DJ Harvey’s Homecoming
Julius Johnston, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
9/6/2025
Every young football player from Los Angeles dreams of playing for USC and representing their city on the biggest of stages. For redshirt senior cornerback DJ Harvey, a local product of Palmdale, Calif., donning the Cardinal and Gold means coming full circle and making both his family and his community proud.
As a child, Harvey was taught that family is more than just sharing a last name. Harvey and his two older sisters learned that family meant loyalty, accountability and showing up for one another through both victories and struggles.
“From a young age, I was taught the importance of being a family-oriented guy,” he said. “My mom always wanted to do family-centric things like eating at the table together, going over to my uncle’s house, going to the pool together, stuff like that.”
This tight-knit relationship with his mother never skipped a beat, even when Harvey left for college.
“That's my best friend,” Harvey said. “She does everything; she's been there for me. She has an older brother that was in the playbook and played football. So, she understands my lane and how I move on the field. She's just been my biggest supporter in everything I do.”
Harvey, a high school MaxPreps All-American, began his collegiate football career at Virginia Tech. After two seasons as a Hokie (2021-22), he decided to move back towards the west coast and play at San José State. As a Spartan for two seasons (2023-24), Harvey recorded 86 tackles, including 8.5 for loss (with 2 sacks), 15 PBUs, 4 INTs and 1 pick six through 23 games. He also had 2 kickoff returns for 33 yards (16.5 avg.) and 5 punt returns for 12 yards (2.4 avg.).
Harvey’s final season of eligibility brought his story full circle. He returned home to compete for the program he watched as a child, and he transferred to USC in January of 2025.
Growing up, making the drive from Palmdale to Downtown LA to watch USC football games was regular occurrence. This established a connection to the Trojans for Harvey from a young age.
When he arrived at Troy, he was welcomed with open arms – not just from his immediate family, but also from his godbrother, USC safety Kamari Ramsey, who was once again looking forward to competing on the same sideline.
Harvey and Ramsey grew up just five minutes away from one another. From peewee football to playing together at Sierra Canyon High School, their two lives have been intertwined since their childhood and ultimately, solidified into something stronger as adults.
“We’ve been close since we were kids,” said Harvey. “He became my best friend over the years, and he’s someone I can always rely on.”
Harvey feels blessed to not only return home to suit up alongside his closest friend, but because his family can now watch him play in person each weekend at the Coliseum.
“I can’t thank God enough because everything happens for a reason -- the highs and the lows. So Him putting me in the greatest position to give my family a chance to come to my games, I have to go out there and play my best each and every day.”
As he took the field through the Coliseum tunnel last weekend for the first time, his emotions were high.
“It felt like a dream,” he said with a smile. “From growing up and seeing the Coliseum on TV to it being my last first home game, it felt great, especially to have all my family there. That’s what drives me: seeing the people I love enjoy what I do.”
Moments like this are a reminder of how far Harvey has come. Growing up in Palmdale wasn’t always the easiest experience, but it shaped him into the man he’s become today.
“The best way I can describe it is you either play sports or you’re in the streets,” noted Harvey. “My mom didn’t want me to be out in the streets, so when those streetlights came on, I had to go home and stay out trouble. Football kept me locked in.”
Harvey’s youth and hometown provided him with perspective, but today, he focuses on making a name for himself and putting Palmdale on the map.
“Someday, I want to be in the group that when you bring up Palmdale, you either mention me or Kamari’s name,” said Harvey. “I’m really looking forward to leaving a positive mark on my city.”
Every time he puts on his helmet and takes to the Coliseum field, it’s an opportunity for Harvey to honor his family, his city and the journey that brought him here. With Palmdale metaphorically on his back and USC vibrant on his chest, Harvey is working to leave a legacy for the next generation to follow.
