s name is CHRIS Scott.
February 3, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Nicole
Of course…
February 3, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Andy Hilton
Its a shame Eli cites Mike Londons race for being a deciding factor. In this day and age you would think someone could look past that and not have that be a criteria.
February 4, 2012 at 9:24 am
Joe
I don’t think Eli has ever said that the race of his future college coach was a deciding factor, but he has said that Mike London was an excellent role model and he clicked with him. Eli has said many times that Chris Scott has been an excellent role model and mentor as well.
February 4, 2012 at 9:43 am
Andy Hilton
I agree that race should not be a factor in recruiting BUT when the head coach makes certain it’s a factor it becomes one! However, when the coach has confidence in himself and his coaching/recruiting abilities. He doesn’t have to use the color of his skin to try to get ahead.
February 6, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Harold
Since I interviewed Eli and wrote the article myself, I’m having a hard time figuring out where any coach told Eli to come and play for him because of race. I see what you’re insinuating, but I don’t see where you’re validating your opinion with fact as it applies in this instance.
February 6, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Andy Hilton
“Coach London is a great role model to African-American males like myself”
White coaches not good enough?
February 4, 2012 at 11:23 am
Joe
Signing with a coach based on race is as silly as electing a president based on the same… Oops.
(Remainder of comment deleted. If posting something as fact, please verify it. Disagreement is fine, but keep the conversation above board. ed.)
February 4, 2012 at 11:59 am
Zack
How did Harold go from academically ineligible to meeting UVA’s generally high academic standard in one semester?
February 4, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Zack
before this becomes a racial debate im a white football player and played with him at 7 on 7s. You guys are misinterpreting what he was saying he is not RACIST.He is a great player and im happy to have met him. He brings out the best in his opponents and shows respect when it is earned as do I.
February 4, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Chris
UVA only requires the NCAA minimum. Just like Morgan Moses. The “high academic standards” is a LIE crafted by the Hoos to explain the yearly butt kicking they get by the Hokies.
February 4, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Scott
Agitating posts are generally excluded. I know that the UVA vs. Virginia Tech is a hot rivalry. Scott, I don’t know if UVA’s standards are different or not. I would be nice to have a factual accounting of UVA’s standards as compared to Tech’s.
I don’t have a dog in the fight. Harold’s GPA and SAT scores haven’t been publicized, but the flack about Harold’s academics and the references to race smack of sour grapes. UVA won the recruiting battle over Eli. It’s done. Let’s celebrate Eli’s decision and his departure for college. This website is set up for advancing players from high school to college, not tearing them down over college allegiances.
February 4, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Andy Hilton
I don’t recall saying anything about VT, Duke, or any other school. It is UVA students and alumni that should be concerned with the school’s reputation. Mr. Jefferson would not approve.
February 4, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Zack
These sour grapes comments Andy referred to are ridiculous. We should all be happy for Eli. If anyone has proof of any ineligibility, i would like to see that. Eli “overcame” many tragedies in life and worked hard to get a scholarship from a respectable school…praise him for it.
UVa and VT are both good schools but anyone who thinks the “quality” of education received from a “polytechnic institute” is equal to a diploma from such a prestigious medical university is misguided. VT = blue collar trades…..UVa = “doctrates in medicine, business, etc.”……sorry, no camparison. But yes you have dominated us in football for a decade.
Andy…sorry but i could stand silent no longer.
February 4, 2012 at 10:01 pm
mb9ballr
OOps..comparison
February 4, 2012 at 10:02 pm
mb9ballr
You really think UVa football players are becoming doctors or businessmen? Now theres a laugh.
The poster above is right. For years (what is it now, 8 straight? 9?) UVA has been using the “academics” card as an excuse for being so bad. It has been well documented that until Jan. there was some worry Eli wouldn’t qualify.
And FWIW mb9ballr, Virginia Tech grads make more money
http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/top-us-colleges-graduate-salary-statistics.asp
In fact, they have the 5th highest starting salary in the country. You can have your “prestigious” degree. I’m sure Hokies will be happier with their fatter paycheck.
February 5, 2012 at 11:40 am
Ian
I’m all in for the University of Virginia, but to say that Va Tech is for “blue collar” trades is inaccurate. It’s not a trade school. VT has great engineering programs, and although the curriculum may differ from Law, Nursing, etc. it does not diminish from their achievements. NCAA athlete eligibility isn’t the same as non athlete eligibility. Fact of life. Let’s keep this on topic and congratulate Eli on his opportunity. Also kudos to Coach Scott and staff for helping another young adult move on to get a college education.
February 6, 2012 at 11:01 am
Sam
Well said Andy nothing but a bunch of haters that are upset that a player like Eli didnt pick their school
February 5, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Chris