Xazavian Valladay

Last updated

Xazavian Valladay
No. 35 – New York Jets
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1999-07-03) July 3, 1999 (age 24)
Matteson, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Brother Rice (Chicago, Illinois)
College: Wyoming (2018–2021)
Arizona State (2022)
Undrafted: 2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Xazavian Valladay (born July 3, 1998) is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State and Wyoming.

Contents

Early life

Valladay's hometown is Matteson, Illinois and he attended Brother Rice High School. In his high school career, Valladay helped his high school to 9–3 record and to the 2016 Illinois Class 8A State Playoffs as the number eight seed. [1] Valladay would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Wyoming. [2] [3]

College career

Wyoming

In Wyoming's 2018 season finale, Valladay had a breakout game as he rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, as he helped the Cowboys beat New Mexico to become bowl eligible. [4] Valladay finished the 2018 season with 396 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries, while also hauling in four passes for 35 yards. [5] In the 2019 Arizona Bowl, Valladay had a monster game rushing for 204 yards and a touchdown, while also bringing in three passes for 91 yards and a score, as he helped Wyoming beat Georgia State to win their bowl game. For his performance on the game he was named the Offensive MVP for the game. [6] [7] Valladay finished his breakout 2019 season with 1,265 yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries, while also notching 11 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns. [8] For his performance on the season he was named to the 2019 First Team All Mountain-West football team. [9] In week two of the 2020 season, Valladay had an amazing performance rushing for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching two passes for 32 yards, as he helped the Cowboys beat Hawaii 31–7. [10] Valladay finished the shortened 2020 season with 550 yards and four touchdowns on 99 carries, while also hauling in 13 receptions for 105 yards. [11] For his performance on the year, Valladay was named First Team All Mountain West for the second straight season. [12] In week nine of the 2021 season, Valladay had another great performance rushing for 172 yards, but Wyoming would fall to San Jose State 27–21. [13] Valladay finished the 2021 season with 1,063 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries, while also racking up 23 receptions for 233 yards. [14] For his performance on the season, Valladay would be named Second Team All Mountain West. [15] After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Valladay announced that he had decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and continue out his career elsewhere. [16] [17]

Arizona State

Valladay would decide to transfer to Arizona State to play out his final season of eligibility. [18] [19] Valladay had a stellar debut with Arizona State in week one of the 2022 season, as he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, as helped the Sun Devils beat Northern Arizona. [20] In week nine, Valladay had another great performance rushing for 118 yards and three touchdowns, as he helped Arizona State take down Colorado. [21] Valladay finished the season with 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries, while also bringing in 37 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns. [22] For his performance on the season, Valladay was named second team all Pac-12. [23]

Valladay finished his college career with 4,466 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 841 carries, while also notching 88 receptions for 873 yards and four touchdowns. [24]

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
5 ft 11+14 in
(1.81 m)
204 lb
(93 kg)
30+34 in
(0.78 m)
8+12 in
(0.22 m)
4.46 s1.56 s2.59 s4.32 s7.00 s40.0 in
(1.02 m)
10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)
22 reps
All values from Pro Day [25]

Houston Texans

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Valladay signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. [26] On August 13, 2023, Valladay was released by the Texans. [27]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 15, Valladay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. [28] On August 29, Valladay was released by the Steelers during final rosters cuts. [29]

New York Jets

On August 30, Valladay signed to the New York Jets practice squad. [30] He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024. [31]

Related Research Articles

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

Felix Jones Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, earning consensus All-American honors in 2007. He was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

<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 when he led the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyoming Cowboys football</span> Football team for the University of Wyoming

The Wyoming Cowboys football program represents the University of Wyoming in college football. They compete in the Mountain West Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I and have won 14 conference titles. The head coach is Jay Sawvel who is entering his first season as head coach in 2024 after previously serving as the Wyoming Defense Coordinator for the previous four seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Vereen</span> American football player (born 1989)

Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

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

Malcolm Brown is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas where he was 2nd Team all-Big 12 twice and was the 2011 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and has also played for Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Ellington</span> American football player (born 1989)

Andre DeAngelo Ellington is a former American football running back. He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

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

Devonta Cornellius Freeman is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

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

Tevin Ford Coleman is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2014. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royce Freeman</span> American football player (born 1996)

Royce Deion Freeman is an American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning third-team All-American honors in 2015.

