Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Marvin Harvey
- Induction:
- 2002
Some players just happen to be around when the style of the game changes, some are the reason the change in style. Marvin Harvey was the reason for the change in style at Southern Miss during his four-year career with the Golden Eagles from 1977 to 1980.
Never before had a tight end been utilized by the Golden Eagles in the way, Harvey was. “Rock”, as coaches and teammates alike knew him, helped propel the Golden Eagles into the national football picture, a spot they haven’t relinquished.
When Harvey joined the Golden Eagles in the fall of 1973 out of Marianna, Florida, it was apparent immediately that he had the size, strength, speed and quickness to do more things in the offense than even Bobby Collins and his coaching staff thought possible when they recruited him.
As a freshman he caught just 11 passes, but they were for 343 yards and average of 31.2 yards per catch and two were for touchdowns.
The following year he caught 17 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns and began to establish him self as one of the top tight ends in the country.
He really came into his own as a junior, when he caught 18 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while earning all-South Independent honors and was named honorable mention All-American.
In 1980 as a senior he was a part of history when he helped lead the team to a 9-3 record a berth in the Independence Bowl, the first bowl berth for Southern Miss since the 1957 season. That team also became the first Southern Miss team to be ranked as a Division I team when they reached No. 20 in the Associated Press poll midway through the season. Harvey caught 28 passes that year for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Once again he was named to the all-South Independent team and was an honorable mention All-American.
Harvey would finish his career at Southern Miss tied for 12th in career receptions with 74 and 8th in total yards receiving with 1,286. His career average of 17.4 yards per catch is tied for the 8th best in school best, while only three players have ever caught more touchdowns than his eight.
Following his career with the Golden Eagles he was drafted in the 3rd- round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played two season. He also played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL.
When I think back on Harvey’s marvelous career at Southern Miss, I remember a player who worked longer and harder than most in the weight room to make himself bigger and stronger than anyone that he would have to face. He was dedicated to making himself the best possible player that he could be and at the same time making the Golden Eagles a team no one wanted to challenge.
Marvin was a key part of a group of individuals that changed Southern Miss football. Joining Coach Bobby Collins and teammates like Sammy Winder, Reggie Collier, Louis Lipps and many others Harvey helped propel Golden Eagle to unparalleled heights.
Never before had a tight end been utilized by the Golden Eagles in the way, Harvey was. “Rock”, as coaches and teammates alike knew him, helped propel the Golden Eagles into the national football picture, a spot they haven’t relinquished.
When Harvey joined the Golden Eagles in the fall of 1973 out of Marianna, Florida, it was apparent immediately that he had the size, strength, speed and quickness to do more things in the offense than even Bobby Collins and his coaching staff thought possible when they recruited him.
As a freshman he caught just 11 passes, but they were for 343 yards and average of 31.2 yards per catch and two were for touchdowns.
The following year he caught 17 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns and began to establish him self as one of the top tight ends in the country.
He really came into his own as a junior, when he caught 18 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while earning all-South Independent honors and was named honorable mention All-American.
In 1980 as a senior he was a part of history when he helped lead the team to a 9-3 record a berth in the Independence Bowl, the first bowl berth for Southern Miss since the 1957 season. That team also became the first Southern Miss team to be ranked as a Division I team when they reached No. 20 in the Associated Press poll midway through the season. Harvey caught 28 passes that year for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Once again he was named to the all-South Independent team and was an honorable mention All-American.
Harvey would finish his career at Southern Miss tied for 12th in career receptions with 74 and 8th in total yards receiving with 1,286. His career average of 17.4 yards per catch is tied for the 8th best in school best, while only three players have ever caught more touchdowns than his eight.
Following his career with the Golden Eagles he was drafted in the 3rd- round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played two season. He also played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL.
When I think back on Harvey’s marvelous career at Southern Miss, I remember a player who worked longer and harder than most in the weight room to make himself bigger and stronger than anyone that he would have to face. He was dedicated to making himself the best possible player that he could be and at the same time making the Golden Eagles a team no one wanted to challenge.
Marvin was a key part of a group of individuals that changed Southern Miss football. Joining Coach Bobby Collins and teammates like Sammy Winder, Reggie Collier, Louis Lipps and many others Harvey helped propel Golden Eagle to unparalleled heights.
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