Tag: Xazavian Valladay

Saints sign another running back to their practice squad

The Saints brought in some running back depth on Tuesday, signing second-year player Xazavian Valladay to the practice squad:

The New Orleans Saints have brought in additional running back depth by signing second-year player Xazavian Valladay to the practice squad, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler The Saints currently have three running backs on the  53-man roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims.

However, Williams is dealing with a groin injury right now and missed the Saints’ Week 9 game. They also have Jacob Kibodi on the practice squad as of this moment.

Valladay was an exceptional running back at the college level, putting together four 1,00-yard rushing seasons, including in 2019 when he led the PAC-12 in rushing attempts (247), rushing yards (1,265), and plays from scrimmage (258). Over his five years in college, he played in 54 games accruing 841 rush attempts, 4,473 yards (5.3 yards per carry), 35 rushing touchdowns, as well as 88 receptions for 873 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.

Overall he was very good at both Wyoming and Arizona State, but would go undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft class. He has signed three practice squad deals since then, with the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, and New York Jets from late 2023 to 2024, before being released in September.

Though he does only have one game on the active roster of an NFL team, he is still only one year into his tenure and showed flashes of promise in college. Also a fun fact, if he were to make the 53-man roster, he would be the first Saint to do so with their first name starting with the letter “X”. One of the few exceptions from him being the only Saint to ever sign with the team under those circumstances is Xavier Rush, who signed in Aug. 2017 for a few weeks.

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Analyzing the Texans’ recent transactions

The Houston Texans made a flurry of transactions Aug. 12-13. Here is what they could mean.

The Houston Texans were busy after their 20-9 win over the New England Patriots.

Coach DeMeco Ryans saw the Texans’ first preseason game as a decent entry.

“I think this was a great starting point for us as a team, but it also is great to get young guys reps, and it’s great to get the tape so guys can see where we need to improve, why are these small details so important, why are coaches harping on these things,” Ryans said. “Now, you see it in a game, and you see why, and I think guys will continue to improve.”

As part of that improvement, the Texans made a total of six roster moves on Aug. 12-13. Here is a look at those moves and what they could indicate.

Houston Texans training camp 53-man roster prediction: Who is safe for Opening Day?

Who are the early favorites to make the Houston Texans’ 53-man roster for the season opener? | from @JohnHCrumpler

The Houston Texans are about a month away from the start of their 2023 training camp and the first season under new coach DeMeco Ryans. It was an offseason full of change that featured over $50 million spent in free agency and selecting two of the first three picks in the NFL draft.

After months of hype, the Texans are rapidly approaching a point where the pads will come on and they’ll try to have more success than the 3-13-1 roster that proceeded them. General manager Nick Caserio has positioned the team with as much talent as possible and a glance at the 90-man roster entering training camp would suggest he’s done a good job.

There’s still a month of practice, three preseason contests, and two joint practices with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins before Houston will decide the team that enters the season from those 90 players. C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson are certainly locks to make the roster with sophomore standouts Jalen Pitre and Dameon Pierce, but here’s an early look at who those other Texans may be.

New rookies are marked with an (R) and new free agents or trades are marked with an (FA) for fans looking to catch up on the offseason changes.

Texans sign 9 undrafted free agents

The Houston Texans have signed nine undrafted free agents in time for rookie minicamp.

The Houston Texans have announced the signings of nine undrafted free agents.

A third of the Texans’ signings were offensive linemen as they added former Western Michigan tackle Dylan Deatherage, former guard-tackle Tyler Beach from Wisconsin, and former Auburn tackle Kilian Zierer.

Houston signed two receivers with Jared Wayne from Pittsburgh and Jesse Matthews from San Diego State.

The Texans signed former Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay. Houston also signed former Memphis punter Joe Doyle.

The two defensive players Houston signed were former LSU defensive end Ali Gaye and former Duke safety Darius Joyner.

Houston has also signed four of their nine draftees.

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How undrafted RB Xazavian Valladay could make the Texans’ roster

Undrafted free agent running back Xazavian Valladay has a shot to make the Houston Texans’ final roster.

