Who is Tony Pollard? Tony Pollard is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL. Born on April 30, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee, Pollard's journey from high school standout to NFL star is nothing short of impressive. He shined at Melrose High School, excelling as a wide receiver and cornerback. His college career at the University of Memphis further showcased his talents, especially in kickoff returns. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, Pollard quickly made a name for himself with his dynamic playmaking abilities. Now, as a key player for the Titans, Pollard continues to impress fans and analysts alike.
Key Takeaways:
- Tony Pollard's journey from Memphis to the NFL began with impressive high school achievements, showcasing his talent as a two-way starter and setting the stage for his future success.
- Pollard's college career at the University of Memphis highlighted his versatility and playmaking abilities, particularly in special teams, leading to standout moments and records.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Tony Pollard's journey to the NFL began in Memphis, Tennessee. His early years were marked by impressive performances on the field, setting the stage for his future success.
- Birthdate and Place: Tony Pollard was born on April 30, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee.
- High School Career: Pollard attended Melrose High School, where he was a two-way starter at wide receiver and cornerback.
- Senior Year Stats: He amassed over 1,200 receiving yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a senior.
- Two-Way All-District: Pollard was a two-way all-district selection at both wide receiver and defensive back.
College Career at the University of Memphis
Pollard's college career at the University of Memphis showcased his versatility and playmaking abilities, particularly in the return game.
- College Football: Pollard accepted a football scholarship from the University of Memphis and played college football there.
- Redshirt Freshman: He redshirted as a true freshman in 2015.
- 2016 Season: As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Pollard appeared in 13 games and started seven.
- 2016 Stats: He registered 29 receptions for 298 yards and 31 carries for 159 yards, with three touchdowns.
- Special Teams Player of the Year: He was named the American Athletic Conference's Special Teams Player of the Year for his exceptional kickoff return performance.
College Achievements and Records
Pollard's college career was filled with standout moments and records, particularly in special teams.
- 2016 Kickoff Returns: Pollard had 22 kickoff returns with an average of 28.1 yards per return and two touchdowns.
- 2017 Season: In 2017, Pollard had 36 receptions for 536 yards and 30 carries for 230 yards, with six touchdowns.
- 2017 Kickoff Returns: He set a school record with an average of 40 yards per kickoff return and four touchdowns.
- College Kickoff Return Record: Pollard tied an FBS record with seven career kickoff returns for touchdowns.
- College Degree: He earned a degree in sport and leisure management from the University of Memphis.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season
Pollard's transition to the NFL began with the Dallas Cowboys, where he quickly made an impact as a rookie.
- NFL Draft: The Dallas Cowboys drafted Tony Pollard in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
- Rookie Season (2019): Pollard had 86 rushing attempts for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
- Rookie Receiving Stats: He also had 15 receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.
- Kickoff Returns (2019): Pollard had 14 kickoff returns for 245 yards.
Improvement and Pro Bowl Selection
Pollard's performance continued to improve, leading to his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
- 2020 Season: Pollard had 101 rushing attempts for 435 yards and four touchdowns.
- 2020 Receiving Stats: He also had 28 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown.
- 2020 Kickoff Returns: Pollard had 32 kickoff returns for 766 yards, ranking fourth in the NFL.
- Pro Bowl Selection: Pollard was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2022.
Becoming the Primary Back
With the departure of Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard took on a more significant role in the Cowboys' offense.
- Franchise Tag: The Dallas Cowboys used the franchise tag on Pollard heading into the 2023 season.
- Primary Back Role: Pollard became the primary back for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
- Career-High Carries: He had a career-high 252 carries in 2023.
- Career-High Targets: Pollard also had a career-high 67 targets in 2023.
Notable Games and Performances
Pollard's 2023 season featured several standout performances, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.
- Game Against Minnesota (2023): Pollard had 109 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards, totaling 189 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns.
- Game Against Jacksonville (2023): He had 19 rushing attempts for 75 yards and four receptions for 31 yards, totaling 106 scrimmage yards.
- Injury Against Tennessee (2023): Pollard was inactive due to a thigh injury.
- Game Against Washington (2023): He had seven rushing attempts for 19 yards, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career.
Special Teams and Career Milestones
Pollard's contributions on special teams and his career milestones highlight his versatility and impact on the field.
- Special Teams Captain: Pollard was selected as the special teams captain at Minnesota (10/31/2023).
- Kick Return for a Touchdown: He had his first career kick return for a touchdown against Las Vegas (11/25/2023).
- Career-Long Scoring Run: Pollard had a career-long 58-yard scoring jaunt against New Orleans (12/2/2023).
- Receiving Statistics (2023): Pollard had 29 receptions for 298 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Career Statistics and Efficiency
Pollard's career statistics and efficiency metrics provide a comprehensive look at his performance in the NFL.
- NFL Statistics: Pollard has 762 career rushing attempts for 3,621 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
- Career Receptions: He has 154 receptions for 1,344 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per reception.
- Career Touchdowns: Pollard has scored 17 touchdowns in his career.
- Kickoff Returns: He has 64 career kickoff returns for 1,407 yards, averaging 22 yards per return.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite facing challenges, Pollard remains a promising player with significant potential for future success.
- Health Issues: Pollard fractured his leg in the playoff loss to the 49ers last January, which might have contributed to his decreased productivity in 2023.
- Goal-Line Situations: Pollard has struggled in goal-line situations, with only 22 carries inside the 10-yard line in 2023.
- Short-Yardage Situations: Pollard's skill set does not fit well in short-yardage situations, leading to some inefficiencies in his play.
- Next Gen Stats: Pollard is on pace to set career lows in yards per carry, yards over expectation per carry, EPA per carry, and rate of carries of 10 or more yards.
Leadership and Team Contributions
Pollard's leadership role and contributions to the team highlight his importance to the Cowboys.
- Leadership Role: Pollard was named a team captain by the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
- Scoring Summary (2020-2023): Pollard's scoring summary includes 4 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown in 2020, 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown in 2021, 9 rushing touchdowns and 3 receiving touchdowns in 2022, and 6 rushing touchdowns and 6 receiving touchdowns in 2023.
- Snap Counts (2019-2023): Pollard played in 15 games in 2019, 16 games in 2020, 15 games in 2021, 16 games in 2022, and 17 games in 2023.
Defensive and Special Teams Contributions
Pollard's contributions on defense and special teams further demonstrate his versatility and value to the team.
- Defensive Statistics (2019-2023): Pollard has 0 interceptions and 1 fumble recovered in 2020.
- Fumbles and Interceptions (Career): Pollard has 1 career fumble and 0 interceptions.
- Tackles and Tackles for Loss (Career): Pollard has 178 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in his career.
- Special Teams Tackles (Career): Pollard has 14 special teams tackles and 10 special teams stops in his career.
Future Prospects and Potential
Despite the challenges he has faced, Pollard remains a promising player with significant potential for future success in the NFL.
- Future Prospects: Despite the challenges he has faced in 2023, Tony Pollard remains a promising player with significant potential for future success in the NFL.
Tony Pollard's Impact on the NFL
Tony Pollard's journey from Melrose High School to the NFL showcases his incredible talent and versatility. His college career at the University of Memphis set the stage for his professional success, especially with his standout kickoff returns. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, Pollard quickly proved his worth, becoming a key player both as a running back and in special teams. His 2022 Pro Bowl selection and first 1,000-yard rushing season highlight his growth. Despite some challenges in 2023, including a leg injury, Pollard's resilience and skill keep him as a valuable asset. Now with the Tennessee Titans, his future looks bright. Pollard's story is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and seizing opportunities. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see what he accomplishes next.
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