Roy Helu

Last updated

Roy Helu Jr.
Roy helu 2014.jpg
Helu with the Washington Redskins in 2014
No. 26, 29
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1988-12-07) December 7, 1988 (age 35)
Danville, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: San Ramon Valley (Danville, California)
College: Nebraska
NFL draft: 2011  / round: 4 / pick: 105
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:272
Rushing yards:1,171
Rushing touchdowns:7
Receptions:138
Receiving yards:1,227
Receiving touchdowns:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Roy Ziegler Helu Jr. (born December 7, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Contents

Helu set the Redskins' franchise record of most receptions in single game with 14 catches in a game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. [1]

Early life

Helu played high school football at San Ramon Valley High School. [2] [3]

In his junior year at San Ramon Valley, Helu ran for 1,526 yards rushing and scored 19 touchdowns on 186 carries, and averaged 8.6 yards per carry. He also had 30 receptions for 500 yards receiving and four touchdowns, which earned him All-East Bay League honors.

During Helu's senior year, he helped San Ramon Valley to a 10–2 record in 2006. He finished his senior year with 1,085 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. He had 300 yards receiving on 20 receptions and 1 touchdown, and also recorded one interception as a free safety. He earned first-team all-league honors his senior year as a running back. [4]

College career

Helu with Nebraska in 2010 RoyHelu.jpg
Helu with Nebraska in 2010

Despite fighting injuries, Helu rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his last two years at Nebraska. [5] [6] By the time he graduated in 2011, he was 4th on the Huskers all-time rushing list, and broke Nebraska's single-game rushing record by rushing for 307 yards and scoring three touchdowns against Missouri on October 30, 2010. [7]

College statistics

YearTeamAttYardsAverageTDsReceptionsYardsAverageTDs
2007 Nebraska 452094.605408.00
2008 Nebraska 1258036.472526610.60
2009 Nebraska 2201,1475.210191497.80
2010 Nebraska 1881,2456.6115469.20
Career 5783,4045.928545019.30

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)		219 lb
(99 kg)		313⁄8101⁄44.40 s1.51 s2.52 s4.01 s6.67 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		11 reps
All values from NFL Combine [8] [9]

Washington Redskins

2011 season

Helu was selected in the fourth round with the 105th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He would later be joined by Nebraska teammates, DeJon Gomes and Niles Paul, who were drafted after him. [10] On November 6, 2011, in his first career start, Helu broke the Redskins all-time record for receptions in a game with 14 catches, in a loss against the San Francisco 49ers. [11] The following two weeks, in losses to Miami and Dallas, Helu had a combined 14 rushes and five receptions as Coach Mike Shanahan split running back duties between Helu and Ryan Torain. [12] [13] Coach Shanahan said, “I like Helu, he’s doing some great things. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him too early. He’s not ready for that. But he’s gaining experience, and I like what I see.” [14]

On November 27, 2011, Helu rushed for a Redskins rookie-record 108 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks' top-ten ranked run defense. [15] While running for a touchdown, he hurdled Seahawks cornerback, Roy Lewis. He was then named the full-time starter by Coach Shanahan, [16] and responded with two consecutive 100 yard performances. Following his 126-yard performance against the New England Patriots, Helu led all active rookies in rush yards. [17] His streak of three consecutive 100 yard games is the most by any Redskins rookie in franchise history; a record he was unable to extend to four games due to an injury he sustained. [18]

Helu at Redskins 2012 training camp Helu 2012.jpg
Helu at Redskins 2012 training camp

Helu finished with 151 carries for 640 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 49 receptions for 379 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. [19] At the end of the 2011 NFL season, Helu was Redskins' leader in rushing yards. [20] On January 16, 2012, Helu along with fellow rookie, Ryan Kerrigan, were named to the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America all-rookie team. [21]

2012 season

After the NFL changed the rule in 2012 to allow players' jerseys to include generational titles in their names, Helu adopted "Jr." to the back of his jersey. [22] He was expected to compete for the starting spot in the 2012 season against Tim Hightower and Evan Royster, [23] but ended up losing the competition to rookie Alfred Morris. His second season was cut short after being placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2012, due to lower leg injuries and turf toe. [24] [25] He finished the season with two carries for two rushing yards and 45 receiving yards on seven receptions. [26]

