The New York Giants announced that they have signed UCLA running back . In addition to Kelley, the Giants also signed defensive backs Raheem Layne and Jonathan Sutherland.
The signing of Joshua Kelley by the New York Giants comes just two days after rookie running back Tyrone Tracy was carted off the practice field. With the departure of star running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, the Giants have a need for depth at the position. Devin Singletary is currently the team’s top rusher.
Kelley, who had previously played exclusively for the Los Angeles Chargers, was drafted by them in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout his tenure with the Chargers, Kelley was mainly a backup to Austin Ekeler.
As a rookie, Kelley played in 14 games, amassing 354 yards on 111 carries and scoring two touchdowns with an average of 3.2 yards per carry. His role diminished in his second season, with only 33 carries, but he bounced back in 2022 with 69 carries for 287 yards and two touchdowns, averaging over 4.0 yards per carry. In the 2023 season, Kelley appeared in all 17 games, accumulating 107 carries for 405 yards and two touchdowns.
Before entering the NFL, Kelley played college football at UC Davis in the FCS, where he recorded 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons from 2015-16. After transferring to UCLA as a walk-on, he sat out his first season due to transfer rules. Under head coach Chip Kelly, who offered Kelley a scholarship following the 2017 season, Kelley had a standout 2018 campaign, rushing for 1,246 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a notable game against USC where he rushed for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Kelley also rushed for 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2019 before entering the NFL Draft.
Leave a Reply