The Houston Texans didn’t exactly load up their undrafted free agent class following the 2023 NFL draft. Nevertheless there could be a couple of gems from the signees who find their way onto the Texans’ final roster.

According to Jeff Risdon from the Draft Wire, a good candidate among the undrafted crop is former Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay.

The Texans gave Valladay $175,000 to sign, an indication of how much they like the speedster from Arizona State. His ability to catch the ball and reliably make the first tackler miss give Valladay the ability to usurp Dare Ogunbowale on the Houston depth chart.

Ogunbowale, who originally found his way into the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, returned in 2022 as a reserve back in Houston’s running back stable. The 28-year-old carried 42 times for 123 yards and a touchdown while also catching 20 passes for 104 yards.

Valladay generated 1,192 yard and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries through 12 games with the Sun Devils last season. The potential for production is not in question.

Where the former graduate transfer from Wyoming would have to prove himself is in the transition phase of the game, as the majority of the offensive reps are going to Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary. Ogunbowale played 281 special teams snaps compared to 183 offensive snaps. Valladay would have to demonstrate to coach DeMeco Ryans and special teams coordinator Frank Ross that he can be trusted to supplant Ogunbowale in this role before any playing time on offense comes into question.

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Bengals schedule top-30 NFL draft visit with RB Xazavian Valladay

A notable pre-draft visit for the Bengals.

It’s no secret the Cincinnati Bengals could attack the running back position in the 2023 NFL draft.

One name to know? Arizona State’s Xazavian Valladay.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bengals will use one of their top 30 pre-draft visits on the experienced running back.

Last year, Valladay ran for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns on a 5.5 average with another 37 catches as a receiver. His one-cut approach and sheer speed make him a nice fit in an offense like the one in Cincinnati.

Of course, this hinges on what the Bengals want to do with Joe Mixon after losing Samaje Perine. They really like backup Trayveon Williams and will apparently have their pick of free-agent veterans like Ezekiel Elliott.

Either way, Valladay is one name to keep in mind in the middle rounds.

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Arizona Bowl: Georgia State vs. Wyoming odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Arizona Bowl between the Georgia State Panthers and Wyoming Cowboys, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and tips.

The Georgia State Panthers (7-5) and Wyoming Cowboys (7-5) tangle in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, played at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET Tuesday (CBS Sports Network). We analyze the Georgia State-Wyoming odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Georgia State vs. Wyoming: Three things you need to know

1. Wyoming was rolling right along before redshirt freshman QB Sean Chambers (knee) suffered a season-ending injury, knocking things off the rails. QB Tyler Vander Waal led the team to one win in his absence. Vander Waal is nursing an ankle injury but is expected to play. Both he and dual-threat option Levi Williams will likely see time under center.

2. Cowboys RB Xazavian Valladay rushed for a team-high 1,061 yards and 4.8 yards per carry with five touchdowns, and he is the player to watch. Wyoming also has a familiar name, WR Raghib Ismail Jr., as the ‘Baby Rocket’ posted 20 grabs for a team-high 305 yards and two scores.

3. Georgia State was a bit one-dimensional, ranking 93rd in the nation in passing (201.8 yards per game) while ranking 14th in rushing yards (245.2). RB Tra Barnett is the star, rushing for 1,389 yards and 12 scores.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Georgia State vs. Wyoming: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Wyoming 25, Georgia State 16

Moneyline (ML)

Wyoming (-264) is expected to win this one, but it will cost you nearly three times your potential return. PASS and look to the spread instead.

Against the Spread (ATS)

WYOMING (-6.5, -121) has a star in Valladay, and he’ll be the difference. The Cowboys are a little more balanced offensively, too, and head coach Craig Bohl gives Wyoming the coaching edge, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 47.5 (-106) is the play. This game won’t be a 10-7 battle like last season’s Cal-TCU battle in the Arizona Bowl, mainly because each team has a tailback that can house it every time he touches the ball, but the lack of crisp passing attacks on each side will keep the score down.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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