In the 2012 season, Ervin had 205 rushing and 599 return yards.[1] On September 28, in a 38–34 win over San Diego State, Ervin had a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown.[4] Ervin also caught a 36-yard touchdown reception and returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown on October 20 at UTSA.[5] To cap off an 11–2 season with a year-end #24 ranking in the AP Poll, Ervin had 49 receiving yards and 38 return yards in the Spartans' win over Bowling Green in the 2012 Military Bowl.[6]
Ervin took a medical redshirt year in 2013 after suffering an injury during the season opener against Sacramento State on August 29.[1]
As a redshirt junior in 2014, he had 888 rushing yards, 506 kickoff return yards, and 81 punt return yards.[1] On August 28, Ervin got his first punt return touchdown, a 40-yarder against North Dakota.[1] On September 6, Ervin had a 75-yard touchdown reception against Auburn, tied for the longest passing play against Auburn that year.[1] Ervin also had an 89-yard rushing touchdown in the Spartans' homecoming game win over UNLV on October 4.[1]Sports Illustrated named Ervin to its honorable mention All-America team .[1]
In his redshirt senior season of 2015, Ervin rushed for a single-game school record 300 yards against Fresno State and for 263 yards against New Mexico.[7][8] In the 2015 Cure Bowl, his final collegiate game, Ervin got his longest career punt return touchdown, for 85 yards in the Spartans' 27–16 win over Georgia State.[9] He finished his senior year with 1,601 rushing yards on 294 carries with 13 touchdowns and 45 receptions for 334 yards with two touchdowns.[1] Along with first-team All-Mountain West Conference, Ervin earned multiple national honors, the Athlon Sports All-American second team and his second straight Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American title.[1]
Ervin was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.[12] On May 5, 2016, Ervin signed a four-year, $2.9 million contract with Houston.[13] Ervin has been compared to established all-purpose players in the NFL like Jamaal Charles and Darren Sproles.[14] He finished his rookie season with three receptions for 18 receiving yards to go along with return duties.[15]
On October 4, 2017, Ervin was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn patellar tendon in Week 4.[16] He finished the 2017 season with eight receptions for 38 receiving yards to go along with four carries for 12 rushing yards.[17]
On November 7, 2018, Ervin was waived by the Texans.[18]
Baltimore Ravens
On November 14, 2018, Ervin was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.[19] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on January 8, 2019.[20] He was waived on August 31, 2019.[21]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On September 1, 2019, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[22] He was waived on November 30, 2019.[23]
Green Bay Packers
On December 2, 2019, Ervin was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers.[24] He was re-signed on March 30, 2020.[25] He was placed on injured reserve on December 9, 2020.[26]