Jalen Richard

Jalen Cantrell Richard (born October 15, 1993) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Southern Mississippi and signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

Early life

Richard was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 15, 1993, to Krissy and James Richard. He has two younger brothers, Jeremy and Justin. Richard attended Peabody Magnet High School and participated in track and field and football.

College career

Richard played college football at Southern Mississippi from 2012–2015. As a freshman, he ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns in a loss at Central Florida. Overall, Richard finished the season with 87 carries for 426 yards and four touchdowns to go along with eight receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.

In the 2013 season, Richard had 85 carries for 326 yards and 21 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.

In the 2014 season, Richard finished with 40 carries for 236 yards and a touchdown to go along with 24 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.

On September 19, 2015, Richard ran for 230 yards and four touchdowns in a win at Texas State. On October 24, he ran for 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with a 95-yard kick return touchdown against Charlotte. On November 21, Richard had 161 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a home victory over Old Dominion. In his final collegiate season, Richard’s role expanded and he finished with 185 carries for 1,098 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 30 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Richard also had 23 returns for 232 yards and a touchdown.

Richard graduated from Southern Mississippi with a major in exercise science.

Collegiate statistics

Professional career

Richard signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He decided to wear the #30 jersey in honor of a god-brother who was unable to continue playing football due to illness.

2016 season

Richard made his NFL debut in the narrow season-opening 35-34 road victory over the New Orleans Saints, recording three carries for 84 yards and a 75-yard touchdown to go along with two receptions for 11 yards. The 75-yard score came on his first career carry, and Richard became just the fourth player to have a touchdown run of 75 yards or more in his NFL debut ( Oran Pape in 1930, Alan Ameche in 1955, and Ottis Anderson in 1979). During a Week 5 34-31 victory over the San Diego Chargers, he had 31 rushing yards and caught six passes for a season-high 66 yards. Three weeks later, Richard had five carries for 34 yards in a 30-24 overtime road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During a Week 9 30-20 victory over the Denver Broncos, Richard had eight carries for 62 yards. During a Week 16 33-25 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he had six carries for 66 yards to go along with three receptions for 13 yards and a touchdown.

Richard finished his rookie season with 83 carries for 491 yards and a touchdown to go along with 29 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 51 returns for 708 yards.

2017 season

During a Week 2 45-20 victory over the New York Jets, Richard had six carries for 58 yards and a 52-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to go along with two receptions for 51 yards. During a Week 12 21-14 victory over the Denver Broncos, he recorded two carries for 17 yards and two receptions for 13 yards and a touchdown.

Richard finished his second professional season with 56 carries for 275 yards and a touchdown to go along with 27 receptions for 256 yards and a touchdown. He also had 34 returns for 245 yards.

2018 season

Under new head coach Jon Gruden, Richard saw an expanded role in the receiving game in the 2018 season. He began the season with nine receptions for 55 yards in the season-opening 33-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. During a Week 13 40-33 loss the Kansas City Chiefs, he had 126 scrimmage yards (31 receiving, 95 rushing). Three weeks later against the Denver Broncos, Richard recorded four carries for 11 yards and a touchdown to go along with four receptions for 40 yards.

Richard finished the 2018 season with 68 receptions for 607 yards to go along with 55 carries for 259 yards and a touchdown.

2019 season

On March 7, 2019, the Raiders placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Richard.

In the 2019 season, Richard recorded 39 carries for 145 yards to go along with 36 receptions for 323 yards. He also had 15 returns for 209 yards.

2020 season

On February 5, 2020, Richard signed a two-year contract extension with the Raiders.

During a Week 2 34-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on ''Monday Night Football'', Richard lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter, but later rushed for a 20-yard touchdown to help secure the victory. He was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list by the team on December 30, 2020.

Richard finished the 2020 season with 22 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown to go along with 19 receptions for 138 yards. He also returned 10 kicks for 240 yards.

2021 season

On September 2, 2021, Richard was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on October 9.

Richard finished the 2021 season with nine carries for 40 yards to go along with 12 receptions for 72 yards. He also returned 11 kicks for 227 yards.

NFL career statistics

References

External links

Southern Miss Golden Eagles biography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard, Jalen
1993 births
Living people
American football return specialists
American football running backs
Oakland Raiders players
Players of American football from Louisiana
Southern Miss Golden Eagles football players
Sportspeople from Alexandria, Louisiana