RJ Harvey RB UCF | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
RJ Harvey RB UCF
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.41 seconds (91%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 78.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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83% |
| Break Tackles: |
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72% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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58% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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37% |
| Run Blocking: |
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50% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#317
Position rank:
#29
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1412 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 80/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| George Holani - Boise State |
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82% |
| Jaden Shirden - Monmouth |
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81% |
| Mohamed Ibrahim - Minnesota |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
RJ Harvey, a running back from UCF, emerged as one of the most productive backs in the Big 12 during the 2023 season. The Orlando native overcame early career setbacks to become a Doak Walker Award semifinalist in his final collegiate campaign. Harvey's journey began at Edgewater High School, where he led a remarkable turnaround as the starting quarterback, transforming an 0-10 sophomore season into a state semifinal appearance his senior year.After a redshirt year at Virginia in 2019, Harvey transferred to UCF. He missed the 2021 season due to injury but bounced back strong in 2022, earning All-AAC honors. Harvey's breakout came in 2023, rushing for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns. He finished fourth in UCF single-season history for rushing yards and tied for second in rushing touchdowns. Harvey's late-season surge was particularly impressive, as he racked up 1,038 yards over the final eight games.
Harvey's academic achievements matched his on-field success. He graduated in May 2023 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and is now pursuing a second degree in pre-management. His performance in the classroom earned him multiple Dean's List honors and a spot on the 2022 AAC All-Academic Team
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite lateral quickness and jump-cut ability, consistently making defenders miss in tight spaces and creating yardage where none exists
- Exceptional contact balance combined with low pad level, allowing him to bounce off initial contact and maintain momentum through traffic
- Blazing speed and acceleration, demonstrated by his ability to hit home runs and outrun defensive backs in the open field
- Displays advanced vision and patience, setting up blocks effectively and finding cutback lanes in zone schemes
- Versatile skill set as both a runner and receiver, offering three-down potential with natural hands out of the backfield
- Proven workhorse back with the durability to handle a heavy workload, consistently producing chunk plays throughout the season
- Demonstrates excellent ball security, rarely putting the rock on the ground even in heavy traffic
- Big-play threat on every touch, capable of taking it to the house from anywhere on the field with breakaway speed
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame raises concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season and handle pass protection duties
- Can dance too much behind the line of scrimmage, leading to negative plays when he doesn't hit the hole with decisiveness
- Significant liability in pass protection, struggling to anchor against blitzing linebackers and pick up complex pressure packages
- Limited experience as a bell-cow back in a Power 5 conference, raising questions about his ability to handle a feature role
- Lacks ideal power to consistently move the pile in short-yardage situations or break tackles from NFL-caliber defenders
Scouting Report: Summary
Harvey brings a dynamic skill set to the table with his elite speed and elusiveness, making him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add explosiveness to their backfield. His ability to create in space and contribute in the passing game projects well to modern NFL offenses, particularly those employing zone-blocking schemes.Despite his playmaking ability, Harvey's frame and pass protection deficiencies may limit his immediate impact at the next level. He profiles best as a change-of-pace back early in his career, with the potential to grow into a larger role if he can improve his blocking and show he can withstand the physical toll of increased touches.
Teams will need to weigh Harvey's game-breaking potential against his limitations when considering his draft value. His combine performance, particularly his impressive 40 time, should generate buzz, but his overall skill set and production suggest he's likely to come off the board on day three. In the right system, Harvey has the tools to outplay his draft position and become a valuable offensive weapon.
Written By:
Andrew Moore (The American)
How other scouting services rate RJ Harvey (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
221.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
24.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.