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Long before he entered the 2025 NFL draft as one of the top running backs in the class, RJ Harvey grew up in Orlando, Florida, playing quarterback for Edgewater High School.
He was a star in high school, going 21-5 as a starter. In his senior season, the dual-threat QB threw for 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 1,376 rushing yards and 25 scores on the ground.
Harvey originally committed to Virginia and was a redshirt third-string QB in his freshman season. After a one-year stint with the Cavaliers, he transferred to UCF and converted to running back.
"[A]t first it was pretty difficult because my whole life I played quarterback, Harvey said. "So you know, I looked up to guys like Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson when I was in high school and growing up, Michael Vick especially, that’s one of the reasons I wear No. 7, you know, I wanted to be like him in high school."
The position switch turned out to be the right decision.
After rushing just three times in his first year with the Knights, Harvey had 118 carries in Year 2, followed by 226 in Year 3 and 232 in Year 4. He totaled 3,487 yards from scrimmage and scored 42 touchdowns from 2023-2024.
"I played quarterback all throughout my life and all throughout high school, got to UCF and had to change my position at UCF," Harvey said. "They actually recruited me in high school as a running back, but I was just so stuck on thinking that I’m a quarterback but, you know… I’m just, I’m excited. I’m happy that I made the right move. Going to UCF was the right move for me and my family. It’s just a blessing. It’s a blessing.”
Harvey threw a touchdown pass in his second season at UCF, and he scored on a double pass at the Senior Bowl earlier this year:
Perhaps Denver could utilize the running back's passing ability for trick plays this fall. And in addition to his obvious rushing skills, Harvey is also an underrated receiver out of the backfield.
Before the draft, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein described Harvey as a "[p]roductive, blue-collar back with a compact frame and a willingness to get his nose dirty on each snap."
After landing with the Denver Broncos in the second round of this year's NFL draft, Harvey figures to serve as the team's new starting running back in 2025. And who knows, maybe we'll see Harvey in some Wild Cat formations -- similar to how Sean Payton used Taysom Hill as a run-heavy quarterback with the New Orleans Saints.
Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey was a star dual-threat QB before RB switch
Continue reading...
He was a star in high school, going 21-5 as a starter. In his senior season, the dual-threat QB threw for 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 1,376 rushing yards and 25 scores on the ground.
Harvey originally committed to Virginia and was a redshirt third-string QB in his freshman season. After a one-year stint with the Cavaliers, he transferred to UCF and converted to running back.
"[A]t first it was pretty difficult because my whole life I played quarterback, Harvey said. "So you know, I looked up to guys like Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson when I was in high school and growing up, Michael Vick especially, that’s one of the reasons I wear No. 7, you know, I wanted to be like him in high school."
The position switch turned out to be the right decision.
After rushing just three times in his first year with the Knights, Harvey had 118 carries in Year 2, followed by 226 in Year 3 and 232 in Year 4. He totaled 3,487 yards from scrimmage and scored 42 touchdowns from 2023-2024.
"I played quarterback all throughout my life and all throughout high school, got to UCF and had to change my position at UCF," Harvey said. "They actually recruited me in high school as a running back, but I was just so stuck on thinking that I’m a quarterback but, you know… I’m just, I’m excited. I’m happy that I made the right move. Going to UCF was the right move for me and my family. It’s just a blessing. It’s a blessing.”
Harvey threw a touchdown pass in his second season at UCF, and he scored on a double pass at the Senior Bowl earlier this year:
Why not once more@UCF_Football RB RJ Harvey, a former QB recruit, gets the backward pass and throws the touchdown to @TerpsFootball WR Tai Felton.
This Senior Bowl has been a super fun one. pic.twitter.com/H8WJ0WOkH2
— NFL Draft Content - Scouting (@draftlives_here) February 1, 2025
Perhaps Denver could utilize the running back's passing ability for trick plays this fall. And in addition to his obvious rushing skills, Harvey is also an underrated receiver out of the backfield.
Colorado fans may remember RJ Harvey
The new Broncos RB scored a 75 yard TD on the Buffs back in September. #9sportspic.twitter.com/fwi4iOhS26
— Scotty Gange (@Scotty_G6) April 26, 2025
Before the draft, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein described Harvey as a "[p]roductive, blue-collar back with a compact frame and a willingness to get his nose dirty on each snap."
After landing with the Denver Broncos in the second round of this year's NFL draft, Harvey figures to serve as the team's new starting running back in 2025. And who knows, maybe we'll see Harvey in some Wild Cat formations -- similar to how Sean Payton used Taysom Hill as a run-heavy quarterback with the New Orleans Saints.
Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey was a star dual-threat QB before RB switch
Continue reading...