2013 season

Helu returned from injury and secured his place as the second string running back behind Morris during the 2013 preseason. [27] In a 45–41 Week 7 win against the Chicago Bears, he recorded his first multi-scoring game, recording three touchdowns. [28] [29] He appeared in all 16 games. He finished with 62 carries for 274 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 31 receptions for 251 receiving yards. [30]

2014 season

In 2014, Helu had almost no competition for the second-string running back job, and won it easily over fellow running backs Silas Redd, Evan Royster, Chris Thompson, and Lache Seastrunk. [31] In the 2014 season, he appeared in 14 games. He finished with 40 carries for 216 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 42 receptions for 477 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. [32]

Oakland Raiders

On March 10, 2015, Helu signed a two-year contract worth over $4 million with the Oakland Raiders. [33] [34] In the 2015 season, Helu appeared in nine games. He had 17 carries for 39 rushing yards to go along with nine receptions for 75 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. [35]

He was placed on the team's injured reserve list on July 29, 2016, ending his season, [36] and was waived from the team a few days later. [37]

Personal life

Helu (pronounced HEH-loo) was born to Roy Helu Sr. and Kilistofa (Kristi) Helu on December 7, 1988, in Danville, California. [38] His father played rugby for the United States national rugby union team. [39] [40]

He is married to retired professional volleyball player and fellow Nebraska Cornhusker alum, Dani Mancuso. [41] [42]

Helu is of Tongan descent. He is a devout Christian. [40] [43] [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Jackson</span> American football player (born 1983)

Steven Rashad Jackson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Rams, where he spent his first nine seasons. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2013 to 2014 and the New England Patriots in 2015. Named to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during his Rams tenure, Jackson is the franchise's all-time leading rusher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinton Portis</span> American football player (born 1981)

Clinton Earl Portis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. Portis was best known for being the starting running back for the Washington Redskins for seven seasons, in which he gained an average of 81.2 yards rushing per game, for which a select panel of celebrities included him as one of the 80 Greatest Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Morgan</span> American football player (born 1985)

Joshua Lewis Morgan is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech. He also played for the Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Taylor</span> American football player and coach (1941–2022)

Charles Robert Taylor was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, he was selected by Washington in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft. With Taylor, the Redskins made the playoffs five times and reached the Super Bowl once (VII), after the 1972 season. A six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMarco Murray</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

DeMarco Murray is an American football coach and former player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time first-team All-Pro, he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 after leading the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Hightower</span> American football player (born 1986)

Timothy Michael Hightower is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Richmond Spiders and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Washington Redskins, Blacktips, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers. Hightower has worked as the director of alumni relations for the Washington Commanders since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Royster</span> American football player (born 1987)

Evan Mathias Royster is an American former professional football running back. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Penn State University, where he was a three-year starter and an all-time leading rusher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Griffin III</span> American football player (born 1990)

Robert Lee Griffin III, nicknamed RGIII or RG3, is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, most notably with the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Baylor Bears, winning the Heisman Trophy as a senior, and was selected second overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Cousins</span> American football player (born 1988)

Kirk Daniel Cousins is an American professional football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. Cousins ranks fifth all-time in completion percentage with at least 1,500 pass attempts and is eighth in the NFL's all-time regular season career passer rating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Lacy</span> American football player (born 1990)

Edward Darwin Lacy 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 Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a member of three BCS National Championship teams in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 seasons. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Hankerson</span> American football player and coach (born 1989)

Leonard Hankerson Jr. is an American football coach and former player who is the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played professional as a wide receiver in the NFL. Hankerson played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred Morris (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Alfred Bruce Morris is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex Burkhead</span> American football player (born 1990)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Thompson (running back)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Chris Thompson is a former American football running back. He played college football at Florida State University and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odell Beckham Jr.</span> American football player (born 1992)

Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr., commonly known by his initials OBJ, is an American professional football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Beckham played college football for the LSU Tigers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2013. He was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Richardson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Paul Richardson Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samaje Perine</span> American football player (born 1995)

