ORLANDO — RJ Harvey‘s first trip to Las Vegas was a memorable whirlwind in the midst of a record-setting heat wave.
Joined by UCF teammates KJ Jefferson, Kobe Hudson, Lee Hunter and Deshawn Pace in attending Big 12 media days, Harvey enjoyed seeing the famous Strip emerge from a backdrop of sand and mountains from his seat on a private jet.
Between packing in dozens of interview with local and national media outlets, the 5-foot-9, 205-pound fifth-year senior running back met captains and coaches from across the league, got a sneak peek at EA Sports’ highly anticipated College Football 25 video game and crossed paths with NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — in town for a Summer Olympics contest between the U.S. and Canada — at the team’s hotel.
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The talking is largely, finally out of the way. Fall camp gets underway in two weeks with the Knights aiming to prove doubters wrong and exceed the eighth-place expectations placed upon them in the league’s preseason media poll.
In order to do that, Harvey will need to produce another stellar season. Last year, he finished as the sixth-leading rusher in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,416 yards and scored the second-most rushing touchdowns (16) in a single season in UCF history.
The News-Journal caught up with Harvey this past weekend during his inaugural youth football camp at Edgewater High School for a one-on-one Q&A about his top-100 ranking in EA Sports College Football 25, picking the brains of a pair of Pro Bowlers and whether the Knights can challenge for the Big 12 championship.
Head coach Gus Malzahn mentioned during media day that your team plays just two common opponents, adding your Big 12 schedule is “almost like a completely new conference.” How do you feel about where your team stands going into Year 2 from a preparation standpoint?
Harvey: This is basically Year 1 again. We only play (Cincinnati) and West Virginia from last year. It’s like we’re in a totally different conference. We play all the new Pac-12 teams that came in. And we’re still new to the league, too. So we’re trying to prove to everybody that we belong and that last year wasn’t meant to be. We’re just trying to win every game this year.
KJ Jefferson was asked about his motivation and competitive edge, citing the photo in his locker room of Skip Bayless calling Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders “the best QB in the country.” What are you using as fuel to drive you this coming season?
Harvey: My teammates. They push me hard. (Director of Football Strength and Conditioning Anthony) Kincy’s got us competing in workouts each and every day, even if it’s speed drills or conditioning drills. We’re just going at it.
They don’t talk about UCF a lot in the media, so that drives everybody. We want to prove to everybody that we’re going to be way better than last year.
Pro Football Focus listed UCF’s running back room among the best in the nation. What might people not know about your group, and how can the group improve from adding Peny Boone in the spring portal window?
Harvey: This year, we are very versatile. We have a running back for any situation. If I come out the game, there shouldn’t be a dropoff. We all push each other and work hard. I’m the veteran in our room, so whatever those guys need help with, I’m always there for them. They know they can ask me anything. I want to see them succeed the same way they want to see me succeed.
Peny came in wanting to work hard, trying to gain everybody’s trust. I wanted him to come to UCF. He’s going to make me better. Every time I see him make a big run in practice, that’s only going to make me want to be better than him. It’s going to be fun competition in practice, and we’re going to dominate the field on Saturdays.
In EA Sports College Football 25, you’re among the top-100 players at a 91 overall rating. Any complaints with the developers, or are you happy with yourself in the game?
Harvey: I was happy with it. The only thing that caught me off guard was the 74 (rating) in strength. But I saw someone on Twitter say no running back got over a 90. I guess that’s just how they do it. But I feel like I deserve at least an 80.
Alright, state your case. What are your numbers in the weight room?
Harvey: We don’t max out at UCF, but my squat for sure is above 550 (pounds). Bench, I’m definitely 405 or more.
What were your impressions playing EA Sports College Football 25 for the first time as far as gameplay and UCF’s presentation?
Harvey: It’s very fun. To me, it’s way better than Madden. The Bounce House is similar to the real Bounce House. Everybody’s going to be shocked with how realistic it is. KJ is a dog in the game, I’m a dog, Peny’s a dog, X (Xavier Townsend), Chauncey (Magwood), Kobe (Hudson), all them.
Like I said at media day, it’s a huge blessing. I always dreamed of being in a video game. Fast forward 10 years later, I’m in NCAA. I’ve only got one year being in this game so I want to make the most of my opportunity. Hopefully my overall rating goes up by the time the season’s over. I just want everyone to know who I am.
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Daytona Beach News-Journal
