Category: Knights in the NFL

Former Rutgers star Isiah Pacheco is ‘unsatisfied’ with rookie season for the Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco updates his injury status, talks outlook for the 2023 season.

Isiah Pacheco likely couldn’t ask for much more last season as a rookie, the former Rutgers football running back starting for the Kansas City Chiefs on their way to the Super Bowl. But Pacheco has higher expectations for his second season in the NFL.

Last season, was certainly a strong one for Pacheco, who was a Day 3 pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Pacheco was part of an all-Rutgers backfield that also included fullback Michael Burton.

During the regular season, Pacheco ran for 830 yards and five touchdowns on 170 carries. He also made significant contributions on special teams as a kickoff returner and scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win.

He told reporters this week at training camp that the game has slowed down significnatly from when he was a rookie.

“It slowed down a lot I trust myself, and I trust the scheme, the quarterbacks, and the coaches,” Pacheco told reporters..

“For me, like I said before, finding the little things I got to get better at. Like I said, I have standards and I’m unsatisfied.”

Pacheco hasn’t been fully unleased this offseason or in training camp as he continues to wear the yellow non-contact practice jersey.

He continues to rehab and heal from a broken hand a torn labrum suffered last season. Pacheco played in the Super Bowl with both injuries.

“It’s very frustrating but when you’re on the side and getting those mental reps, detailing and asking coach ‘what’s this play’ and getting those mental reps in the back. It allows me to stay on top of the task.”

Rutgers Wire was the first to report both injuries in May.

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But Pacheco is optimistic about being able to take the next step in his second NFL season. He was asked this week about his infamous dance moves and touchdown celebrations.

He said he is working on something for this year.

“I’m from Jersey, so you know we’re known for dancing,” Pacheco said. “We’re known for dancing in Jersey.”

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Tampa Bay Bucs signed former Scarlet Knight Avery Young to their 90-man roster

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Rutgers’ former defensive back Avery Young to their training camp roster.

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Rutgers’ former defensive back Avery Young to their training camp roster. Young’s signing marks the Bucs’ first roster move since opening training camp on July 26. Tampa Bay waived first-year tackle Grant Hermanns to make room for Young on the 90-man roster.

Young, the undrafted free agent, signed with the San Francisco 49ers in May but was waived last Tuesday and cleared waivers on Wednesday. The former Rutgers captain played five seasons with the Scarlet Knights and earned the program’s Iron Knight Award for demonstrating mental and physical toughness at a high level.

While playing with Rutgers, Young played three seasons at cornerback and the last two at safety. The 6-foot, 198-pound defensive back recorded 84 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble while starting all 12 games at safety last season for the Scarlet Knights.

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During the 2022 season, Young achieved All-ECAC Defense and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference (Coaches and Media). For his Rutgers career, Young recorded 169 solo tackles, 326 total tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, 26 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 57 games.

Young will join former Rutgers teammate Christian Izien on the Buccaneers’ 90-man roster. Also, Young will join his brother Jordan Young, an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion, on the Bucs’ training camp roster.

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Throwback Tuesday? Now Falcons edge Kemoko Turay helps Rutgers get first Big Ten win

Kemoko Turay helped Rutgers to their first ever Big Ten win.

Kemoko Turay is a freakish athlete, who could be able to help the Atlanta Falcons off the edge. During four standout years at Rutgers, Turay did a little bit of everything.

Including, blocking a field goal attempt as Rutgers got their first win as a Big Ten program.

Turay signed with the Falcons over the weekend, putting the long and athletic edge rusher on a team that could use his ability. Rutgers fans know what he can bring to a team, as he was a dominant force for the Scarlet Knights.

The block came in the 2014 season, the first that Rutgers was in the Big Ten. Late in their Week 6 game against Michigan, Turay rose up and blocked the field goal with his left hand.

It was an impressive – and inspiring – athletic display given that Turay didn’t come off the edge and didn’t penetrate the Wolverines’ blocking scheme. Instead, he was in the middle of the line and rose up to make the block on the field goal attempt.

