
RJ Harvey Joins the NFL: How the Denver Broncos Got Their New Running Back
Sometimes, fate has perfect timing. RJ Harvey barely had a chance to dig into his dinner before his phone rang — and just like that, his NFL dream became reality.
On Friday night, the Denver Broncos made the UCF running back their 60th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It was an emotional and unforgettable moment for Harvey, his family, and everyone who believed in his journey.
Let’s break down how this incredible night unfolded and what Harvey brings to the Broncos.
How Did RJ Harvey Find Out He Was Drafted?
It’s the kind of story you couldn’t script better.
Harvey, relaxing with friends and family in Orlando, stepped away from the TV for a moment to fix a plate of food. Almost instantly, his phone lit up — Denver was calling.
“Right before my phone started ringing, I felt like Denver was gonna get me. It was crazy,” Harvey said.
His father, Robert Harvey Sr., had joked earlier that the phone would ring the moment RJ left the room — and he wasn’t wrong. As RJ answered the call, his mom Juliet Harvey cried tears of joy, and about 30 friends and family members erupted in celebration.
It was a moment of pure magic, one they’ll all remember forever.
Why Was RJ Harvey “Underrated” Before the Draft?
Despite putting up monster numbers at UCF, many draft experts predicted Harvey would go anywhere between the third and fifth rounds. But Harvey and his family always believed otherwise.
“I feel like I’ve been doubted throughout this whole process for whatever reason,” Harvey said. “It could be because of the UCF logo.”
At UCF, Harvey rushed for 3,792 yards — second most in school history — and 48 career touchdowns, a program record. Yet playing at a non-Power 5 school like UCF may have caused some scouts to overlook just how dynamic he was.
His story is a reminder that talent speaks for itself, no matter where it comes from.
How Did Harvey’s Past as a Quarterback Shape His Game?
Before becoming one of college football’s most explosive running backs, Harvey was actually a quarterback throughout youth football and high school.
He faced constant doubts about his size and ability to play quarterback. Coaches told him he couldn’t do it. But Harvey ignored the noise — and excelled.
“All throughout high school, people were telling me I was too short to play quarterback and when I was there, I was the best quarterback in Orlando,” he said.
That quarterback background gave Harvey a different kind of football intelligence — vision, anticipation, and leadership — traits that now make him even more dangerous as a running back.
And the scary part? Harvey believes he’s just scratching the surface of his potential:
“I’ve got a lot of room to grow and I’m not even near my prime yet.”
What Can Broncos Fans Expect From RJ Harvey?
At 5-foot-8 and 208 pounds, Harvey may not have prototypical size, but what he lacks in height, he more than makes up for in explosiveness, toughness, and versatility.
Expect Harvey to:
- Fight for tough yards between the tackles
- Break off big runs with his quick burst
- Catch passes out of the backfield
- Be a major factor in short-yardage and goal-line situations
Given his chip-on-the-shoulder mentality, Harvey will enter Denver’s locker room ready to prove he belonged in the second round — and maybe even higher.
Oh, and somewhere down the line, he might even finally get to finish that dinner he left behind on draft night.
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