Rashard Mendenhall
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[edit] Biography
Rashard Mendenhall is a junior running back at the University of Illinois who is likely to be an early entry into the 2008 NFL Draft.
Out of high school, Mendenhall was Scout.com's #1 recruit in the state of Illinois, and was one of the few 5-star prospects per the publication. He averaged over 9 yards per carry during his senior year in high school, and was named to a dozen more industry top 100 lists. He was also an all-state track star.
Mendenhall saw limited playing time as a true freshman and as a sophomore, playing in ten games in 2005 and gaining a total of 218 yards, and then garnering 640 yards on 78 carries the next year. He was young for his year, having joined Illinois in the spring graduating early from high school.
As a junior, Mendenhall was seventh in the nation in rushing yards with 1,526, and was one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America National Player of the Week Award after the Illini upset then-#5 Wisconsin, 31-26. Mendenhall rumbled for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and caught a touchdown pass as well.
Mendenhall earned another "Helmet Sticker" award from the ESPN College GameDay crew for his performance at Indiana and was again one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America National Player of the Week Award after torching Indiana for 213 yards and a score in late September. This was one of two 200+ yard gaes, the other being a 201 yard, two touchdown performance at Minnesota in early November.
[edit] Statistics
- 2005: Rushed for 218 yards on 48 carries (4.5 ypc) and caught 13 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
- 2006: Rushed for 640 yards on 78 carries (8.2 ypc) with five touchdowns, and caught 12 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown.
- 2007: Rushed for 1,526 yards on 245 carries (6.2 ypc) with 16 touchdwons, and caught 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
[edit] Scouting Report
Mendenhall is a big play waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball. He has explosive speed in the 4.4 to 4.5 range that allows him to get outside and around the corner quickly and hit holes inside before the defense can close them up. When he first arrived at Illinois Mendenhall would often rely too heavily on his speed, but over the last three years he has worked hard to put on muscle (20 to 30 lbs.) and become a more physical runner. Rashard also does a good job protecting the ball, having never fumbled while at Illinois in his 265 career rushing attempts. Although a bit undersized at 5'11", Mendenhall's speed, shiftiness and natural play making ability will excite many NFL GMs.
[edit] Awards
- 2007 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
- 2007 First Team All-Big Ten
- 2007 Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award semifinalist
[edit] Transactions
[edit] Trivia
- Older brother, Walter, also played football at Illinois
[edit] Video Gallery
[edit] Picture Gallery
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