Rutgers would beat Michigan 26-24.

Turay was a tremendous ambassador for Rutgers, earning an invite to the 2018 Senior Bowl.

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In his four seasons at Rutgers, he had 103 total tackles and 15.5 sacks. He had 20.5 tackles for a loss, amounting to 130 yards for a loss.

Rutgers ended their first season in the Big Ten with an 8-5 record and an emphatic Quick Lane Bowl win over North Carolina.

Turay has battled injuries during his NFL career. He was a second round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2018 NFL draft.

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Watch: Former Rutgers star Aron Cruickshank with an acrobatic catch at Chicago Bears training camp

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Aron Cruickshank, a former Rutgers standout, made an impressive play in training camp.

Aron Cruickshank is making an impression with the Chicago Bears. The former Rutgers football standout wide receiver pulled off quite the catch in training camp this week.

An undrafted rookie free agent, Cruickshank was one of the top special team performers in the Big Ten over the last three years. But the fact that he is making an impression on the offensive side of the ball is certainly promising for his chances to make an NFL roster.

Last season, Cruickshank posted a career-high in receptions (42) and receiving yards (385). He also had two receiving touchdowns for Rutgers. Through his three seasons at Rutgers, he averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return.

A transfer from Wisconsin, Cruickshank has blazing speed and big play ability. He showed that with this acrobatic catch for the Bears in training camp:

 

At his Pro Day in March, Cruickshank ran a 4.45 time in the 40.

In terms of his ability to make the roster or be signed to the practice squad, it is encouraging to see Cruickshank make plays on offense. While special teams is likely his ticket to his NFL future. his ability to make plays as a wide receiver is certainly an added benefit to his resume.

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An ‘unsatisfied’ Isiah Pacheco is ready for his second season with the Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco is ready for a bigger role with the Kansas City Chiefs this season.

Isiah Pacheco is ready for some football. The Kansas City Chiefs running back, a Day 3 selection out of Rutgers last year, has been working hard this offseason to get healthy and ready to make a bigger impact in his second NFL season.

Pacheco is coming off a dream rookie year. From being a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers to scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, it couldn’t have been written up any better from the running back.

Last week at Chiefs training camp, Pacheco laid out his vision ahead of the upcoming season, telling reporters he isn’t worried about the target on the team’s back as Super Bowl champions. He wants to focus on the work that is ahead of him in camp and preseason.

Week 1, he says, will take care of itself.

“For me, I’m really not worried about the teams I’m worried about one team and that’s us right now,” Pacheco told reporters last week.

“And when that first team comes, (we) take it one game at a time.”

Throughout the playoffs, Pacheco battled a shoulder injury, which was first reported by Rutgers Wire in May. Pacheco said last season’s shoulder injury is better and that he currently is “Feeling great, it’s a process.

This injury didnā€™t seem to slow down Pacheco very much as, in the Super Bowl,Ā he had 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the gameā€™s second quarter. Pachecoā€™s hard running was crucial to helping theĀ ChiefsĀ beat the Philadelphia Eagles to win the championship.

Despite the strong season in Kansas City, which included ascending to the starting running back job by midseason, Pacheco says there is more work to be done. Pushing harder and working more, he says, is part of a daily mindset.

“That’s daily For me, being unsatisfied and willing to work. There’s more to work (on),” Pacheco said.

“The unit, when they get here, I know we’re going to have a good time.”

Last season, he finished the regular season with 830 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also had 130 receiving yards on 13 catches.

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(Make sure to follow Chiefs Wire all season long for more on Isiah Pacheco and the defending Super Bowl champions)

Getting involved more in the passing offense and getting more catches from Patrick Mahomes, he said, is a big part of his work these early days of training camp.

“I’m just this finding those extra catches after practice and just getting my hands prepared for when Pat decides to throw it – I’m saying I’m ready,” Pacheco said.

