University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Kenneth Gainwell drafted by Philadelphia Eagles
May 01, 2021 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Former Memphis Tigers All-America running back Kenneth Gainwell has been drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gainwell's selection marks the fourth time in the past three NFL drafts Memphis has had a running back selected. It is also the eighth-straight season overall the Tigers have had a player drafted. Gainwell joins former Tigers kicker Jake Elliott and former Memphis defensive end Genard Avery on the Eagles roster.
Gainwell led all FBS freshmen in 2019 with 2,069 all-purpose yards — 1,459 rushing and 610 receiving. He was the only FBS player that season to rush for more than 1,000 yards and have more than 500 receiving yards.
The Yazoo City, Miss., native had 16 total touchdowns as a freshman with 13 rushing and three receiving. He was named the 2019 Football Writers Association of America's Freshman Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Memphis history to receive the honor. He was also the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and a unanimous first-team all-conference selection.
Gainwell set a Memphis freshman record with six consecutive games of at least 100 yards rushing, a record previously held by DeAngelo Williams. He is just the third player in program history to surpass 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season, joining Williams, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL, and current Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson.
Against Tulane on Oct. 18, 2019, Gainwell set a program record by a running back with 203 receiving yards. The receiving yards rank third all-time in a single game at Memphis behind only the top two performances by current NFL wide receiver Anthony Miller.
Prior to the 2020 season, Gainwell made the watch list for the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award and was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Team. He opted out of the 2020 season in August due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gainwell's selection marks the fourth time in the past three NFL drafts Memphis has had a running back selected. It is also the eighth-straight season overall the Tigers have had a player drafted. Gainwell joins former Tigers kicker Jake Elliott and former Memphis defensive end Genard Avery on the Eagles roster.
Gainwell led all FBS freshmen in 2019 with 2,069 all-purpose yards — 1,459 rushing and 610 receiving. He was the only FBS player that season to rush for more than 1,000 yards and have more than 500 receiving yards.
The Yazoo City, Miss., native had 16 total touchdowns as a freshman with 13 rushing and three receiving. He was named the 2019 Football Writers Association of America's Freshman Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Memphis history to receive the honor. He was also the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and a unanimous first-team all-conference selection.
Gainwell set a Memphis freshman record with six consecutive games of at least 100 yards rushing, a record previously held by DeAngelo Williams. He is just the third player in program history to surpass 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season, joining Williams, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL, and current Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson.
Against Tulane on Oct. 18, 2019, Gainwell set a program record by a running back with 203 receiving yards. The receiving yards rank third all-time in a single game at Memphis behind only the top two performances by current NFL wide receiver Anthony Miller.
Prior to the 2020 season, Gainwell made the watch list for the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award and was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Team. He opted out of the 2020 season in August due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
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