Kenny Irons

Last updated

Kenny Irons
KennyIrons-CottonBowl07.jpg
Irons in the 2007 Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 30
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1983-09-15) September 15, 1983 (age 40)
Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
College: Auburn
NFL draft: 2007  / Round: 2 / Pick: 49
Career history
Career highlights and awards

Kenny Irons (born September 15, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers.

Contents

He is the brother of former Atlanta Falcons cornerback David Irons. [1]

Early life

At Dacula High School in Dacula, Georgia, Irons rushed for 1985 yards and 19 touchdowns, playing alongside his brother David. His high school honors included PrepStar All-American, Sporting News Top 25, Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Top 11, Gwinnett County Back of the Year, and playing in the Georgia-Florida High School All-Star Game. Irons initially signed with the University of South Carolina to play for then-head coach Lou Holtz. He is the nephew of Gerald Irons and Leroy Jackson and he is the cousin of Grant Irons, Jarrett Irons, and Paul Irons. [2]

College career

South Carolina

Irons lettered as a true freshman at University of South Carolina after appearing in nine games with one start. For the season, he rushed for 201 yards on 47 carries. He also had four pass receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown on a 30-yard catch and run against Mississippi State. He rushed for a season high 43 yards on 12 attempts against Mississippi State.

Auburn

Irons transferred to Auburn University following the 2003 season in order to play alongside his brother again. Kenny participated in the Auburn A-Day Spring Game, but was ineligible to play the following year due to NCAA regulations. While sitting out the 2004 season, Irons was able to apprentice under future NFL players Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown.

Irons entered the 2005 season as the backup running back, but took over the starting role after Brad Lester was injured in a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks. He went on to be selected SEC Offensive Player of the Week twice. He finished the season with 1293 yards and 13 touchdowns on 256 carries. His 2005 rushing total was the 6th best in Auburn history, placing Irons behind greats like Bo Jackson, Cadillac Williams, and future Cincinnati Bengal teammate, Rudi Johnson. At season's end, Irons was a unanimous selection for both the Coaches' All-SEC First-team and the Associated Press All-SEC First-team.

Irons broke his index finger early in the 2006 season. He finished the season rushing for 198 times for a total of 941 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Career statistics

2005 season statistics
OpponentAttemptsYardsTDs
Ga. Tech160
Miss. St.13280
Ball St.111472
W. Kentucky181111
S. Carolina11272
Arkansas331820
LSU272181
Ole Miss.321011
Kentucky231033
Georgia371792
Alabama281031
Wisconsin22880
Total256129313
2006 season statistics
OpponentAttemptsYardsTDs
Washington St.201831
Miss. St.21690
LSU25700
BuffaloDid Not Play
S. Carolina271172
Arkansas15750
Florida13670
TulaneDid Not Play
Ole Miss231060
Arkansas St.100
Georgia10490
Alabama19851
Nebraska24720
Total1989414

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following the completion of his senior football season, Irons recovered from his injuries and began to work out and prepare for the 2007 NFL draft. He and his brother signed with the same agent and worked out together. They traveled together to the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and their individual pro days. At the combine, Irons posted a 4.45 second 40-yard dash time and a 38-inch vertical leap.

Cincinnati Bengals

Irons was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (49th overall) of the 2007 NFL draft. [3]

During the second quarter of the Bengals first preseason game against the Detroit Lions on August 9, Irons tore his ACL on his fourth carry of the game, ending his rookie season. Irons was expected to recover fully and be ready for spring workouts. [4] After the conclusion of the 2007 regular season, Irons said he expected to be ready for training camp in July 2008. [5] However, on July 25, Irons was waived/injured by the Bengals and subsequently placed the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list. He was waived from the PUP list on August 4.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudi Johnson</span> American football player (born 1979)

Burudi Ali Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadillac Williams</span> American football player and coach (born 1982)

Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams is an American football coach and former running back who is the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the running backs coach at Auburn University from 2019 to 2023, he also served as their interim head coach in 2022, the first African American to hold the position in Auburn history.

Odell Lamar Thurman is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia.

Andre Jerome "Bubba" Caldwell is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League (NFL). Caldwell played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was a member of a BCS National Championship team. A third-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. With the Broncos, he won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quincy Wilson (running back)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Quincy Wilson is a former American football running back and coach. He was previously the assistant director of football operations for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia.

Keiwan Jevar Ratliff is an American former football cornerback who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

Skyler Levon Green is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints. He also was a member of the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, earning All-American honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Auburn Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2006 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville served his eighth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among current SEC head coaches that year. Offensive coordinator Al Borges returned for his third season to direct the offense and was joined by first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp who came from the Miami Dolphins. Auburn played its eight-game home schedule within the friendly confines of Jordan–Hare Stadium, the ninth largest on-campus stadium in the NCAA seating 87,451. The Tigers finished the season with an impressive 11–2 record, finishing second in the SEC Western Division behind the surprising Arkansas Razorbacks. With signature wins over the eventual BCS champion Florida Gators and the final-ranked #3 LSU Tigers, Auburn was the only team that could claim victories over two BCS and top five teams. However, the team also had signature losses to the unranked Arkansas Razorbacks and Georgia Bulldogs. They finished the season ranked #8 in the Coaches Poll and #9 in the AP Poll.

David Irons Jr. is a former American football cornerback. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Robinson</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Zachary Ross Robinson is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played quarterback at Oklahoma State and was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Cincinnati Bengals before retiring in 2013. Robinson became a coach in 2019, serving as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams.

Thomas Brown is an American football coach and former running back who is the passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2023.

Mike Hartline is an American football coach and former quarterback who is currently the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Charlotte 49ers football team. He spent the 2022 season at Auburn. He was previously the offensive coordinator at Ohio Dominican University. He has also spent time on the coaching staffs at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was signed by the New England Patriots in January 2012, but released in May 2012. He played college football at the University of Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Hilliard</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kenny Hilliard is a former American football running back. He played college football at Louisiana State University for the LSU Tigers football team. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.

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

James Tyler Wilson is a former American football quarterback. Wilson is the all time passing yards leader at the University of Arkansas. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas. Wilson was also a member of the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. McCarron</span> American football player (born 1990)

Raymond Anthony "A. J." McCarron Jr. is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first quarterback to win consecutive BCS National Championship Games with victories in 2012 and 2013. He also received the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Kellen Moore Awards.

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

Jeremy Hill is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tre Mason</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Trence Mason is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2013. He was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.

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

Samaje Perine is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos 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">Trayveon Williams</span> American football player (born 1997)

Trayveon Thomas Williams is an American football running back and return specialist for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). During his junior season at Texas A&M, Williams received first team all-SEC and second-team All-American honors; he also broke the school records for single-season all-purpose yards and rushing yards.

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

Jake Funk is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland. In Maryland's four games during the 2020 season, which was shortened due to COVID-19, Funk averaged 129 rushing yards per game. He also led the Big Ten Conference and ranked second among all Football Bowl Subdivision running backs with an average of 8.6 rushing yards per carry. Funk was drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Irons brothers take long road to collegiate success
  2. ↑ Schlabach, Mark (2006-08-25). "Irons brothers take long road to collegiate success". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  3. ↑ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. ↑ "Bengals RB Kenny Irons out for the season with torn ACL". USA Today. 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  5. ↑ "Fantasy Football Breaking News - Rotoworld.com". Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
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.