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Former Rutgers star Isiah Pacheco states goal with the Chiefs: ‘I want to run for 1,000 yards’

Isiah Pacheco talks what is in store for his second NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Isiah Pacheco wants to take the next step with the Kansas City Chiefs, this as the former Rutgers running back is looking forward to his second season in the NFL.

A seventh round pick out in the 2022 NFL draft, Pacheco did top 1,000 rushing yards last season as a rookie if the two playoff games and the Super Bowl are included in his stat column. Still, it was a tremendous first year in the NFL for Pacheco, who won the starting job in Kansas City by the midpoint of the season.

Pacheco was a huge part of the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl last year. The former Rutgers standout ran for a touchdown in the second quarter.

He hopes to make a bigger impact this season with the Chiefs and to take a leap in his second season in the NFL.

“It’s the details, detailing my notes more. Just finding little things to get better at,” Pacheco told reporters on Thursday.

“For me, I want to run for 1,000 yards. That’s the goal, obviously, it starts here today at practice, day by day.”

Last season, Pacheco played through a serious shoulder injury. He has healed this offseason and had no limitations on Thursday during the first day of training camp.

He isn’t feeling the effects of the injury, even as he admits to wanting an increased workload.

“That’s daily, for me just being unsatisfied and willing to work. There’s more work and next week with the unit, I know we’re going to have a good time,” Pacheco said .

He was also asked in Thursday’s media availability about how he is currently feeling in terms of the injury.

“I’m feeling great right now, it’s just a process,” Pacheco said.

“That takes time. For me, (I need) to continue listening to the staff and trusting myself.”

The injury was present during the Super Bowl but not an issue. Pacheco said thatĀ  “It wasn’t bothering me, we had two weeks to recover.”

(Make sure to check out Chiefs Wire for regular content on Isiah Pacheco and his teammates as well as to give Charles Goldman a follow for his NFL coverage)

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Isiah Pacheco on visiting the White House with the Kansas Chiefs: ‘A feeling I will never forget’

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco talks about visiting the White House.

Isiah Pacheco and his Kansas City Chiefs teammates were honored this week at the Super Bowl, capping off a crazy year for the former Rutgers football running back

Pacheco capped off the Super Bowl celebrations this week with the rest of the Chiefs at the White House where they were hosted by President Joe Biden. A seventh round pick out of Rutgers in last year’s NFL draft, Pacheco had a tremendous rookie season, rushing for over 1,000 yards (including the playoffs). He earned the starting running back position by mid-season.

During the Super Bowl, he ran for a touchdown in the second quarter.

This week, the White House posted a video of Pacheco talking about his visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“It was a great feeling to be in the White House after the Super Bowl victory. After you win the Super Bowl, there’s a lot of changes but now to come back after the victory,” Pacheco said per the video released by the White House.

“To celebrate with the ones I cherish it the most with – is definitely a feeling I will never forget, will cherish forever.”

 

(Make sure to check outĀ Chiefs WireĀ for regular content on Isiah Pacheco and his teammates including stories like this:Ā Hereā€™s a key similarity between Chiefs RBs Isiah Pacheco, Deneric Prince)

Pacheco made some headlines late last week when he said that he would give his jersey number up to DeAndre Hopkins, were the NFL free agent wide receiver interested in joining the Chiefs. No word on a price tag for the Jersey number, though.

ā€œKnowing Deandre Hopkins, he may not ask for the number, you know what Iā€™m saying? (Iā€™m a) Rookie, just got a Super Bowl ring, Iā€™m willing to get another one with him,ā€ Pacheco told the media.

ā€œFor me, I just know, whatever it takes to get him here and be on the team, letā€™s do it. Letā€™s make him happy.ā€

Scroll down and check out these photos featuring Isiah Pacheco and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Rutgers in the NFL: Is Isiah Pacheco ready to give up his No. 10 jersey to DeAndre Hopkins?

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco might be willing to give up his jersey number to DeAndre Hopkins.

Isiah Pacheco hasn’t worn the No. 10 jersey since his freshman season with Rutgers football. Now heading into his second year in the NFL in the Kansas City Chiefs, Pacheco might be giving up his number once again.

