Tyrone Tracy Jr. (born November 23, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Purdue Boilermakers.

Tyrone Tracy Jr.
refer to caption
Tracy at Iowa in 2019
No. 29 – New York Giants
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1999-11-23) November 23, 1999 (age 25)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Decatur Central (Indianapolis, Indiana)
College:Iowa (2018–2021)
Purdue (2022–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 5 / pick: 166
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2024
Rushing yards:545
Rushing average:5.1
Rushing touchdowns:3
Receptions:18
Receiving yards:117
Return yards:61
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Tracy attended high school at Decatur Central in Indianapolis. In his senior season, he rushed for 1,412 yards and 13 touchdowns while also catching 54 passes for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns.[1] Coming out of high school, Tracy was rated as a three-star recruit where he decided to commit to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.[2][3]

College career

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Iowa

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During the 2019 season, Tracy notched 36 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding one on the ground.[4] During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Tracy hauled in 14 receptions for 154 yards, and a touchdown.[5] In the 2021 season, Tracy notched 15 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.[6] After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Tracy decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.[7][8]

Purdue

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Tracy decided to transfer to play for the Purdue Boilermakers.[9][10] In the 2022 season, Tracy rushed 17 times for 138 yards while also adding 28 receptions for 198 yards.[11] Heading into the 2023 season, Tracy decided to transition from a wide receiver to play running back for Purdue.[12] In week five of the 2023 season, Tracy rushed 21 times for 112 yards and a touchdown in a win against Illinois.[13] In the 2023 season, Tracy would rush for 716 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 carries, while also making 19 catches for 132 yards.[14] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Tracy decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[15]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+18 in
(1.81 m)
209 lb
(95 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.48 s 1.53 s 2.62 s 4.06 s 6.81 s 40.0 in
(1.02 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17]

Tracy was drafted by the New York Giants in the 5th round (166th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.[18] In Week 5 of the 2024 season against the Seattle Seahawks Tracy got his first start due to Devin Singletary being injured. Tracy had 18 carries for 129 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per carry.[19]

When Singletary returned from his injury in Week 7, he and Tracy split backfield work relatively evenly, toting 5 and 6 carries each, respectively; Singletary also logged 1 reception on 1 target, whereas Tracy caught 3 of 3.[20][21] From Week 8, however, Tracy had impressed the coaching staff – including head coach Brian Daboll[22] – enough to become the starter[23] and clear bell-cow back,[24] logging 20 carries, whereas Singletary ran the ball only twice, despite being fully healthy. This pattern continued through at least the team's bye in Week 11.[20][21]

In their game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10, Tracy lost a crucial fumble in overtime that allowed the Panthers to kick the game winning field goal.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Horner, Scott (February 26, 2024). "2024 NFL Draft profile: Purdue football and Decatur Central running back Tyrone Tracy Jr". IndyStar. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Morehouse, Marc (April 29, 2017). "Indianapolis wide receiver commits to Iowa". The Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (May 1, 2017). "Recruiting notes: Tracy commits to Big Ten program". IndyStar. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Purdue football RB Tyrone Tracy chases NFL dream starting at Hula Bowl". IndyStar. January 11, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Peterson, Chloe (December 7, 2021). "Iowa football wide receiver Tyrone Tracy Jr. enters transfer portal". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Steppe, John (December 7, 2021). "Iowa wide receiver Tyrone Tracy Jr. enters transfer portal". The Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Batterson, Steve (December 7, 2021). "Hawkeyes' Tracy enters transfer portal". Quad City-Times. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Howe, Rob (December 7, 2021). "Tyrone Tracy Jr. Enters Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Steppe, John (August 1, 2022). "Ex-Iowa wide receivers Charlie Jones, Tyrone Tracy Jr. seek opportunity to 'showcase' skills in pass-heavy Purdue offense". The Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Peterson, Chloe (December 15, 2021). "Former Iowa wide receiver Tyrone Tracy Jr. commits to Purdue". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac. "Purdue's Tyrone Tracy Jr. scores 98-yard kickoff return touchdown for Boilermakers". The Journal & Courier. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  12. ^ King, Sam (March 31, 2023). "Purdue football's versatile Tyrone Tracy moves to running back". Journal & Courier. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Johnson, Jeff. "At Purdue, a new position for former Hawkeye Tyrone Tracy Jr". The Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Tyrone Tracy Jr. 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  15. ^ Studdard, Deja (December 17, 2023). "Purdue football player, Tyrone Tracy Jr., declares 2024 NFL Draft". Fox59. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Tyrone Tracy Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Tyrone Tracy Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  18. ^ Traina, Patricia (May 5, 2024). "Bowled Over! Giants RB Tyrone Tracy, Jr on His Position Switch, His Family's Love of Bowling and More". SI.com. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Elsen, Michael (October 7, 2024). "Notes & Stats: Daniel Jones leads short-handed Giants". Giants.com.
  20. ^ a b "Tyrone Tracy". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Devin Singletary". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Patra, Kevin (October 8, 2024). "Giants HC Brian Daboll on RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s breakout game vs. Seahawks: 'That's what we expect'". nfl.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  23. ^ Obermuller, Michael (October 14, 2024). "Giants Beat Reporter Says NYG Prospect May Have Unseated Starter". heavy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Miller, Natalie (October 29, 2024). "Rookie surprise Tyrone Tracy Jr. dominates as lead back for the New York Giants". draftwire.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  25. ^ 3 takeaways from Giants-Panthers game in Germany as Eddy Pineiro wins it in OT, NBC New York, November 10, 2024
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