Johns Hopkins quarterback Bay Harvey and running back Geoff Schroeder have found a lot to shout about in their 2025 season with the Blue Jays. Photo by Mike Atheron, d3photography.com

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

Bay Harvey is a picture-perfect example of what being a Division III athlete is really all about.

He’s the standout quarterback of the Johns Hopkins football team, a grad student who already has his degree and is working toward a master’s in finance. The Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist is also working full-time as an associate origination analyst at Constellation Energy in Baltimore.

His coach, Dan Wodicka, is amazed at how he finds the time to balance it all, especially with the Blue Jays in the midst of a playoff run.

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“I don’t know how he finds the time to get everything done at such a level that he does,” Wodicka said. “A lot is expected from him from a football standpoint and he is the epitome of a D-III athlete.

"He shows that you can have an unbelievably successful football experience, and most importantly, you can do well academically and set yourself up with a job that will set you up for the rest of your life," Wodicka added.

Harvey finds the time because time is what he lost a lot of last season when he was injured in week three against Salisbury. He missed out on the Blue Jays’ run to the national semifinals.

Harvey, the newly minted D3football.com Region 2 Offensive Player of the Year, admits he wasn’t sure if he was going to come back for a fifth year. But he always knew it was an option.

“I hoped I might come back at some point last season, but (coming back) this year was always in the back of my mind,” Harvey said. “As the season rolled on, and we went to the playoffs, I knew I wanted to and knew I could with working and pursuing my master’s.”

It’s a lot on his plate, but he doesn’t mind.

“It’s certainly a challenge, and I want to give my all to each part of it,” Harvey said. “What helps is each thing is a break from the other. I don’t have much free time and I haven’t been able to watch any Stranger Things lately.”

Harvey’s balancing act has certainly impressed his offensive coordinator, Alex Horvatits.

“The things you don’t think he has time for, he does,” Horvatits said. “He knows everyone on the team, from the first guy on the depth chart to the last, and that is really a testament to his maturity and the kind of teammate he is.”

Harvey entered this season as one of just three quarterbacks in the country at any level to throw for more than 35 touchdowns and rush for 10-plus scores in a season.

He’s only the sixth player in school history to throw 50 or more touchdown passes, currently sitting at 77 scoring strikes and counting.

He credits his teammates for their part in his success.

“We have a really good football team. Our O-line is tremendous and we have skill guys who make plays and make my job easy,” Harvey said.

Junior wide receiver Cole Crotty, who has 76 catches for 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns, is thankful to have Harvey as a quarterback.

“He’s a really good player and he makes my job easy. He puts the ball right on the money almost every throw,” Crotty said. “He’s a great player and leader. He’s everything you want in a quarterback to lead the team.”

Harvey has thrown for 2,914 yards and 29 scores this year while rushing for more than 500 yards (584) and 10 touchdowns, helping to lead eighth-ranked Johns Hopkins (11-1) into a national quarterfinal matchup with No. 12 Susquehanna (11-2) this Saturday. The two teams played in late September and the Blue Jays prevailed 40-22.

The chance to play football in December means a lot to Harvey, who didn’t get to experience this last year from an on-the-field standpoint.

“It’s been special,” Harvey said. “It’s the main reason I wanted to come back. I wanted a chance to go far in the playoffs with this group. It’s been fun having the success we’ve had and we are having a lot of fun doing it.”

Wodicka is glad to see Harvey enjoying the journey and can’t say enough about the leadership he provides.

“I am excited for him. I am so happy and proud of him and how he has battled back emotionally and physically from the injury to have the season he has been able to have,” Wodicka said.

“Everyone knows he’s a heck of a football player and can do a lot of things on the field," Wodicka continued. "But the most important thing is having his leadership. He’s a really mature player and that leadership has been an X factor.”

Harvey displayed a lot of that leadership last year as well when he served as sort of a student coach for James Rinello, who filled in at quarterback after Harvey’s injury.

“He was doing a lot of coaching stuff,” Horvatits said. “I’m in the box and he was the first one with our quarterback on the sideline going through the iPad and talking through the looks they were seeing. Being in that position, and with the experience he has, he sees everything so well on the field. He isn’t surprised by much and puts our offense in the best situation possible.”

The interesting thing about Harvey is that he grew up in Switzerland and played only one year of high school football in America.

“I grew up a Patriots fan and wanted a chance to play football (in America),” Harvey said. “It brought me to Cleveland Heights (Ohio). My dad grew up playing with their head coach. And that opportunity helped me get recruited to Johns Hopkins.”

He fit right in with playing quarterback.

“I was kind of thrust into it because I could throw pretty well,” Harvey said. “I enjoy the X's and O's part of it and you get to touch the ball on every play. You are in control.”

It turned out to be a great decision for Harvey, who has thrown for close to 7,500 yards (7,432) in his career and loves the challenges he gets to prepare for each week.

“We have a very competitive schedule, and I love getting ready to meet those challenges with my teammates,” Harvey said. “And the team culture has been great.

“I don’t get as many chances to be around the team because of my schedule but I have done my best to build camaraderie in the moments I am around. It’s a fun team to be around,” Harvey added.

Wodicka said Harvey does a great job of keeping things in perspective.

“He keeps things even keel. He doesn’t get too low if things don’t go well and doesn’t get too high if things are going well,” Wodicka said. “He’s pretty in sync with the offense and everything the defense is giving him and his confidence really sticks out.”

Harvey is looking forward to the next challenge in front of him and hopes to keep this season moving forward.

“I’m taking it day by day, week by week. I’m going out there preparing to be the best I can be every week. It’s a blessing to still be playing," Harvey said.