40 Facts About Kenneth Gainwell

Early Life and High School Achievements

Kenneth Gainwell's journey to the NFL began in Yazoo City, Mississippi. His early years were marked by impressive performances on the football field, setting the stage for his future success.

1. Early Life: Kenneth Gainwell grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and attended Yazoo County High School.
2. High School Career: Gainwell was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Panthers, leading them to a 14–1 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state championship game.
3. High School Achievements: As a junior, he passed for 1,184 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 1,292 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a senior, he passed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,834 yards and 32 touchdowns.
4. High School Awards: Gainwell was named Class 3A Mr. Football for his outstanding performance in his senior year.

College Career at Memphis

Gainwell's transition to college football saw him switch positions and excel even further, showcasing his versatility and talent.

5. College Commitment: Gainwell committed to play college football at the University of Memphis over offers from Ole Miss and Tulane during his senior summer.
6. College Career: Gainwell moved to running back during summer training camp and played in four games as a true freshman before deciding to redshirt the rest of the season.
7. Redshirt Freshman: As a redshirt freshman, Gainwell was named the Tigers' starting running back following the departure of Tony Pollard.
8. College Achievements: In his redshirt freshman year, Gainwell rushed for 1,459 yards with 13 touchdowns on 231 carries and caught 51 passes for 610 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the AAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-AAC.
9. Awards and Recognition: Gainwell was also named a second-team All-American by the Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association and the National Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America.

Transition to the NFL

Kenneth Gainwell's talent caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

10. NFL Draft: Gainwell was selected in the fifth round (150th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2021 NFL draft.
11. Draft Day Reaction: Gainwell was thrilled to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, as he grew up an Eagles fan and his favorite player, Darren Sproles, works for the team as a consultant. Gainwell modeled his game after Sproles.
12. Rookie Contract: Gainwell signed his four-year rookie contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on June 3, 2021.

NFL Career and Performance

Gainwell's NFL career has been marked by steady progress and notable performances, particularly in key games.

13. Rookie Season: In his rookie season, Gainwell appeared in 16 games and had 68 carries for 291 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 33 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown.
14. 2022 Season: In the 2022 season, Gainwell had 53 carries for 240 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 169 receiving yards.
15. Postseason Performance: During the 2022 postseason, Gainwell had a standout performance in the Divisional Round against the New York Giants, rushing for a career-high 112 yards and a touchdown. This made him just the sixth Eagles player to rush for at least 100 yards in a postseason game.
16. Super Bowl LVII: Gainwell helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 38–35. In the Super Bowl, he had seven carries for 21 rushing yards and four receptions for 20 receiving yards.
17. 2023 Season: Gainwell got off to a slow start in the 2023 season, receiving criticism for responding to a fan's critical Instagram post at halftime during a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders.
18. 2023 Statistics: In the 2023 season, Gainwell had 84 carries for 364 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 30 receptions for 183 receiving yards.

Career Statistics and Contributions

Gainwell's contributions to the Eagles extend beyond just rushing yards, showcasing his versatility and value to the team.

19. Career Statistics: As of the end of the 2023 season, Gainwell has a total of 196 carries for 828 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, along with 82 receptions for 590 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
20. Kick Return Statistics: Gainwell has also contributed in the kick return game, with a total of nine returns for 156 yards and no touchdowns.
21. Fumbles: Gainwell has fumbled the ball five times in his career, losing one fumble.
22. Defense: Although primarily a running back, Gainwell has also participated in defensive plays, with one solo tackle in his career.

College Production and Pro Day

Gainwell's college production and Pro Day performance played a significant role in his draft selection and subsequent NFL career.

23. College Production: During his only year of college stats, Gainwell totaled 2,069 yards and 16 touchdowns.
24. COVID-19 Impact: Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season due to his family having major health issues with the COVID-19 virus.
25. Pro Day Performance: Gainwell did not test great at his Pro Day, with a 4.47 40-yard dash time, a 120 burst score, and a shockingly low 11.72 agility score. However, he added ten pounds to get himself up to 201 pounds, which was enough for the Eagles to feel confident drafting him in the fifth round.