Fresh off a rookie season where Pacheco rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored a touchdown in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, the running back might be ceding his number to DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. Hopkins, five times an All-Pro selection, is being linked as a free agent to the Chiefs.

And despite the level of talent that Kansas City has on offense, it would be hard for the Super Bowl winners to turn down a player like Hopkins if a deal can be worked out.

(Make sure to check out Chiefs Wire for regular content on Isiah Pacheco and his teammates including stories like this: Here’s a key similarity between Chiefs RBs Isiah Pacheco, Deneric Prince)

This means that Hopkins might want the No. 10 jersey, which Pacheco is currently wearing. Speaking to the media this week prior to his camp event in Olathe, KS, Pacheco was asked about Hopkins possibly wanting to make a deal for the No. 10.

“Knowing Deandre Hopkins, he may not ask for the number, you know what I’m saying? (I’m a) Rookie, just got a Super Bowl ring, I’m willing to get another one with him,” Pacheco told the media.

“For me, I just know, whatever it takes to get him here and be on the team, let’s do it. Let’s make him happy.”

This time a year ago, Pacheco was hoping to make the roster as a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers in last April’s NFL draft. Now, he appears locked in as the starting running back for a team that is favored to once again win the Super Bowl.

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Pacheco’s camp event this week was for young athletes from six years old up to 16 years old.

“I’m ready to rock and roll and these kids, they’re ready to have fun,” Pacheco said with a laugh. “So we’re going to sweat today.”

Scroll down and check out the best photos of Isiah Pacheco and his Kansas City Chiefs teammates during their Super Bowl win!

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Source: Isiah Pacheco played in the Super Bowl with a broken hand and a torn labrum

Isiah Pacheco played in the Super Bowl with two significant injuries.

Isaiah Pacheco played his rookie season for the Kansas City Chiefs in serious pain. Such is the toughness of Pacheco, a former standout running back for Rutgers.

A source close to the situation told Rutgers Wire that Pacheco played in the Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles with not just a broken hand but also a torn labrum.

In the AFC Championship Game, Pacheco broke a bone located between the wrist and thumb in one of his hands. This injury didnā€™t seem to slow down Pacheco very much as, in the Super Bowl, he had 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the gameā€™s second quarter. Pachecoā€™s hard running was crucial to helping the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles to win the championship.

A week after the Super Bowl win, Pacheco had surgery by Dr. Mike Guss to repair the broken bone.

Pacheco also played much of the season with a torn labrum that required surgery two weeks after the Super Bowl. This surgery was performed by Dr. David Altchek of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

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A seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, Pacheco exceeded all reasonable expectations placed on him prior to the season. By the midpoint of the season, Pacheco had won the starting running back job in Kansas City.

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He finished with regular season with 830 yards and five touchdowns on 170 carries. He also made significant contributions on special teams as a kickoff returner.

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Two Rutgers football players at New York Jets rookie minicamp

Two Rutgers football players are at Jets rookie minicamp.

Two Rutgers football players are getting the weekend to impress the New York Jets at rookie minicamp. Wide receiver Shameen Jones and defensive back Keenan Reid are both participating in the Jets’ weekend camp.

The duo of Jones and Reid are both listed as tryout players by the Jets. Both players had strong Pro Day performances in early March.

Jones is a polished wide receiver who has shown some good flashes during his five years at Rutgers. Last season, he had 16 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns.

In a 27-21 loss at Michigan State, he had two catches for 41 yards with a touchdown. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Jones has good size and is a solid route runner.

 

Reid detailed his performance at the Pro Day, where he said he met with several scouts from the Jets following his impressive showing during the workout.

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ā€œMy journey and story are different than most considering the fact I didnā€™t play as much during my time at Rutgers,ā€ Reid told Rutgers Wire this week.

ā€œBut I knew with my Pro Day results it would at least give me a chance to get looked at. I never lost faith in my abilities. All I wanted was an opportunity to show what I can do.ā€

(h/t to ESPN reporter Rich Cimini for the roster information)

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