Devendra KumarEzekiel Elliott (born July 22, 1995), or “Zeke,” has been a big name in the NFL since the Dallas Cowboys picked him fourth overall in the 2016 draft. Elliott put up some great numbers, even leading the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018.
His rookie year was especially impressive, with 1,631 rushing yards (the third-most ever for a rookie) and 15 touchdowns.
Before joining the NFL, Elliott had a stellar college career at Ohio State, where he rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and scored 43 touchdowns. He was a key player during Ohio State’s 2014 championship run, showing off his game-changing talent.
In recent years, Elliott faced some challenges, including injuries and a drop in performance, which led to the Cowboys releasing him after the 2022 season. But Zeke bounced back, signing with the New England Patriots in 2023 before making his return to Dallas in 2024.
Elliott is still a major name when people talk about elite running backs. His career shows how talented he is and highlights the changing role of running backs in today’s NFL.
Ezekiel Elliott’s college career
Elliott joined Ohio State in 2013 and quickly showed he was a special player. As a freshman, he played behind Carlos Hyde, rushing for 262 yards and two touchdowns on just 30 carries. But 2014 was his breakout year when he helped lead Ohio State to a national championship.
Key Achievements
- 2014 Season: Elliott was a game-changer, especially in the College Football Playoff. He rushed for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the last three games, including:
- Sugar Bowl: 230 rushing yards against Alabama.
- National Championship Game: A huge 246 rushing yards against Oregon, earning the Offensive MVP award.
- 2015 Season: He kept dominating, finishing the year with 1,821 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He won several awards, like:
- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
- Named to the First Team All-Big Ten.
- Tied for the most 100-yard rushing games in a season (12), matching Eddie George.
Career Stats
Elliott’s college numbers are incredible:
- Total Rushing Yards: 3,961 (2nd in Ohio State history)
- Rushing Touchdowns: 44 (4th in school history)
- Yards Per Carry: 6.7 (1st in Ohio State history)
- 200-Yard Rushing Games: 5 (1st in school history)
- 100-Yard Rushing Games: 22 (2nd in school history)
He did all this in just 35 games, showing how efficient and talented he was.
Awards and Honors
While at Ohio State, Elliott earned many awards, including:
- CFP National Champion (2014)
- National Championship Offensive MVP (2015)
- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
- Multiple All-American selections.
Elliott’s college success helped him become a top NFL prospect, and he was drafted fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.
Drafting Ezekiel Elliott in the NFL
Ezekiel Elliott was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and it was a huge moment for both him and the Cowboys. They were coming off a rough 4-12 season in 2015 and needed a spark their offense.
Draft Context
- Selection Details: Elliott became the seventh running back in Cowboys history to be picked in the first round, and the first since Felix Jones in 2008. It was a big deal because he was the highest-drafted Cowboys running back since Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, who was picked second overall back in 1977.
- Expectations: Heading into the draft, people had high hopes for Elliott. Many saw him as the best all-around running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Analysts loved his mix of size, speed, and skills, calling him a “three-down back” who could run, catch, and block—making him a perfect fit for any offense.
Immediate Impact
Elliott’s rookie year was incredible:
- Rookie Performance: He rushed for 1,631 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, leading the league in rushing yards. He became one of only three running backs in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in their first nine games.
- Accolades: His amazing debut earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Elliott’s performance helped the Cowboys bounce back with a strong season, ending with a playoff run.
- Chemistry with Dak Prescott: Elliott’s success went hand-in-hand with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. The two made history as the first rookie running back and quarterback duo to both make the Pro Bowl in the same year.
Elliott’s drafting had a huge impact on the Cowboys. His consistent high-level play has kept him among the top running backs in the NFL throughout his career.
Ezekiel Elliott’s Rookie Season
Ezekiel Elliott’s rookie season in 2016 was a game-changer for both him and the Dallas Cowboys. Drafted fourth overall, Elliott quickly became one of the NFL’s best running backs, living up to all the hype.
Rookie Season Overview
- Draft and Expectations: Elliott was the first running back taken in the 2016 NFL Draft, and everyone expected him to make a big impact right away, especially with the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line in front of him.
- Contract Signing: On May 18, 2016, Elliott signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $24.9 million, including a $16.3 million signing bonus.
