Harvey was a 1988 graduate of Deshler High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track for the Tigers. He was All-Area in football and basketball during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He ran the anchor leg on the 4x400 State Champion Relay Team and finished second in the state in the long jump He was chosen Honorable Mention on the 4A State Football Team. Harvey continued his football career after high school playing for Coach Bobby Wallace and the University of North Alabama Lions. A four year starter he was a two time All-American, was selected first team All-Gulf South Conference in 1990, 1991 and 1992 which made him only the second UNA football player at the time to ever be a three time first team All-GSC pick. During his four years playing in the Lions secondary he made 312 tackles, with 171 solo stops, 12 interceptions and 22 pass breakups. Harvey was named to the Gulf South Conference "Team of the Quarter Century" from 1971-1995 and was selected to the 50th Anniversary UNA Football Team from 1949-1998. He was named to the GSC Team of the 1990's and was UNA's Male Athlete of the year in 1992-1993. Harvey was inducted into the University of North Alabama  Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013