NFL Draft Profile: UCF running back RJ Harvey

Harvey was very productive in college and could be an intriguing option for the Broncos in the draft.

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the mid rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft is UCF running back RJ Harvey. He is a 5’8”, 205-pound running back who was ultra-productive in college and is viewed as one of the top backs in this year’s draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Harvey graded as his 95th overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft and ranks him as his 8th best back in the draft.

Harvey played a total of four seasons at UCF and is coming off back-to-back productive seasons for them. During his four seasons, he appeared in 41 games and had 579 carries for 3,792 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and had 43 rushing touchdowns while also having 61 receptions for 720 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. This past season, he appeared in 12 games and had 232 carries for 1,577 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry, and 22 rushing touchdowns while having 20 receptions for 267 yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Player Profile

RJ Harvey | Running Back | UCF

• Height: 5’8”
• Weight: 205 pounds
• Hands: 9 inches
• Arm Length: 29 inches
• Age: 24 years old
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.4 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.57 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 38 inches
• Broad Jump: 10’7”
• 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.34 seconds
• Bench Press: 16 reps

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Super productive back in college with a nose for the end zone
• Runs with a low center of gravity and has a short, stocky build
• Quick and active feet that keep moving through contact
• A bit of a pinball as a runner, as he bounces off contact
• Good athleticism and has the speed and burst to run by defenders and create big plays
• Elusive runner with good open-field moves to make defenders miss
• Physical runner who isn’t afraid of contact
• Productive as a receiver

Weaknesses

• 24 years old already
• Has some minor fumble concerns
• Struggles as a pass blocker
• Tends to bounce runs outside a little too much

RJ Harvey RAS

What other analysts are saying about UCF running back RJ Harvey

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on RB RJ Harvey

Productive, blue-collar back with a compact frame and a willingness to get his nose dirty on each snap. Harvey lacks creativity and burst but adds yards after contact with contact balance and lower-body strength. While he’s well built, he’s not a big back by NFL standards, so he needs to run with better vision and tempo to get past second-level defenders at a decent rate. He’s a dump-and-dash pass catcher with below-average pass protection, so he’s unlikely to compete for third-down reps. Harvey’s will as a runner is admirable, but backup duty might be his ceiling.

Final Thoughts

Harvey is a productive back who comes with some intriguing talent but also with some flaws that may not make him a fit for the Broncos.

First, the good. He is an explosive low-center-of-gravity bowling ball who bounces off contact and has a nose for the end zone. He is tough to tackle and can make people miss in open space. While not a dynamic pass-catcher, he has talent and the ability to make plays in the passing game. I think he can be a valuable back in a rotation who has the talent to be a starter for some teams.

Now, the negatives. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie at a position that can decline quickly as they age. That alone probably knocks him to day 3, but it may not be the biggest concern with most rookie backs viewed as one-contract guys. He does come with some fumbling concerns, but they can always be corrected with coaching. My biggest concern is his pass-blocking. It’s not good and while he adds value as a pass-catcher, he struggles in pass protection. Payton values pass-blocking, and this is an area that Harvey needs to improve.

Overall, I came out of this really liking Harvey’s game. He’s a productive rusher who can carve out a role as a starter in this league. His pass-catching ability is an added bonus and I think he can be a steal for the Broncos on day 3 of the draft. He does come with some concerns, but I believe his rushing upside outweighs all that. I’d like to see him paired with another back and be part of a talented Broncos rotation at running back.