Former UCF running back RJ Harvey was recently recognized by the Panini Senior Bowl as their AFC Rookie of the Year for his performance with the Denver Broncos in the 2025 campaign.
Harvey led all NFL rookies with 12 touchdowns from scrimmage this past season. Seeing his role grow later in the season due to an injury to veteran Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins, Harvey started seven games in his rookie campaign. On the ground, Harvey carried 146 times for 540 yards and seven touchdowns. Through the air, he caught 47 passes on 58 targets with 356 yards and five touchdowns. Harvey also totaled 46 first downs on the year.
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In 2024, Harvey was a co-captain of the Knights' football team, rushing for career-highs of 1577 yards and 22 touchdowns. He averaged 131.4 rushing yards per game, rushing for more than 100 in nine of 12 games. Harvey's performance earned him First Team All-Big 12 honors and a spot as a national semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back. He was also named a Third Team All-American by both The Associated Press and Phil Steele at the end of the season.
The Orlando native spent the 2019 season at Virginia before joining UCF via the transfer portal. He finished his time with the Knights as the program's career leader in total touchdowns with 48. He also reached a total of 43 rushing touchdowns, enough for second in UCF's program history.
Harvey was a second-round selection (60th overall) by the Broncos in 2025. Denver finished the season with an overall record of 14-3 and an appearance in the AFC Championship game.
"I've gotten to meet R.J. a few times since I've been here," current UCF head coach Scott Frost said last July ahead of Harvey's rookie season. "You know, Ashley and I had our R.J. in 2017, so he's got the same name as my son, so my son likes him. But what a good guy. I think he landed in a really good spot in a place where he's going to get an opportunity to compete and do well. So I'm excited for him."
The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UCF are seeking a third consecutive year with a player selected after two former Knights were selected in each of the last two drafts. Defensive back Mac McWilliams was a fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, the 145th selection overall in 2025.
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