Eli Harold

Despite the Virginia football program averaging under four wins per season the past three years, the Cavaliers' defense has several intriguing prospects, most notably Harold, who decided to declare early for the 2015 NFL Draft. After serving as a freshman backup, he started every game the last two seasons, combining for 36.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks over his career. Harold, who lined up as a defensive end and linebacker in Virginia's multiple 3-4 scheme, is a good-sized athlete with movement skills and if there was one word to accurately describe his game, it would be "active." He doesn't always have a plan and needs to better marry together his athleticism, power and technique, but defensive coordinators simply need to give him direction and then wind him up and let him loose.

strengths

Quick starter out of his stance with burst and long-striding acceleration. Launches himself like a track athlete from his three point stance, keeping his pad level low with proper leverage. Agile feet to sidestep blockers in space and terrific speed in pursuit to chase down ballcarriers. The motor never quits, always going full-speed to the ball until the whistle. Does a nice job re-setting his eyes after his initial rush doesn't work, showing natural dip to turn the corner around the tackle without slowing down. He is at his best when using his length to extend, lock out and drive blockers backwards. Productive career with 24 starts under his belt.

compares to

Ezekiel Ansah, Lions -- Going by simply the size measurements, they are very different players, but Harold shows flashes of a smaller version of Ansah with his natural athleticism, length and raw skill-set. Harold is unlikely to be a top-five pick like Ansah, but there is similar intrigue.

weaknesses

Lean and lanky build with average bulk and needs to develop his upper and lower body strength. Rushes too upright and needs to show more consistent bend. Average functional power and needs to more consistently avoid bodies near the line of scrimmage, too easily slowed by contact. Better pass rusher than run defender and needs to do a better job holding the edge. Hand technique needs work to better stack-and-shed and untie himself from blockers. Hyperactive and needs to be more efficient with his movements to eliminate wasted momentum. Will get too far upfield at times and creates more ground to cover for himself. Shows flashes of burst, pop and pass rush moves, but doesn't consistently marry his athleticism, power and technique together from snap-to-snap. Limited experience dropping in space or playing in reverse.

Played defensive end at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott

ESPNU Top 150 prospect

SuperPrep Elite 50 prospect

SuperPrep All-American

SuperPrep Mid-Atlantic Defensive Player of the Year

247Sports.com All-American

the No. 34 prospect on SI.com's 247Sports' Top 100

ranked the No. 1 overall player in the state of Virginia by Rivals

ranked the No. 5 defensive end nationally by Rivals

ranked the No. 50 overall prospect by Rivals

five stars from Scout

ranked the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect by Scout

ranked the No. 15 defensive end in the nation by ESPN

earned a scouts grade of 80 from ESPN.com

four stars by ESPN and Rivals

played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was selected as a team captain for the East squad

SI.com honorable mention All-American

collected 78 tackles and 16 sacks as a senior

played quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense while accounting for 1,146 total yards and 20 touchdowns in a wildcat offense

led the Dolphins with 41 receptions for 723 yards

first-team All-Tidewater pick

Beach District Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-district selection at wide receiver and defensive end

African American studies major.