In his second stint with the Tennessee Titans organization, running back Jeremy McNichols has carved out a role as Derrick Henry’s backup.
The latter, of course, led the National Football League in rushing the past two seasons, but McNichols has become a valuable asset on third downs and in the passing game.
In Week 4 against the New York Jets, the 25-year-old hauled in a career-best eight catches for 74 yards and picked up two critical first downs via screen passes.
The Long Beach, California native was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft but was released in September of that year.
Since then he has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars, but his best fit has come as a member of the Titans.
“I think the role that I do play on third downs, getting to mix in there on first and second down, and playing special teams — I think that’s a great role,” McNichols told Buck Reising on 104.5 The Zone on Thursday. “It’s a great role. I’m just trying to continue to help us win and continue to do the best I can, whatever the coaches ask, whatever the staff asks me, and whatever we need on this team.”
In 16 games with the Titans during the 2020 season, McNichols racked up 204 rushing yards on 47 attempts, while hauling in 12 receptions for 55 yards. His versatility has brought a much-needed element to the Titans’ offense while Henry takes a breather on the sideline.
Going way back, though, McNichols credits rapper Snoop Dogg for giving him the opportunity to play football.
Snoop Dogg started a Pop Warner League in 2005 with the objective to “provide youth, regardless of race, color, creed, or economic background, the chance to learn the values of character, integrity, discipline, and teamwork through football” for kids in the greater Los Angeles area.
McNichols played alongside future NFL players in the youth football league, including wide receiver John Ross, eventually paving the way to continue playing in high school and at the collegiate level.
“Yeah, I grew up in Long Beach, California and Snoop [Dogg] always had a Pop Warner League when I was growing up,” McNichols said. “I still have friends and coaches that I still talk to that are going to be lifelong friends…He was able to get a lot of those kids out of South Central LA, Long Beach and out of those situations and help them get to college that they may have never dreamed about. I think that really helped change my life and changed my career.”
While he played a couple of positions in high school, McNichols shined at running back, earning the nickname “McWeapon” from the coaching staff. He committed to play at Boise State and averaged 9.4 yards per carry as a freshman.
As the feature back in his junior season, McNichols rushed for 1,709 yards on 314 attempts, while crossing the goal line 23 times. He also collected 474 receiving yards out of the backfield.
And while he has just six rushing attempts for 29 yards in four games this season, McNichols has proved to be a valuable weapon out of the backfield, averaging just under nine yards per reception, with one touchdown.
Had he not been fortunate enough to play in Snoop Dogg’s youth football league, McNichols noted that he probably wouldn’t have been able to play.
“It gave me hope. A lot of times, kids can’t really afford to play football. Him even giving me that opportunity to allow you to have pads and a helmet and maybe not pay as much and be able to play with your peers, that changed my life,” the Titans running back concluded.
McNichols and the Titans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.