FBS leading rusher from 2018-2022 with 4,473 yards
Published August 15th, 7:39 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Latrobe, PA – Immediately following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, former Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay signed with the Texans. Houston gave the Sun Devils’ lone all-conference honoree a signing bonus of guaranteed money worth $175,00. Roughly the ballpark of players selected within mid-round of the sixth round.
Valladay played one series with Texans in the preseason 20-9 win over the New England Patriots. Carrying the football four times for eight yards. The FBS leading rusher from 2018-2022 with 4,473 rushing yards was released two days later.
A crowded backfield “that’s all it was” said Valladay after his first Steelers practice. “I got my first taste of NFL life for sure. I’m not the GM, I don’t make decisions. All I can do is go out there and do my thing every day.”
When Valladay is doing his thing, he is scoring touchdowns and piling up yards, which included 1,192 to go with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2022, in his debut season in the formerly known Pac-12. His dominance in the Mountain West was the precursor to 21 total one hundred rushing performances.
“Definitely a nose for the end zone,” Valladay laughs. “Doesn’t matter if it’s close or far from it. I’ll definitely find my way.”
Playing in a wishbone offense in Pop Warner, Valladay has been well versed in carrying the rock since his earliest days playing the game he loves. With 88 career receptions for 873 yards, Valladay is a weapon in his current 6-foot and 210 pound frame.
“So, I have a little nose for different types of offenses and just being able to have the ball in my hands and make things happen. Make some things shake as some people might say.”
During his first practice wearing No. 33, Valladay was doing anything reminiscent of his collegiate days playing the game of football. He was simply getting acclimated to the new environment. It’s been a crazy week for the 24-year-old.
“When I got released from the Texans,” Valladay said he headed home for a few days. “I found my way back home for a little bit. Spent some time with my son. Just being able to clear waivers and God has blessed me another opportunity to be a Pittsburgh Steelers. I think that just over the course of the last 48 hours things have happened so fast.”
Valladay says he’s been able to soak it all in. The realm of trying to make a career in the National Football League.
“Just being able to keep my mind focused on making the roster,” Valladay said of his current goals. “Playing my best football. Not get caught up too much in the lime life of being in the NFL but take the time to appreciate it. Not a lot of people make it here. So, I’ve had time to reflect on that.”
The reflection will quickly become a reality as the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills, Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. A trio of backs led by Najee Harris and back-ups Jaylen Warren and Anthony McFarland should be roster locks by cutdown day on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.
Valladay has a couple weeks to display his natural athletic ability along with his 4.4 speed. Like many undrafted free agents, the course of the next several months or even years can bounce a player from one city to another before they can settle down.
Valladay has the skills now, it’s just putting it all together to stick in the National Football League.
