In brutal Alabama summers, the Auburn Tigers split themselves up for sprints, each position running with their own. Linemen. Quarterbacks. Skill-position guys.<\/p>\n
Except a young Bo Nix, at the time trying to find himself in SEC ball, defected. He\u2019d jump in next to the wideouts. He wanted to push.<\/p>\n
And the quarterback, as former Auburn receiver Kobe Hudson remembered, won almost every sprint.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the summertime, he always felt like, \u2018Y\u2019all gon\u2019 be able to count on me during the season,’\u201d Hudson said of Nix. \u201cSo, I just took that and just ran with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Years later, after Hudson became Nix\u2019s leading receiver at Auburn in 2021, the pass catcher found another kindred soul down in Florida. In brutal Orlando summers, the UCF Knights would assemble for sprints, and running back RJ Harvey paced the pack. He and Hudson would wheel side-by-side, on each other\u2019s heels. Pushing each other, so that 90-degree fourth quarters would feel like first quarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways that guy that was out in front, every time \u2014 the fourth quarter, to just lead, like, \u2018Y\u2019all can count on me,’\u201d Hudson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo kinda, he and Bo are the same guy,\u201d Hudson continued. \u201cBo\u2019s just a little more outgoing than RJ. But,\u00a0fourth quarter, those are two guys y\u2019all will be able to count on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ask most anyone on this Earth who knows Harvey, and they\u2019ll tell you the Broncos\u2019 second-round pick isn\u2019t the type to say much. But the UCF back didn\u2019t hesitate when asked during rookie minicamp why he wanted to be drafted by Denver.<\/p>\n
\u201cBo Nix,\u201d Harvey said with an ear-splitting grin. \u201cI love how he plays.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rookie running back and sophomore QB took the field together for the first time this past week at OTAs, the foundation of head coach Sean Payton\u2019s offense for the foreseeable future. Fireworks didn\u2019t exactly set off in Dove Valley, beyond a couple of nice quick-hit reps from Nix to Harvey out of the backfield. But Hudson, an undrafted free-agent signee with the Carolina Panthers, feels the two will \u201cexcel together,\u201d as he told Harvey himself.<\/p>\n
Hudson played three years with Harvey at UCF and roomed with him his senior year. They\u2019ve talked nearly every day after OTAs. And naturally, the conversation turned to Nix.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just told me he loved Bo,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cI knew he would love Bo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The key to Nix and Harvey\u2019s connection in Denver\u2019s backfield will be Harvey\u2019s ability to blossom in the passing game. The back never caught more than 22 passes in any season of his college career. Still, Payton and general manager George Paton drafted him seeing a playmaker in space, with upside concealed within the rigidity of the Knights\u2019 offense. And Harvey, Hudson vouched, had \u201csome of the best hands on the team\u201d at UCF.<\/p>\n
Nix, even, dropped a massive hint as to Harvey\u2019s utilization at his Thursday presser.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can run the ball,\u201d Nix said. \u201cBut I think it\u2019s the other things that he\u2019s showing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hudson has shared offenses with both. Has sweated next to both. He knows Nix will push Harvey, the same as Nix did him.<\/p>\n
And he called his shot on a partnership that\u2019ll help carry or sink Denver\u2019s fortunes in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will be like, two of the best \u2013 one of the best quarterback-running back duos in the league, I believe, this year coming out,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cLike, first year.\u201d<\/p>\n