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

Ezekiel Elijah Elliott, nicknamed "Zeke", is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning second-team All-American honors in 2015. Elliott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys fourth overall in the 2016 NFL draft. In seven seasons with the Cowboys, he was a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection, and led the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018.

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

Dalvin James Cook is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning unanimous All-American honors and finishing his career as the school's all-time leading rusher. Cook was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, and in six seasons with the team, he earned Pro Bowl honors four times. He is the elder brother of Buffalo Bills running back James Cook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Clement</span> American football player (born 1994)

Corey Joel Clement is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He won Super Bowl LII with the team his rookie season, catching a touchdown in the game and helping execute the Philly Special.

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

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Gallman</span> American football player (born 1994)

Wayne Gallman Jr. is an American football running back for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and contributed to win the CFP national championship (2017) before being selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenyan Drake</span> American football player (born 1994)

Kenyan Drake is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Drake was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Jones (running back)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Aaron LaRae Jones is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTEP Miners and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. In seven seasons with the Packers, Jones led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2019, made the Pro Bowl in 2020, and ranks third in the team's all-time rushing yards list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah McGuire</span> American football player (born 1994)

Elijah Lamont McGuire Jr. is a former American football running back. He played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Pollard</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tony Randall Pollard is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis, and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Elijah I. Mitchell is an American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deuce Vaughn</span> American football player (born 2001)

Christopher "Deuce" Vaughn II is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

References

  1. "Xazavian Valladay". Arizona State University Athletics. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  2. Tim, Edgy (October 12, 2016). "Brother Rice RB Xazavian Valladay pledges to Wyoming". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  3. Narang, Bobby (October 17, 2016). "Recruiting notes: X marks spot in Wyoming for Brother Rice's Xazavian Valladay". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  4. Rosales, Glen (November 24, 2018). "Wyoming football runs over New Mexico to become bowl eligible". Denver Post. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  5. "Xazavian Valladay 2018 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  6. Lev, Michael (January 1, 2020). "Arizona Bowl: Wyoming's 1–2 punch overwhelms Georgia State in 38–17 Cowboys triumph". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  7. "Wyoming rolls over Georgia State in Arizona Bowl". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. December 31, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  8. "Xazavian Valladay 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  9. Kenerly, Matthew (December 4, 2019). "Mountain West Football Media Announces 2019 Postseason All-Conference Team". Mountain West Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  10. "Valladay, Smith each rush for 2 TDs, Wyoming eases by Hawaii". CBS Sports. Associated Press. October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  11. "Xazavian Valladay 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  12. "Valladay, Cryder, Muma named to MW Preseason All- Conference Team". WyoToday.com. July 22, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  13. Thorburn, Ryan (October 30, 2021). "Wyoming Cowboys running game a bright spot in 27–21 loss to San Jose State". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  14. "Xazavian Valladay 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  15. Nguyen, Joe. "2021 Mountain West all-conference football teams: CSU Rams, Air Force land two apiece on first team". Denver Post. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  16. Thornburn, Ryan. "Wyoming Cowboys running back Xazavian Valladay enters NCAA transfer portal". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  17. "Valladay joins list of UW starters to enter transfer portal". Wyoming News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  18. Druin, Donnie. "Wyoming RB Xazavian Valladay Transfers to Arizona State". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  19. Ortiz, Jenna. "ASU football to rely on transfer Valladay and Ngata at running back". AZ Central. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  20. Marshall, John. "Emory Jones sharp as Arizona State beats Northern Arizona". Oregon Live. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  21. Meyer, Craig. "Arizona State racks up 557 yards, beats Colorado 42–34". AP News. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  22. "Xavian Valladay 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  23. Cluff, Jeremy. "ASU football's Xazavian Valladay snubbed for Pac-12 first-team award". AZ Central. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  24. "Xavian Valladay". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  25. "2023 NFL Draft Scout Xazavian Valladay College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  26. Karpman, Chris. "RB Xazavian Valladay signs UDFA deal with Texans". 247Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  27. "Xazavian Valladay: Gets cut loose". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  28. Peterson, Derek. "Former Arizona State tailback Xazavian Valladay signs with new NFL team". Saturday Out West. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  29. Mau, Brendan. "Steelers cut former ASU RB Xazavian Valladay". Burn City Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  30. "Xazavian Valladay: Jumps to Jets' practice squad". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  31. Greenberg, Ethan (January 6, 2023). "Jets Sign 4, Place 3 on Injured Reserve Ahead of Season Finale vs. Patriots". NewYorkJets.com.