![]() Ivory with the New York Jets in 2015 | |||||||||||||
No. 29, 33 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Longview, Texas, U.S. | March 22, 1988||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 223 lb (101 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Longview (Longview, Texas) | ||||||||||||
College: |
| ||||||||||||
Undrafted: | 2010 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Christopher Lee Ivory [1] (born March 22, 1988) is an American former football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and Tiffin Dragons.
He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2010, playing his first three professional seasons with the Saints primarily as a backup. In 2013, he was traded to the New York Jets, where he saw an expanded role, eventually becoming the team's primary running back by 2014 and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2015. He then spent the next three seasons as a backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016–2017) and Buffalo Bills (2018).
Ivory earned letters in both football and track and field in high school at Longview High School in Longview, Texas, playing on the Lobos team that included future NFL players Trent Williams, Malcolm Kelly, and Robert Henson. [2] [3] He was listed as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com . [4] [5]
Ivory played three years for Washington State from 2006 to 2008. [6] Limited by injuries, in 22 games he had 91 rushes for 534 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 23 kickoff returns averaging 22.8 yards. [7] When the coaches who had recruited him were replaced by a new coaching staff, Ivory found himself far down on the Cougars' depth chart. [8] In August 2009, he was dismissed from the Washington State team for violating team rules. [9]
Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||||
2006 | Washington State | Pac-10 | FR | RB | 9 | 3 | 85 | 28.3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
2007 | Washington State | Pac-10 | SO | RB | 8 | 60 | 313 | 5.2 | 2 | 13 | 50 | 3.8 | 0 |
2008 | Washington State | Pac-10 | JR | RB | 5 | 28 | 136 | 4.9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Career | Washington State | 22 | 91 | 534 | 5.9 | 4 | 15 | 51 | 3.4 | 0 |
Ivory then transferred to Tiffin University, a Division II school in Tiffin, Ohio, whose team was coached by Dave Walkosky, a former Washington State assistant coach. In Ivory's final year of college football, he had 39 rushes for 223 yards in five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Walkosky attempted to obtain a medical redshirt exemption to allow Ivory to play another year, but this was unsuccessful. Despite his brief stint at Tiffin University, Ivory's performance and speed attracted attention from NFL scouts, and he was thought to have a chance of becoming the first Tiffin University player to be drafted by the NFL. [10] The Saints became interested in Ivory, despite his injuries, after one of their scouts was impressed by Walkosky's enthusiastic recommendations. [8]
Ivory became eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft after his season, but he did not receive an invitation to perform at the NFL Combine. On March 16, 2010, Ivory attended Toledo's Pro Day and completed all of the combine and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ivory was projected to go undrafted by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the 32nd best running back prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.
Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (1.82 m) | 222 lb (101 kg) | 4.48 s | 1.54 s | 2.60 s | 4.60 s | 7.20 s | 36 in (0.91 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | ||||
All values from Toledo's Pro Day [11] |
On April 27, 2010, the New Orleans Saints signed Ivory as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, $1.22 million contract. [12] [13] He had an impressive performance in training camp and preseason games, highlighted by a strong performance against the San Diego Chargers that included a 76-yard touchdown on a swing pass. [14] [15]
Early season injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas left Ivory as the Saints' starting running back. He had a breakout game in Week 6 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers: his 158 yards on 15 carries were the most by any Saints running back since Deuce McAllister rushed for 165 yards in a 2003 game, and the most by a Saints rookie since a 179-yard effort by Ricky Williams in 1999. [16] [17] The performance earned him awards as both Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week and FedEx Ground Player of the Week.[ citation needed ] Another strong performance in Week 11, with 23 rushes for 99 yards in a 34–19 win over against the Seattle Seahawks, led Seahawks coach Pete Carroll to call Ivory "a freaking stud out there." [18] Ivory ended the regular season with 137 rushes for 716 yards, which led the team, and five touchdowns, but he also suffered repeated injuries during the year; after a foot injury in the Saints' last regular season game, he was placed on the injured reserve list and was unable to play in the postseason. [19] [20] [21] He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. [22]
Ivory spent the first six games of the 2011 season on the PUP list; after he was activated, he played in six games, with 79 rushes for 374 yards, and 22 carries for 70 yards in the Saints' two playoff games against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round and the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. [23] [24] [25] In May 2012, the Saints paid Ivory an additional signing bonus to make up for the income he lost on the PUP list. He became a restricted free agent after the 2012 season. [26] He appeared in six games in the 2012 season and recorded 40 carries for 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. [27]
Ivory was traded to the New York Jets on April 26, 2013, during the 2013 NFL draft for the Jets' fourth round draft pick (106th overall). [28] He signed a three-year contract worth $10 million. [29] He made his Jets debut in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [30] On October 20, against the New England Patriots, he had 34 carries for 104 yards. [31] On October 3, he had 139 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. [32] Overall, in the 2013 season, he had 833 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and ten receiving yards. [33]
On September 7, 2014, he had a 71-yard touchdown run as part of a 102-yard performance against the Oakland Raiders in the season opener. [34] It was the second longest touchdown run in Jets history; Bruce Harper ran for 78 yards in 1983. On October 16, against the New England Patriots, he had 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. [35] Ten days later, he had his lone two-touchdown performance of the season against the Buffalo Bills. [36] Overall, he finished the 2014 season with 821 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and 18 receptions for 123 yards and a receiving touchdown. [37]
In the 2015 season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Ivory had 91 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 31–10 victory. [38] On October 4, 2015, during an NFL International Series matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium, Ivory rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown, setting a career-high in rushing yards. [39] He followed that up with 146 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the Washington Redskins. [40] Ivory won the AFC rushing title in the 2015 season beating Latavius Murray by four yards, finishing the year with 1,070 rushing yards and his first Pro Bowl selection. [41] He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016. [42]
