RH #12

RJ Harvey

Running Back · UCF

A converted quarterback who became UCF's highest-drafted running back ever, RJ Harvey now shares the Denver backfield workload.

RJ Harvey arrived in Denver as a second-round pick with an unusual origin story - he began his college career as a quarterback before finding his footing as one of the most explosive backs in the country. Compact at 5-foot-8 but built for contact, Harvey spent his rookie year working into a featured role behind the Broncos' offensive line.

★ Highest-drafted running back in UCF history (No. 60 overall, 2025)

★ Third-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 (2024)

★ Doak Walker Award semifinalist (2023)

★ NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 8, 2025)

Path to the league

Harvey started his college career at Virginia as a redshirt freshman quarterback before transferring to UCF and switching to running back. He broke out with the Knights, topping 1,400 rushing yards in each of his final two seasons, and the Broncos took him with the 60th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted running back in UCF history.

Career highlights

In his final season at UCF in 2024, Harvey rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns on 232 carries while averaging 6.8 yards per attempt, earning third-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was also a Doak Walker Award semifinalist in 2023 after a 1,416-yard season.

2025 season recap

Harvey's rookie season started slowly as he shared touches in Denver's backfield, but his role expanded after J.K. Dobbins went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 10. He finished with 540 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, adding 356 receiving yards and five receiving scores for 896 total yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named NFL Rookie of the Week following a three-touchdown Week 8 performance.