Samaje Perine is an American professional football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamison Crowder</span> American football player (born 1993)

Jamison Crowder is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and was drafted by Washington in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Crowder has also played for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Kelley (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Robert Kelley, nicknamed "Fat Rob", is a former American football running back. He played college football at Tulane and was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Gibson</span> American football player (born 1998)

Antonio Gibson is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Central Community College in Mississippi for two years prior to transferring to Memphis in 2018. As a return specialist and wide receiver with Memphis, Gibson was named American Athletic Conference (AAC) special teams player of the year in 2019 and received conference honors for both positions. He entered the 2020 NFL draft as a running back, where he was selected by the Washington Football Team in the third round and played four seasons.

References

  1. ↑ White, Joseph; Writer, AP Sports (November 6, 2011). "Gore leads 49ers past Redskins 19–11". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Roy Helu, San Ramon Valley , Running Back". 247Sports. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Roy Helu Jr., a San Ramon Valley High graduate, creates his own legend in storied Nebraska football program". East Bay Times. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Roy Helu Jr. – 2010 – Football". University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ↑ Christopherson, Brian (October 11, 2009). "No word on Helu's possible injury". JournalStar.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Roy Helu Jr. College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Nebraska Hands Missouri Its First Loss". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 31, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ↑ "NFL Combine Profile". Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  9. ↑ "NFL Draft Scout". Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  10. ↑ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  11. ↑ Svrluga, Barry (November 6, 2011). "Roy Helu breaks Redskins' record for receptions in a game". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins – November 13th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – November 20th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. ↑ Maese, Rick (November 22, 2011). "Roy Helu is finishing, but still not starting". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. ↑ Jones, Mike (November 28, 2011). "Career day for Redskins rookie RB Roy Helu". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  16. ↑ Jones, Mike (November 29, 2011). "Roy Helu will remain starting RB". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  17. ↑ Maese, Rick (December 14, 2011). "Roy Helu leads all active rookies in rushing". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ Jones, Mike (December 19, 2011). "Roy Helu played injured against Giants". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Roy Helu 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  20. ↑ "2011 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ Tandler, Rich (January 16, 2012). "Helu, Kerrigan voted to All-Rookie team". CSNWashington.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  22. ↑ Walker, Andrew (May 10, 2012). "New Jerseys Mean Old Name For Helu Jr". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  23. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (July 26, 2012). "Shanahan: Running Back Competition Open". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  24. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (September 26, 2012). "Redskins Sign Grant, Place Helu Jr. On IR". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  25. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (September 26, 2012). "Redskins sign Ryan Grant, send Roy Helu to I.R." NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Roy Helu 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  27. ↑ Maske, Mark (August 28, 2013). "Helu has secured roster spot behind Morris at tailback". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  28. ↑ Tinsman, Brian (October 21, 2013). "Redskins-Bears Monday Stats Pack". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  29. ↑ McNally, Brian (October 20, 2013). "Redskins edge Bears on Roy Helu's third TD of day". WashingtonTimes.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Roy Helu 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  31. ↑ "2014 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Roy Helu 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  33. ↑ Keim, John (March 10, 2015). "Raiders sign RB Roy Helu". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Raiders Sign RB Roy Helu, Jr". Raiders.com. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Roy Helu 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Raiders Announce Transactions". Raiders.com. July 29, 2017. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  37. ↑ Gutierrez, Paul (August 2, 2016). "Raiders formally release RB Roy Helu Jr". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Roy Helu Jr. – 2010 – Football". University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  39. ↑ Ubben, David (November 5, 2010). "Father and son: A tale of two Helus". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  40. 1 2 "For Roy Helu Jr., Football is All about Focus, Perspective and Humility". University of Nebraska. November 5, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  41. ↑ O'Connor, Michael (May 1, 2012). "Ex-Huskers found love after leap of faith". Omaha.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Dani Mancuso – 2006 – Volleyball". University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Huskers For Christ – Roy Helu". Nebraska FCA. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Vaughn and Clay All Day: Episode 32 – Roy Helu Jr. on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. March 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.