Xazavian Valladay Explained

Xazavian Valladay
Current Team:New York Jets
Number:35
Position:Running back
Birth Date:July 3, 1999
Birth Place:Matteson, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:198
High School:Brother Rice (Chicago, Illinois)
College:Wyoming (2018–2021)
Arizona State (2022)
Undraftedyear:2023
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • 2× First-team All-MW (2019, 2020)
  • Second-team All-MW (2021)
  • Second-team All-Pac-12 (2022)
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Pfr:VallXa00

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

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

Houston Texans

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Valladay signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.[25] On August 13, 2023, Valladay was released by the Texans.[26]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 15, Valladay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[27] On August 29, Valladay was released by the Steelers during final rosters cuts.[28]

New York Jets

On August 30, Valladay signed to the New York Jets practice squad.[29] He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024.[30]

External links

Notes and References

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

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