Ezekiel Elliott facts for kids

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Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021

Position:

Running back

Personal information

Born:

July 22, 1995 (age 29)
Alton, Illinois, U.S.

Height:

6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)

Weight:

225 lb (102 kg)

Career information

High school:

John Burroughs (Ladue, Missouri)

College:

Ohio State (2013–2015)

NFL Draft:

2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4

Career history

Dallas Cowboys (2016–2022)
New England Patriots (2023)
Dallas Cowboys (2024)
Los Angeles Chargers (2024)*

Career highlights and awards

First-team All-Pro (2016)
Second-team All-Pro (2018)
3× Pro Bowl (2016, 2018, 2019)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2016)
2× NFL rushing yards leader (2016, 2018)
CFP national champion (2014)
CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP (2015)
Second-team All-American (2015)
Big Ten Most Valuable Player (2015)
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
Big Ten Running Back of the Year (2015)
First-team All-Big Ten (2015)
James E. Sullivan Award (2014)

Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024

Rushing yards:	9,130
Rushing average:	4.3
Rushing touchdowns:	74
Receptions:	368
Receiving yards:	2,718
Receiving touchdowns:	14

Player stats at PFR

Ezekiel Elijah Elliott (born July 22, 1995), often called "Zeke", is an American professional football player. He plays as a running back. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 2015, he was named a second-team All-American.

The Dallas Cowboys picked Elliott fourth overall in the 2016 NFL draft. During his eight seasons in the NFL, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He was also named All-Pro twice. Elliott led the league in rushing yards in both the 2016 and 2018 seasons. After leaving the Cowboys in 2022, he played for the New England Patriots in 2023. He then rejoined the Cowboys in 2024.

Growing Up: Zeke's Early Life & Sports

Ezekiel Elliott was born in Alton, Illinois. His parents were both college athletes. His mom, Dawn Huff, was a state champion in three high school sports. She ran track at the University of Missouri. His dad, Stacy, played linebacker for the Missouri football team.

Elliott went to John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri. It was a school known for academics. But he was a star in three sports: football, basketball, and track and field. He also played baseball.

High School Football Success

Elliott played running back for the John Burroughs Bombers football team. In 2012, as a junior, he was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offensive player of the year. He ran for 1,802 yards and scored 34 touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes for 401 yards and six touchdowns.

In his senior year, Elliott gained 3,061 total yards and scored 50 touchdowns. This included 2,155 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns. He led his team to three championship games, but they lost all of them.

Track and Field Achievements

Elliott was also an amazing track and field athlete. He was a state qualifier in sprinting and hurdling. He won four state championships in Missouri in just two and a half hours! These events included the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 110-meter high hurdles, and 300-meter hurdles.

He was named the Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year for Missouri.

Choosing a College Team

Many people thought Elliott would go to the University of Missouri, where his parents went. However, he chose to sign with Ohio State University. Experts saw him as a top running back recruit in 2013.

College Football Career at Ohio State

Elliott in 2014

In 2013, Elliott was a true freshman at Ohio State University. He was a backup player and mostly played on special teams. He rushed for 262 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Becoming a Starter and National Champion

In 2014, Elliott became the main running back for the Buckeyes. He rushed for over 100 yards six times that season. In the Big Ten Championship Game, he ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns. This win helped Ohio State get into the first-ever College Football Playoff.

In the 2015 Sugar Bowl against #1 Alabama, Elliott rushed for 230 yards. He was named the Offensive Player of the Game. He even had an 85-yard touchdown run to help seal the win.

Elliott then helped the Buckeyes win the championship. He rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns against the Oregon Ducks. He was named the Offensive MVP of that game too.

Final College Season and Records

In 2015, Elliott started strong, rushing for over 100 yards in 10 straight wins. He ran for 274 yards against Indiana. After a tough loss to Michigan State, Elliott decided to enter the 2016 NFL draft.

The next week, he rushed for 214 yards against rival Michigan. He ended his college career with 149 yards and four touchdowns in a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.

Elliott finished his Ohio State career with many records. He was second in career rushing yards with 3,961. He also had the second and third most rushing yards in a single season. His 43 rushing touchdowns were the fourth most all-time for Ohio State.

College Awards and Recognition

Elliott received many awards at Ohio State. In 2014, he was the Offensive MVP of both the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

His success made him a top candidate for the 2015 Heisman Trophy. He finished eighth in the voting. After a great season with 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns, Elliott won several Big Ten awards. These included the 2015 Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year.

College Statistics Overview

Ohio State Buckeyes
Season	Games		Rushing				Receiving
Season	GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
2013	7	0	30	262	8.7	2	3	23	7.7	1
2014	15	15	273	1,878	6.9	18	28	220	7.9	0
2015	13	13	289	1,821	6.3	23	27	206	7.6	0
Total	35	28	595	3,961	6.7	43	58	449	7.7	1

Ezekiel Elliott's NFL Journey

Before the NFL draft, many experts thought Elliott was the best running back to join the league in years. They predicted he would be a top 10 pick. They said he had a "rare combination of size, athleticism, pass-catching and blocking skills."