Fantasy Value and Future Prospects

Gainwell's potential in fantasy football and his future role with the Eagles make him a player to watch.

26. Fantasy Value: Gainwell has shown flashes in the receiving game and a nose for the end zone, scoring at a 5.9-percent rate. His 1.73 yards per route run were enough to put him inside the top 12 for running backs, although he only commands over fifty percent of the snaps once.
27. Consistency: Gainwell’s production has been sporadic, but with Miles Sanders set to become a free agent, there should be more consistency from Gainwell moving forward, resulting in a boost in ADP (Average Draft Position).
28. Injury Impact: The injury to Miles Sanders in Week 6 of the 2021 season led to many hoping for a massive breakout from Gainwell. However, the Eagles had other plans, giving the workload to a combination of Boston Scott and Jordan Howard.
29. Receiving Game: Gainwell has shown significant potential in the receiving game, earning an 11.3-percent target share despite never commanding over fifty percent of the snaps.
30. Broken Tackles: Although not known for broken tackles, Gainwell’s 3.37 yards created per touch were 13th in the NFL, indicating his effectiveness in gaining yards after contact.
31. Snap Share: Despite not being a full-time starter, Gainwell has managed to earn significant playing time, with his snap share increasing as the season progresses.
32. Target Share: Gainwell’s target share has been impressive, especially considering his role in the Eagles' offense. He has consistently been targeted by his quarterbacks, showcasing his reliability in the passing game.
33. Yards Created Per Touch: Gainwell’s ability to create yards after contact is a significant aspect of his game. His 3.37 yards created per touch are among the best in the league, indicating his effectiveness in gaining extra yards.
34. End Zone Awareness: Gainwell has shown a keen sense of the end zone, scoring at a 5.9-percent rate. This awareness is crucial for a running back, as it allows him to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
35. Route Running: Gainwell’s route running skills are highly regarded, with his 1.73 yards per route run placing him among the top running backs in the league. This ability to run precise routes makes him a valuable asset in the passing game.
36. Red Zone Performance: Gainwell has been particularly effective in the red zone, scoring touchdowns at a high rate. This ability to score in critical situations is essential for any running back.
37. Red Zone Target Share: Despite not being a primary target in the red zone, Gainwell has managed to secure a significant number of targets in these situations. This indicates his reliability and effectiveness in scoring touchdowns.
38. Snap Count: Gainwell’s snap count has been increasing as the season progresses, indicating his growing role in the Eagles' offense. This increase in playing time should translate to more opportunities for him to contribute on the field.
39. Target Distribution: Gainwell’s target distribution has been consistent, with him often being targeted by his quarterbacks in key situations. This reliability makes him a valuable asset in the passing game.
40. Future Prospects: With Miles Sanders set to become a free agent, there is potential for Gainwell to take on a more significant role in the Eagles' offense. This could lead to increased production and a higher fantasy value for Gainwell moving forward.

Kenneth Gainwell's Impact and Future

Kenneth Gainwell's journey from Yazoo City to the NFL showcases his talent, determination, and versatility. From high school quarterback to standout running back at Memphis, Gainwell's adaptability has been key. His rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted his potential, contributing both in rushing and receiving. Gainwell's postseason performance, especially in the 2022 Divisional Round, cemented his role as a crucial player for the Eagles.

Despite a slow start in 2023, Gainwell's consistent improvement and ability to create yards after contact make him a valuable asset. With Miles Sanders' future uncertain, Gainwell's role could expand, offering more opportunities to shine. His knack for finding the end zone and reliability in the passing game suggest a promising future. Gainwell's journey is far from over, and fans can expect more exciting moments from this rising star.