Rashard Mendenhall
| Pittsburgh Steelers | |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| College: | Illinois |
| NFL draft: | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall (born June 19, 1987) is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the University of Illinois football team. In 2007, Mendenhall was named the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player of the Big Ten Conference. Also named to Pro Football Weekly's 2007 College Football All-America Team. It was announced on January 5 2008 that Mendenhall would forgo his senior season and declared for the 2008 NFL Draft. In May of 2008, Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint.
High school
Rashard Mendenhall attended Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois. As five-star prospect (Scout.com), he was also rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Illinois by Scout.com.[1] Recorded 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. As a junior, rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 11.6 yards per carry. Averaged 9.1 yards per carry as a senior at Niles West, rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns. High school football coach was Mark Egofske. Following his high school career, Mendenhall played in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Collegiate career
Rashard Mendenhall played for University of Illinois Fighting Illini football.
2005 season
In 10 games at running back, Mendenhall rushed for 218 yards on 48 carries. Also had 13 receptions for 82 yards with 2 touchdowns.
2006 season
In 12 games at running back, Mendenhall rushed for 640 yards on 78 carries including 5 touchdowns. Also had 12 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown.
2007 season
In his best year, junior running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for a Fighting Illini record 1681 yards on 262 carries including 17 touchdowns in 13 games (including Rose Bowl). Also had 34 receptions for 318 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Career statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | G | Att | Yrds | Avg | TD | Lg | Rec | Yrds | Avg | TD | Lg |
| 2005 | 10 | 48 | 218 | 4.5 | 0 | 18 | 13 | 82 | 6.3 | 2 | 16 |
| 2006 | 12 | 78 | 640 | 8.2 | 5 | 86 | 12 | 164 | 13.7 | 1 | 76 |
| 2007 | 13 | 262 | 1681 | 6.4 | 17 | 79 | 34 | 318 | 9.4 | 2 | 55 |
| Totals | 35 | 388 | 2539 | 6.5 | 22 | 86 | 59 | 564 | 9.6 | 5 | 76 |
Professional career
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on February 24, 2008, Mendenhall ran an unofficial 4.37 forty-yard dash. His run was officially timed at 4.45 which was sixth among all running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine. Before the draft, Mendenhall had lunch with Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith.[2]
Mendenhall was drafted 23rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft.
| Pre-draft measureables | |||||||||
| Wt | 40y | 20ss | Vert | BP | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225 lb* | 4.45s* | 4.18s* | 33.5 in* | 26*[3] | |||||
(* represents NFL Combine)
Media
Rashard Mendenhall was on the cover of Sporting News High School Football Magazine.[4] Aired on April 24, 2008, he and former Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly made guest appearances on The Best Damn Sports Show Period in a segment called Best Damn Rookie Hazing.[5]
On May 5, 2008, while walking in Chicago, Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint. He was uninjured .[6]
Notes and references
- ^ "Scout.com". Scout.com (Press release). 2004-12-10. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "Top Performers". NFL.com/combine. 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
{{cite news}}:|first=missing|last=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ *Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois - 2008 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange
- ^ "http://i.tsn.com/i/p/books/HSFB_cvr2_173.jpg". Sporting News (Press release). 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|title= - ^ Rashard Mendenhall & Malcolm Kelly on Best Damn Sports Show by "GoBuLLz" on YouTube
- ^ Template:Http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3382968 ESPN
External links
- Rashard Mendenhall, University of Illinois Athletic Department website biography
- Rashard Mendenhall 2008 NFL Draft Scout News
- ESPN Player Card
- NFL Scouting Report
- Rashard Mendenhall Ultimate Highlights by "QuePasoY0" on YouTube
- Steeler Draft Pick Robbed
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