Interview: 2020 OL Aarion Harvey Covers Commitment to Central Michigan Chippewas
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Years of physical exhaustion, determination and dealing with hardships along with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears have culminated into a dream come true for Aarion Harvey. The former Griffith High School (IN) Class of 2018 talent continued to work on his game after graduation fine-tuning his skills as an offensive lineman at Hudson Valley Community College (IL). The result for the 6-5, 319-pound, steamroller on the field is that of a versatile player (OG/OT) that can dominate with size, technique, speed, and a back alley nasty streak put upon defenders lining up across from him. The work put 20 scholarship offers in-hand and a place to continue his dream of earning a degree while playing Division-I football at Central Michigan.
Harvey verbally committed to offensive line coach Mike Cummings on Thursday with a follow up phone call to head coach Jim McElwain on Friday. After the commitment, Harvey stepped back inside the RNG Lab to detail the achievement of a life goal.
Interview
Aarion, I am so happy for you. Congratulations on your commitment to Central Michigan.
“Thank you.”
If you will, fill me in on the process with CMU going from interest, offer and then to commitment.
“At first, I talked to their offensive line coach, Coach Cummings. He reached out to me after he saw the work put into my game and that I lost a lot of weight. I developed a good relationship with him. I like how Coach Cummings does things; he is different than the others. We had that relationship and Central Michigan has a good tradition as well. That is how everything came along. I talked to everyone, the head coach and to their strength and conditioning coach. I liked everything they have going on there.”
When did you visit the campus?
“I never visited because of the virus.”
How do they see you fitting into their scheme?
“I’m a guy that can play tackle and guard in their scheme. I feel like I can be used wherever they want to put me in their offense. By me playing both positions, it helped a lot in my recruiting. It made me more marketable playing both positions.”
What was the tipping point for you from heavily interested in CMU to this is the ideal place for me?
“Part of it was being in the Midwest, not that far from Chicago, and the fact that their tradition is good at bringing out offensive linemen to the NFL. They are a tough team that is all about working hard. They will push me and get the best out of me. No other school talked about working me hard like that. That is what I need to succeed so I can get to the next level.”
When and how did you commit?
“I talked to Coach Cummings on Thursday; I told him I like what is going on at CMU. I told him that I like what I am being told and I want to be a part of it.”
Now that you have made a dream of yours come true, how does it feel?
“Oh, it feels great. It feels good. With my life story, going through the trials and tribulations; I worked so hard for this and a lot of people counted me out. Coming where I come from, this does not happen to a lot of people. This is a blessing. Not everyone gets to go play D-I/FBS football. I get an opportunity to go somewhere and accomplish my goals at a high level.”
Yes, you do. What will you do to celebrate?
“I’m in New York right now; I will try to go back to see my family. I will smile, be happy and thankful. I am blessed to do what I love at a great program.”
How have you been staying in shape and what have you been doing to get the needed workouts in this spring?
“I lost a lot of weight. During the season I was playing at about 355. I lost 40-plus pounds and tightened up to 319 pounds. A lot of that was focusing on my diet and doing a lot of body weight workouts twice a day. I was going hard at it every day, and I am still doing that – a lot of body weight, hitting it hard, and watching my diet.”
Aarion, your story is inspirational on multiple levels. Do you have a message for those younger recruits coming up behind you?
“I encourage people with no hope to keep grinding and never give up. Keep working hard for as bad as they want something. Don’t let life control it, keep attacking to the fullest.”
Aarion, thanks for sharing your commitment story with us today. Wishing you nothing but success at CMU.
“Thank you.”
Harvey’s Offer Sheet (20): Bethune-Cookman, Central Michigan, Dixie State, Indiana, Jackson State, Middle Tennessee State, Morgan State, Northern Arizona, South Alabama, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Miss, Texas Tech, Toledo, and West Virginia State
Photo credit: Harvey family; Aarion Harvey in the gym (2020)