Ivory signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 10, 2016. [43]
On October 16, 2016, Ivory had 11 carries for 32-yards and scored his first rushing touchdown with the team as the Jaguars defeated the Chicago Bears by a score of 17–16. [44] On November 6, he had 107 rushing yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. [45] Overall, he finished the 2016 season with 439 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions, and 186 receiving yards. [46]
Ivory entered the 2017 season second on the depth chart behind rookie Leonard Fournette. [47] He played in 14 games with three starts, rushing for 382 yards and one touchdown. [48]
On February 23, 2018, Ivory was released by the Jaguars. [49]
On March 6, 2018, Ivory signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills for $5.5 million, with $3.25 million guaranteed. [50] In Week 3, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 126 scrimmage yards in the 27–6 victory. [51] He rushed for 385 yards and one touchdown along with 13 receptions for 205 yards in 2018. [52]
On March 27, 2019, Ivory was released by the Bills. [53]
Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
2010 | NO | 12 | 4 | 137 | 716 | 5.2 | 55T | 5 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
2011 | NO | 6 | 2 | 79 | 374 | 4.7 | 35T | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | NO | 6 | 2 | 40 | 217 | 5.4 | 56T | 2 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | NYJ | 15 | 6 | 182 | 833 | 4.6 | 69 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2014 | NYJ | 16 | 10 | 198 | 821 | 4.1 | 71T | 6 | 18 | 123 | 6.8 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
2015 | NYJ | 15 | 14 | 247 | 1,070 | 4.3 | 58 | 7 | 30 | 217 | 7.2 | 36 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
2016 | JAX | 11 | 1 | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 42 | 3 | 20 | 186 | 9.3 | 37 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
2017 | JAX | 14 | 3 | 112 | 382 | 3.4 | 34 | 1 | 21 | 175 | 8.3 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
2018 | BUF | 13 | 1 | 115 | 385 | 3.3 | 21 | 1 | 13 | 205 | 15.8 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 108 | 43 | 1,227 | 5,237 | 4.3 | 71 | 29 | 107 | 948 | 8.9 | 55 | 3 | 20 | 10 |
Darren Lee Sproles is an American professional football executive and former running back. He is now a personnel consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, earning first-team All-American honors and becoming the school's all-time leading rusher. Sproles was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Eagles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Charles Pierre Thomas Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Thomas developed into an all-around threat as a runner, pass catcher, blocker, and special teams player. He led the Saints in rushing yards in 2008 and 2009 and again in 2013, when he also led all NFL running backs in receiving yards. He became known for his excellence in executing the screen pass; it was a screen pass on which he scored the Saints' first touchdown in their 31–17 win in Super Bowl XLIV, two weeks after he had scored two touchdowns in the Saints' 2009 NFC Championship game victory.
Christopher Duan Johnson is an American former professional football running back. Born in Orlando, Florida, he emerged as a senior for East Carolina University, breaking out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. Johnson was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, after running a then-record breaking 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
William Michael Tolbert is an American former professional football fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Tolbert was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, where he was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2017 after being released by the Panthers.
Jacquizz "Quizz" Rodgers is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Mark Valentino Ingram II is an American former football running back and current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009 en route to winning the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.
Bilal Matan Powell is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals. Drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft, Powell played his entire professional career with the Jets from 2011 to 2019 and ranks among the top running backs in Jets history.
Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr. is an American former football quarterback who played for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
Rex Burkhead is a former American football running back. He played college football at Nebraska and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. After four seasons with the Bengals, Burkhead spent his next four seasons with the New England Patriots, where he appeared in consecutive Super Bowls and won Super Bowl LIII. Burkhead joined the Houston Texans in 2021, spending two seasons with them before retiring in 2024.
Travaris Terrell Cadet is a former American football running back. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at Appalachian State. He also played for the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers.
Timothy Antonio "T. J." Yeldon Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Randy "Duke" Johnson Jr. is an American former professional football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of Miami. He played in the NFL for the Browns, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills.
Christopher James Hogan is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Monmouth Hawks following three years of college lacrosse with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Hogan was a member of five NFL teams, most notably the New England Patriots.
Latavius Rashard Murray is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCF Knights and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft, with whom he would earn Pro Bowl honors in 2015. He was also a member of the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills.
Thomas Grant Bohanon is a former American football fullback and special teamer. He played college football at Wake Forest and was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.
Leonard Joseph Fournette III is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Carlos Dawon Hyde is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Marcus Murphy is a former American football running back and return specialist. He played college football at Missouri. While at Missouri, he was named as a First-team All-SEC selection in 2014. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Travis Etienne Jr. is an American professional football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Jaguars in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
James Robinson is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and was traded to the New York Jets in 2022. In 2020, Robinson broke the National Football League (NFL) record for most scrimmage yards of any undrafted rookie.