ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Second-round pick RJ Harvey stopped taking snaps and started taking handoffs when he arrived at the University of Central Florida in 2020.
The former high school quarterback initially attended the University of Virginia as he attempted to play the position at the collegiate level, but he soon realized his path to the NFL would arrive via a different position in the backfield.
Harvey's decision proved to be the right one, as he set UCF's all-time touchdown record and led the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns in his final collegiate season. He became just the second player in school history to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and only three FBS running backs had more rushing yards than Harvey over the last two seasons.
As Harvey took his first snaps as an NFL player during the Broncos' rookie minicamp, though, his experience at quarterback is still paying dividends.
"I feel like playing quarterback has given me an advantage with my vision," Harvey said Saturday. "I know what to expect. I can see what the defense is doing. I feel like that is giving me an advantage."
General Manager George Paton said after the 2025 NFL Draft that Harvey might have the best vision of any running back in the draft, and the skill was on display during Saturday's open practice.
So, too, was Harvey's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. While he caught just 20 passes last season, Harvey showed his athleticism on Saturday — and Head Coach Sean Payton said the team was intentional in getting the young player reps.
"I think when you look at a lot of college offenses, I don't know how often the running back is built into the passing game," Payton said. "I think they are, to some degree, but maybe a little bit more so at the NFL level. Today, we had two or three schemes that went in. … If you've got one of those plays in the script, we try to make sure he's getting that rep."
Payton said Harvey will have the ability to play on third down — in addition to first and second — because of a variety of protection options.
"There's a lot we can do … to really suit his strengths," Payton said.
And while Payton said the Broncos won't "make a habit" of asking Harvey to block larger blitzing linebackers, he does think Harvey's build will allow him to find success.
"If you watch his stature, he's put together pretty well," Payton said. "So, there's a difference between a small runner and a short runner. We're not interested in the small runners, but we're OK with the short runners."
As the Broncos develop their vision for Harvey, the young running back has already watched film of former Saints rushers Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara.
"[I] definitely want to be like those guys," Harvey said.
In the early days of practice, Payton and the Broncos seem encouraged by Harvey's progress.
"He's picked up very quickly on what we're doing," Payton said. "You can tell it's real important to him. … He's looked good, though. We're glad he's here."
Harvey — who replied "Bo Nix" when asked what made Denver an attractive landing spot — is glad to be with the Broncos, as well.
"I'm just so blessed and happy to be here in Broncos Country," Harvey said. "[I'm] just ready to showcase my skills to everybody."
