Moon Township, Pa. – Defensive back
Tavin Harville of the RMU football team joined an exclusive fraternity in program history Saturday, signing a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).
Harville, a native of Detroit, Mich., is the eighth member of the Colonials to sign an NFL deal and the first since defensive back Marcelis Branch (2012-16) inked a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. Branch also signed a future/reserve contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.
In 13 games during the 2021 calendar year, covering the spring and fall seasons, Harville started each of RMU's contests and accrued 36 tackles, including 19 solo takedowns. He also posted five pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. Harville recorded a season-high six tackles in a 22-16 victory over Howard (9/25) at Joe Walton Stadium and notched interceptions in consecutive road games at North Alabama (10/16) and Gardner-Webb (10/23).
Originally recruited by RMU as a wide receiver, Harville notched 14 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman in 2017, including a 72-yard touchdown catch in his NCAA Division I debut, a 13-10 victory over Dayton (9/2) at Joe Walton Stadium.
Also to see time in NFL camps with a free agent contract from RMU include wide receiver DeLonte Perkins (Green Bay Packers), quarterback Tim Levcik (Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers), defensive back Robb Butler (San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs) and offensive lineman A.J. Dalton (Detroit Lions).
RMU running back Tim Hall (1994-95) was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round (183rd overall pick) of the 1996 NFL Draft. Hall still owns NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) single-season and career records for yards per rush at 8.7 yards in 1994 and 7.4 over the course of his two years with the Colonials.
Former RMU offensive lineman Hank Fraley (1996-99) also signed a free agent contract with the Steelers in April of 2000. Claimed off waivers the following August by the Philadelphia Eagles, Fraley started at center the entire 2001 season. For four consecutive years with Fraley starting at center from 2002-05, the Eagles appeared in the NFC Championship game. In 2005, Fraley became the first RMU football alum to appear in the Super Bowl when he started at center against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Harville is the first RMU student-athlete to sign with an NFL team under head coach
Bernard Clark, Jr., who will enter his fifth year at the helm of the Colonials in 2022. Under Clark's tutelage, RMU tied for third in the Big South last season and finished 4-1 (.800) in home games at Joe Walton Stadium.
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | RMU Athletics Gameday App