Pre-draft measurables
Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand size	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Wonderlic
5 ft 11+3⁄4 in (1.82 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m)	10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m)	4.47 s	1.50 s	2.62 s	32.5 in (0.83 m)	9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)	32
All values from NFL Combine

First Stint with the Dallas Cowboys (2016–2022)

Rookie Year Success (2016)

Elliott in 2016

The Dallas Cowboys chose Elliott as the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He was the first running back picked that year. Many thought he would be a favorite for the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He signed a four-year contract worth $24.9 million.

Elliott became the Cowboys' starting running back. In his first game, he scored his first NFL touchdown. The next week, he had 83 yards and a touchdown. In Week 3, he rushed for 140 yards, his first 100-yard game.

Elliott in 2016

He continued to play well, rushing for over 100 yards in many games. By Week 9, he became only the second Cowboys rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. In Week 10, he had 209 total yards and three touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This included his first NFL receiving touchdown.

In Week 15, Elliott rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown. After scoring, he famously jumped into a giant Salvation Army Red Kettle. This celebration made headlines. The Cowboys secured the top spot in their conference, so Elliott rested for the last game.

Elliott finished his rookie year as the NFL's top rusher with 1,631 yards. This was the third most rushing yards ever by a rookie. He also scored 15 touchdowns. He was named a First-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In his first NFL playoff game, Elliott rushed for 125 yards. However, the Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers.

Overcoming Challenges (2017)

Elliott in 2017

The 2017 season was challenging for Elliott. The NFL suspended him for six games due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Elliott and the players' union fought the suspension in court for a long time. This caused him to miss some games.

Elliott in 2017

When he did play, he showed his talent. In Week 7, he rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 72-yard touchdown pass. Elliott eventually accepted the suspension and trained in Mexico. He returned in Week 16.

He finished the 2017 season with 983 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.

Leading the League Again (2018)

Elliott in action against the Redskins in 2018

Elliott started the 2018 season strong, scoring touchdowns in his first two games. In Week 4, he had 152 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards with a touchdown. He became the fastest Cowboy to reach 25 rushing touchdowns.

He had several games with over 150 rushing yards. In Week 11, he gained 201 total yards. He also reached 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career. Elliott finished the 2018 season with 1,434 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also had 77 catches for 567 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing yards for the second time. He earned his second Pro Bowl nomination.

The Cowboys won their division and made the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round, Elliott rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Seattle Seahawks. They lost in the next round to the Los Angeles Rams.

Continued Strong Play (2019)

Elliott at the 2020 Pro Bowl

In April 2019, the Cowboys extended Elliott's contract. He signed a six-year deal worth $90 million. In his first game back, he rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. He continued to have many 100-yard rushing games throughout the season.

In Week 14, he reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season again. He finished the 2019 season with 1,357 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 54 catches for 420 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Elliott earned his third Pro Bowl nomination.

Dealing with Injuries (2020–2022)

Elliott in 2020

In 2020, Elliott continued to be a key player for the Cowboys. He had several games with over 100 total yards and multiple touchdowns. He missed his first career game due to an injury in Week 15. He finished the season with 979 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

In 2021, Elliott played through knee and ankle injuries for most of the season. Despite this, he started all 17 games. He rushed for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. After the season, it was revealed he had been playing with a partially torn PCL (a knee ligament).

In 2022, Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. Many of his touchdowns were scored from close to the goal line. After the season, the Cowboys released him.

Time with the New England Patriots (2023)

On August 16, 2023, Elliott signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots. He was mainly used in specific situations, like on third downs and near the goal line. In Week 14, he had 140 total yards and a receiving touchdown against the Steelers.

Elliott finished the 2023 season with 642 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also had 51 catches for 313 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Return to the Dallas Cowboys (2024)

On April 30, 2024, Elliott signed a one-year contract to return to the Dallas Cowboys. In the first game of the 2024 season, he ran for 40 yards and scored a touchdown. In December 2024, Elliott and the Cowboys decided to part ways. He finished the 2024 season with 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Joining the Los Angeles Chargers (2025)

On January 6, 2025, Elliott signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.

Ezekiel Elliott's NFL Stats

Legend
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2016	DAL	15	15	322	1,631	5.1	60T	15	32	363	11.3	83T	1	5	1
2017	DAL	10	10	242	983	4.1	30	7	26	269	10.3	72T	2	1	1
2018	DAL	15	15	304	1,434	4.7	41	6	77	567	7.4	38T	3	6	1
2019	DAL	16	16	301	1,357	4.5	33T	12	54	420	7.8	27	2	3	2
2020	DAL	15	15	244	979	4.0	31	6	52	338	6.5	19	2	6	5
2021	DAL	17	17	237	1,002	4.2	47	10	47	287	6.1	21	2	1	1
2022	DAL	15	14	231	876	3.8	27	12	17	92	5.4	31	0	0	0
2023	NE	17	5	184	642	3.5	17	3	51	313	6.1	23	2	2	1
2024	DAL	15	2	74	226	3.1	11	3	12	69	5.8	15	0	1	1
Career		135	109	2,139	9,130	4.3	60	74	368	2,718	7.4	83	14	25	13

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2016	DAL	1	1	22	125	5.7	22	0	1	−2	−2.0	−2	0	0	0
2018	DAL	2	2	46	184	4.0	44	2	6	51	8.5	12	0	0	0
2021	DAL	1	1	12	31	2.6	9	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2022	DAL	2	2	23	53	2.3	9	0	3	16	5.3	9	0	0	0
Career		6	6	103	393	3.8	44	2	11	65	5.9	12	0	0	0