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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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Collegiate career
Rashard Mendenhall played for the Fighting Illini football team, of the University of Illinois. His first season was in 2005, during which he rushed for 218 yard on 48 carries. Throughout the ten games he also gained 82 yards and scored two touchdowns. In 2006, Mendenhall nearly tripled his rushing total, gaining 640 yards and scoring five touchdowns. He added 164 yards and a touchdown, with 12 receptions. Throughout his final season with the Illini, Mendenhall rushed for a school record 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns. Throughout the 13 game season, he also had 318 yards and two touchdowns on 34 receptions.
[edit] College 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 |
[edit] 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. His power running will complement the speed and agility of Pro-Bowl running back Willie Parker. Prior to his rookie season Mendenhall was ranked as the 30th best running back in the league, by ESPN.[3]
| Pre-draft measureables |
| Wt |
40y |
20ss |
Vert |
BP |
| 225 lb* |
4.45s* |
4.18s* |
33.5 in* |
26*[4] |
(* represents NFL Combine)
Rashard Mendenhall was on the cover of Sporting News High School Football Magazine.[5] 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.[6]
On May 5, 2008, while walking in Chicago, Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint. He was not injured.[7]
[edit] Notes and references
[edit] External links
