Eli Harold to Virginia: Virginia Beach, VA DE Signs with Cavaliers | National Signing Day 2012

6'4" / 215 lbs / 4.6

Eli Harold is the blue chip recruit of the Class of 2012.

Rankings:
- ESPN: 4* / 80 Rating / #15 DE / #4 State / #16 Regional / #124 National
- Rivals: 4* / 6.0 Rating / #5 WDE / #1 State / #50 National
- Scout: 5* / #1 OLB
- _247: 5* / 98 Rating / #4 WDE / #1 State / #22 National

Other Offers: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, LSU, Maryland, Marshall, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Notes: "incredible burst off the ball" ... "good wingspan and great closing speed" ... "explosive, raw upside as a speed edge rusher" ... "Athletically he is very gifted" ... "one of the best big athletes in the country"

Quotables:

"When I first found out it was Virginia was when I sat down the first time with Coach London. He blew me away, convinced me and after that I kind of opened up a little bit. It all just came together, just gelled together and all made sense if I do go there. I can really see myself going there, contending for a spot on the roster with people I know, working hard like every freshman does and try to get on the field."

"I'm a defensive end. I'm an athlete, but I'm a defensive end. They say it's one of the most athletic positions now in the NFL. It's the most needed position. Without a pass rush, you have no team. What are your linebackers and safeties going to do with no pass rush? That's how you get the interceptions. Pass rushers are real critical on a defense."