Former UCLA Bruins running back TJ Harden built his reputation as a physical, versatile back over three seasons with UCLA before transferring to SMU for his final college season.
The Los Angeles native quickly made an impact in Texas, finishing the year with nine rushing touchdowns while showcasing his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.
Now training in Dallas ahead of the NFL Draft, Harden is focused on refining his game while reflecting on the journey that took him from Inglewood high school football to major college programs and the doorstep of the NFL.
Exclusive Interview With Former UCLA Bruins RB TJ Harden
Q: What does a typical day look like for you right now, preparing for the NFL Draft?
“Yeah, man, obviously preparing for the draft and everything. I’m staying in Texas right now, in Dallas, and I drive out to Fort Worth every day to train. I usually start early, depending on the day. Could be an 8 a.m. day, could be a 10 a.m. day.
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In the morning, we’ll usually have speed work or position work and everything. Later, we’ll have a lift, so I’ll stay there until then and do recovery and all that. That’s just what my everyday life looks like right now.”
Q: When did you first start playing football?
“I started playing football when I was around six years old. My mom just wanted to give me something to do because my godbrothers were playing. I just fell in love with it instantly.
I used to watch football before that, and I played Madden a lot before I started playing football, so once I touched the field, I just fell in love with the game right away.”
Q: What was it like seeing yourself in the new college football video game after playing NCAA 14 growing up?
“It was crazy because I used to play NCAA 14 back when NCAA got discontinued. Then the first year of it relaunching, me actually being in a trailer and being in the game and everything was a really cool experience.”
Q: Was there a player you admired growing up?
“The reason why I wore 27, that’s the number I usually wear, because I used to watch Eddie George highlights when I was little. Obviously not back in the day, but I watched his highlights a lot.
I just liked his running style. He was a bigger back and brought something different to the game as a running back.”
Q: You grew up in the LA area and played high school football in Inglewood. How did that shape you?
“It was great to be in LA. That’s home, that’s where I grew up and where my family’s from. It meant a lot to stay in LA as long as possible.
Through elementary school, middle school, high school, and even college for three years, it was just a blessing to be home for as long as I could.”
Q: When you think back on your UCLA career, what stands out the most?
“UCLA was a great spot for me coming out of high school. I got my degree there, which was great. Number one public university.
But the biggest thing I cherish is being at home, representing the city. A lot of people from the city would come to the games. That was just a cool experience all around.”
Q: One of your biggest moments at UCLA was the 2023 USC game, where you rushed for 142 yards. What do you remember about that night?
“I just remember going into that game knowing it was my first year actually playing a lot. That was my first time really knowing I was about to play in the rivalry game.
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Growing up, that was a huge rivalry in the city. Being from the city, I just knew I had to go out there and have a great game. It was just a great experience being out there and enjoying that moment.”
Q: UCLA had a crowded running back room with Carson Steele and Keegan Jones. How did you balance competition with supporting each other?
“Carson and Keegan, those are definitely both my guys. It was friendly competition during spring ball and fall camp, but we all knew we were going to share the carries.
Those are really my dogs. We didn’t really bump heads. We just got the work done on the field.”
Q: You spent several years with DeShaun Foster as your running backs coach and then head coach. What did you learn from him?
“He’s been there and experienced it, playing in the league and everything. From that, I learned a lot of specific running back things that he picked up during his time playing.
He taught me a lot of different things about the position.”
Q: UCLA has quietly sent several running backs to the NFL recently. Did you learn anything from watching those guys?
“Zach Charbonnet was like the head honcho of the room when I first got there. He was the leader. He taught me a lot.
He was a guy who led by example. He showed up every day. Zach’s going to be Zach every day. He’s a hard worker, and he’s quiet. He doesn’t talk about what he does; he just handles his business. Being under his wing was a great experience.”
Q: Is there an NFL running back you try to model your game after?
“I wouldn’t say I model my game after anyone specifically, but I watch a lot of guys in the league. I watch Saquon a lot, Derrick Henry, and Christian McCaffrey.
Really, any running back that’s doing well. I’ve also been watching Jahmyr Gibbs a lot recently.”
Q: In 2024, you caught 40 passes. Was that something you wanted to expand in your game?
“I kind of say both. I always knew I could catch the ball out of the backfield and make people miss downfield.
A lot of those catches came naturally, too. If the quarterback had to abandon the play, he would find me in the backfield, and we ran a lot of screens. Every time I touch the ball, I just try to make the most of it.”
Q: The NFL asks running backs to do everything now, catching passes and blocking. Where do you think your skill set fits?
“Like you said, it’s important to do everything nowadays. The thing I cherish the most is pass protection.
If you can’t block, you can’t get the rock. But I’ve also shown I can catch the ball, and I feel like I’ve shown speed on tape. I just try to do everything.”
Q: How difficult was the decision to leave UCLA and transfer to SMU?
“I just had to do what was best for me. I’m a hometown kid, and I got my degree there, but I felt like I needed a new opportunity. I took that opportunity.”
Q: What clicked for you at SMU, where you immediately scored nine rushing touchdowns?
“SMU was cool. Before going there, I had never really been to Texas besides the Sun Bowl.
But the coaches were cool, and the whole program was really family-oriented. I loved it instantly, and I feel like that helped me play better.”
Q: What were some of your favorite moments at SMU?
“The Miami game for sure. We beat them at home, and I scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime. As soon as I scored, everyone stormed the field. I had never been a part of that before.
Another was the Baylor game, where I had three touchdowns. That was a breakout game for me in Texas.”
Q: What part of your game are you focused on improving for the NFL?
“One thing I want to improve is downfield blocking. If I’m lead blocking or running on a jet sweep, I just want to make sure I’m keeping the right leverage on the defender. That’s something I’m working on.”
Q: When scouts turn on your film, what game shows your ability best?
“Probably the Baylor game, honestly.”
Q: What is something fans misunderstand about the running back position?
“Not every carry is going to be a big carry. Even if you get 25 or 30 carries a game, a lot of those are going to be short runs.
Fans might think that if you don’t hit 100 yards, you had a bad game, but defenses scheme really well. That’s just the reality of the position.”