Performance Highlights
- Rushing Stats: Elliott had an amazing rookie year, finishing with 1,631 rushing yards—the most in the league. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 15 rushing touchdowns, ranking third in the NFL for touchdowns.
- Games Played: He played in 15 games, only missing one game after the Cowboys secured their playoff spot before the final week.
- Milestones:
- Elliott became just the second Cowboys rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards, joining legend Tony Dorsett.
- He hit the 1,000-yard mark in just nine games, a feat only matched by Adrian Peterson and Eric Dickerson.
- He set a new Cowboys rookie rushing record, breaking Dorsett’s record in a game against the Ravens.
Accolades
- Awards: Elliott was showered with awards:
- Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by multiple outlets.
- Earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
- Selected to his first Pro Bowl, becoming part of the first rookie running back and quarterback duo (with Dak Prescott) to make the Pro Bowl together.
- Rookie of the Year Voting: Elliott was widely recognized by fans, players, and media, winning several Rookie of the Year honors.
Elliott’s performance helped the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, the best in the NFC. His ability to control the ground game gave Dallas a balanced offensive attack and was a big reason for their success that year.
In his first playoff game, Elliott rushed for 125 yards against the Packers, though the Cowboys fell short in a close game.
Ezekiel Elliott’s rushing records
Ezekiel Elliott has had an impressive career as a running back, both in college and the NFL. Here’s a breakdown of his biggest rushing achievements:
College Career at Ohio State
- Rushing Yards: Elliott finished with 3,961 rushing yards, second only to Ohio State legend Archie Griffin.
- Rushing Touchdowns: He scored 43 touchdowns, ranking fourth all-time at Ohio State.
- 100-Yard Games: He had 22 games with over 100 rushing yards, just behind Griffin. In 2015, he tied Eddie George for the most 100-yard games in a single season (12).
- 200-Yard Games: Elliott is one of only two players in Ohio State history to rush for over 200 yards in five games.
NFL Career Records
Elliott was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as the fourth overall pick in 2016, and he quickly became a star:
- Rookie Season (2016):
- He rushed for 1,631 yards, leading the NFL and setting the third-highest rushing total for a rookie in NFL history.
- Averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 15 rushing touchdowns.
- Following Seasons:
- In 2017, despite a suspension limiting him to 10 games, he rushed for 983 yards.
- In 2018, he bounced back with 1,434 rushing yards, winning his second NFL rushing title.
- His best single-season average was 108.7 rushing yards per game in 2016.
- Career Totals (as of September 2024):
- Rushing Yards: 8,966
- Rushing Attempts: 2,084
- Touchdowns: 72
- Yards per Carry: 4.3
Ezekiel Elliott youngest player to rush for over 1,600 yards in a season. Multiple Pro Bowl selections and earned First-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie.
As of 2024, Elliott is back with the Dallas Cowboys after spending 2023 with the New England Patriots. Throughout his career, his blend of speed, power, and agility has made him one of the top running backs in the league, consistently performing at a high level year after year.
Dallas Cowboys offense
Ezekiel Elliott showed he still had some gas in the tank last season with the Patriots. He ran the ball 184 times for 642 yards and 3 touchdowns over 15 games (starting five of them). Elliott also had 51 catches for 313 yards, which was his best receiving season since 2020 when he was with the Cowboys.
This offseason, Elliott signed a one-year, $2 million deal to return to Dallas. But so far, he’s struggled to make an impact in the RB1 role. Through three games, the 29-year-old veteran has only run for 62 yards on 19 carries with just one touchdown, averaging just 20.7 yards per game.
The Cowboys will need Elliott to find that old spark as the season moves forward if they want to keep their offense rolling.
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Conclusion: The Untold success of Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott has had an amazing NFL career, making a big impact on the Dallas Cowboys. From his rookie season in 2016, when he led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards and was named First-Team All-Pro, Elliott proved he was one of the best running backs in the league. His strong running helped the Cowboys have a balanced offense that kept defenses guessing.
Elliott has also been a leader for the Cowboys. His hard work and experience have set a good example for younger players, helping keep the team focused and motivated. His leadership, combined with his consistent performances, has made him a key part of the team’s success over the years.
Devendra Kumar
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