Xazavian

Valladay

Jets released/waived S Al Blades, RB Xazavian Valladay, DL Jaylen Twyman, CB Tre Swilling, S Jaylen Key, WR Brandon Smith, OG Kohl Levao, CB Shemar Bartholomew, OT Austin Deculus, LB Sam Eguavoen, OT Obinna Eze, TE Anthony Firkser, OL Chris Glaser, OL Jake Hanson, WR Tyler Harrell, DT Bruce Hector, LB Anthony Hines, DL Jalyn Holmes, RB Deon Jackson, TE Zack Kuntz, S Jarius Monroe, OL Brady Latham, QB Adrian Martinez, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, WR Lance McCutcheon, QB Andrew Peasley, TE Lincoln Sefcik, K Austin Seibert, CB Kendall Sheffield, CB Nehemiah Shelton, LB Jackson Sirmon, DT Tanzel Smart, OG Willie Tyler, and WR Isaiah Winstead.

Fitzpatrick was one of several players let go by the Steelers to trim the roster down to the required 53 men by cut-down day. In addition to Fitzpatrick, the Steelers also released/waived TE Zach Gentry, TE Rodney Williams, CB Luq Barcoo, CB Chris Wilcox, DT Breiden Fehoko, DT Jonathan Williams, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, LB Quincy Roche, OL Ryan McCollum, RB Greg Bell, RB Xazavian Vallady, S Trenton Thompson, S Tre Norwood, WR Jordan Byrd, CB Lavert Hill, DL Manny Jones, LB Toby Ndukwe, OL Le’Raven Clark, OL William Dunkle, QB Tanner Morgan, RB Darius Hagans, S Jalen Elliott, and S Kenny Robinson.

Valladay was released by the Texans just two days ago after appearing in the team’s first preseason game. The former Arizona State undrafted free agent couldn’t stick on a Houston roster with other glaring needs but could challenge a relatively weak Pittsburgh depth chart for a situational or special teams role.

Valladay (6'0/198) entered the transfer portal in late December, and has now found a new home at Arizona State. Valladay’s arrival at Arizona State is a welcomed one after running back DeaMonte Trayanum announced that he would be leaving for Ohio State, and Rachaad White has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. Valladay brings a tremendous resume with him to Arizona State, which includes two 1,000+ yard rushing seasons, and 51 career receptions for 584 yards and two touchdowns. Valladay rushed for 1,063 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 while averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and rushed for over 100 yards in three games. The Sun Devils have been busy in the transfer portal as of late, but Valladay should have a good shot at making an immediate impact for ASU in 2022.

Valladay (6'0"/198) has been a fixture at Wyoming since he arrived on campus. He rushed for over 1000 yards for the second time in his career in 2021, and needed just over 1000 yards to becoming the Cowboys all-time leading rusher. That record will remain unbroken for now though, as Valladay is the latest in a long line of Wyoming transfers.

Valladay (6'0/198) didn’t need to do much in this one, with quarterback Levi Williams handling most of the heavy running in a 200-yard rushing effort. Valladay did manage to score on a three-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to put Wyoming up 35-24, as he spent much of the day moving the chains when called upon, never rushing for more than nine yards on any carry. Valladay’s 2021 season ends with him rushing for 1,067 yards on 209 carries and five touchdowns, while also catching 23 passes for 233 yards.

Valladay (6'0/198) was contained throughout Wyoming’s matchup with Hawaii on Saturday, something that not every defense has been able to do in 2021. Valladay entered the day with 177 carries for 942 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, but couldn’t get anything going against the Warriors, with his long play of the day coming on a 14-yard run. Valladay is now just 16-yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards on the season, and should get a chance at his second 1,000 yard season in bowl season with Wyoming still eligible at 6-6.

Valladay (6'0/198) and Titus Swen each went over 100 rushing yards, as the Cowboys just rammed the ball down the throat of Utah State all evening. Wyoming totaled 362 rushing yards with two scored and 7.4 yards per attempt in the rout. It was Valladay’s fourth 100-yard game of the season, and first since Oct. 30 at San Jose State. He’ll look to keep up the good work when Hawaii pays a visit to Laramie next Saturday. Valladay gashed Hawaii for 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on Oct. 30, 2020 last season.

The Cowboys’ offense has struggled immensely as they went into this game without scoring a touchdown in 10 straight quarters. Valladay (6'0"/198) has also not played well recently, as he’s rushed for just 76 yards in his last two games. It looked like it would continue this week against San Jose State who was able to contain him early on. SJSU would not let him breakthrough for most of this game, he was finally able to find a gap and he exploded for 67 yards. This was the first big play for the Cowboys as it got them to the red zone and a touchdown would get them within six. After that, he was playing much better as he broke off a few more runs for 10 or more yards to pad his stats. Unfortunately, Wyoming is still looking for their first win in the Moutain West as they will host Colorado State next Saturday.

There was nothing good about Wyoming’s offensive performance on Saturday. Valladay (6'0/198), who entered the day averaging 113.4 total yards per game was limited to just 67 total yards in this one, as he and the Cowboys failed to find the end zone while turning the ball over five times. Now on a two-game losing streak, Wyoming (4-2) will look to change course next week against New Mexico.