Under the radar 2025 Florida TE/DE Jonathan Harding up to 12 offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As smooth and good as Jonathan Harding (6-4, 225) already is, he will only get better. The Class of 2025 tight end/defensive end for Florida’s The Villages Charter School is a difference maker on both sides of the ball but will be that dynamic offensive option at the next level.
Harding kept the Buffalo’s statistician busy throughout the 2023 season compiling meaningful numbers. Coming off the edge, Harding tallied 65 stops, seven sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, and 20 QB hurries. When the field was flipped, the rising star hauled in 47 passes for 548 yards with six touchdowns. During pivotal moments in games, Harding carried the rock 14 times for 48 yards with four trips into the end zone.
“I primarily played tight end, H-back, and the Y position,” Harding said. “We used two tight ends. Because I am athletic, they used me at H-back. We had injuries, so I played the Y as well. When I played tight end, I had my hand in dirt. I played defensive end, and I played some Wildcat at quarterback for us on designed runs.”
Asked about the traits that help him stand out on the gridiron, Harding replied, “My athleticism. I am more athletic than the linebackers we play, and I am too big and physical for corners to cover me. I can stretch the field as a tight end, not many can do that. I feel that I have elite pass catching abilities and I am a physical blocker. I can get my hands dirty when needed. I will sacrifice for my team to make a big block for sure.”
Harding continued covering his abilities on defense, “I have good speed on the edge; I can get past the bigger tackles that don’t move well. The lighter tackles, I can out physical them with bullrushes.”
Between tight end and defensive end, Harding has a favorite.
“Definitely tight end,” Harding shared. “That is what I will be playing in college.”
Working to get his skills ready for this fall, Harding is getting after it this spring.
“I am running track now to get my speed up,” Harding stated. “This upcoming year will be big. My speed is increasing a lot. When I get in the open field, I will have that extra burst. I am in the weight room three times a week with my team, and I am doing field work with my brother running routes. This offseason I am working on perfecting my craft, and I am working on blocking with the sleds.”
Competing at his first exposure camp in 2024, Harding walked away grabbing everyone’s attention in Orlando.
“I competed at the Army Bowl combine; I was one of the top tight ends there,” Harding said. “I was one of the top performers overall. I talked to their guy; they have their tight ends committed for their game but if any drop out I will be the next one up to play in the Army Bowl game.”
Collegiate programs have extended 12 offers to Harding so far. The opportunities are coming in a hurry.
“I got Kent State on Saturday, and the day before that was Memphis; that was a big offer,” Harding shared. “Before that, Army and Navy offered.”
Details to the Memphis offer were shared, “They saw my film; they liked me. They have been talking to me for a while. They wanted me up there to see me, and to build that relationship. I went up there for a spring practice, they offered me at the end of the day.”
The dozen opportunities are about to add some more friends.
“USF, they have been showing a lot of interest and for a while,” Harding stated. “They call me just about every Wednesday. Other schools showing interest, Temple, they talk to me a lot, Georgia Southern, and Arkansas State talks to me a lot.
“Toledo has been talking to me for a while now. West Virginia has been showing interest for a bit; I went to a Junior Day there. Liberty is talking to me; I went to a Junior Day there as well. Georgia Tech is showing interest. Arkansas State wants to see me in person to offer me.”
The campuses seen in 2024 already were listed by Harding, “West Virginia, Liberty, Memphis, USF for a practice last week, and Kennesaw State.”
The time in Tampa was covered.
“It was awesome,” Harding said. “I went to meetings, talked to their coaches for a good bit, met the players, and went to their practice.”
Asked about head coach Alex Golesh’s offense, Harding replied, “I like their offense. I think they are starting to use their tight ends now with coach Golesh taking over. They are using the high-tempo offense he ran at Tennessee; I like it a lot. They use their tight ends well.”
More announcements asking to straighten the back rest and put up the tray table are ahead for Harding.
“On April 10, I will be at Army,” Harding shared. “On April 19, I will be at Delaware for their spring game. I have an offer from them. And then I will be at Memphis on April 20 for their spring game, and I will be at Arkansas State on April 20; they are about an hour apart. From May 30 to June 1, I will be on a bus tour. We are going to Georgia, Troy, Auburn, West Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia Southern. On June 2, I will be back at USF.”