Tony Randall Pollard Bio
Tony Randall Pollard is an American professional football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Pollard has built a reputation as an explosive dual-threat back known for his versatility as both a rusher and receiver, as well as his exceptional special teams ability as a kick returner. After five seasons with the Cowboys, he signed with the Titans in 2024 and was named their starting running back.
Early Life and Background
Tony Randall Pollard was born on April 30, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Melrose High School in Memphis, where he played high school football as a two-way starter at wide receiver and cornerback during his senior year. Pollard helped lead his team to the playoffs while amassing over 1,200 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, earning All-District 16-AAA honors. His exceptional athleticism and playmaking ability were evident from his high school career, setting the foundation for his future as a professional athlete.
After high school, Pollard accepted a football scholarship from the University of Memphis, where he would go on to become one of the most dynamic players in the program’s history. His versatility and talent were apparent early in his collegiate career, and he quickly established himself as a threat on both offense and special teams.
Path to Professional Football
Pollard redshirted his freshman year at Memphis before becoming a key contributor starting in 2016. His exceptional kickoff return ability immediately stood out, as he finished among the national leaders with a 28.1-yard kickoff return average and two returns for touchdowns. His standout performance earned him the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year award. Throughout his college career, Pollard continued to develop as both a running back and receiver, showcasing the dual-threat capabilities that would define his professional career.
By his sophomore year in 2017, Pollard emerged as a dominant force. He posted impressive receiving numbers with 36 receptions for 536 yards and six touchdowns, while also demonstrating his rushing ability with 230 yards on the ground. Most remarkably, he led the nation with a school-record 40-yard average per kickoff return, taking 22 returns for 881 yards and four touchdowns. His exceptional season earned him a spot as a Consensus All-American and his second consecutive AAC Special Teams Player of the Year award.
In his junior year, Pollard shared the backfield with future NFL running back Darrell Henderson but still managed to accumulate 78 carries for 552 yards, 39 receptions for 458 yards, and ten touchdowns. He capped his college career with a historic performance in the 2018 Birmingham Bowl against Wake Forest, recording 318 all-purpose yards. Pollard finished his Memphis career considered one of the best kickoff return specialists in college football history, tying an FBS record with seven career kick-return touchdowns. On January 11, 2019, he declared for the NFL draft.
Tony Randall Pollard Career
Dallas Cowboys (2019-2023)
Pollard was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round with the 128th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut during the season-opening 35-17 victory over the New York Giants, recording 13 carries for 24 yards. Two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins, he posted his first career 100-yard game with 13 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown in the 31-6 victory. During Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, Pollard finished with 12 carries for 131 yards and a 44-yard touchdown in the 44-21 win. He completed his rookie season with 86 carries for 455 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown in 15 games.
In the 2020 season, Pollard continued his role as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott while also handling kickoff return duties. During Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded 132 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns in the 41-33 victory. Pollard finished his second professional season with 101 carries for 435 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 28 receptions for 193 yards and a touchdown in 16 games with two starts.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021-2022)
The 2021 season saw Pollard take on an expanded role in the offense. During Week 5 against the Rams, he had a 57-yard rushing touchdown. Three weeks later against the Chicago Bears, Pollard had 13 carries for 141 yards and three touchdowns in the 49-29 victory and was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week. His performance earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 11 when he had 80 rushing yards and six receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-3 road victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He finished the 2021 season with 130 carries for 719 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 39 receptions for 337 yards in 15 games.
Pollard had his best professional season in 2022. He finished the season with 193 carries for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 39 receptions for 371 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games with four starts. His first 1,000-yard rushing season earned him Pro Bowl honors. However, his season was cut short in the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers when he suffered a high ankle sprain and fractured fibula in the second quarter. He was carted off the field and later underwent surgery to repair the injury.
In 2023, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard before the season. He scored two touchdowns in a Week 1 victory over the New York Giants. In Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, he had 23 carries for 122 yards. Overall in the 2023 season, Pollard had 252 carries for 1,005 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go with 55 receptions for 311 receiving yards.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024-Present)
Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the Tennessee Titans on March 14, 2024, and was immediately named the starting running back for the 2024 season. He had 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in his Titans debut during the season-opening 24-17 road loss to the Chicago Bears. In a 24-17 Week 2 loss against the New York Jets, he had 17 carries for 62 yards and five receptions for 40 yards. Pollard appeared and started in 16 games, although he missed snaps later in the season due to an ankle injury. He finished with 260 carries for a career-high 1,079 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 41 receptions for 238 yards.
Running Style and Strengths
Pollard is known for his exceptional speed, elusiveness, and ability to make defenders miss in the open field. His experience as a receiver in college translated well to the NFL, where he has proven to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield. His vision and cutback ability allow him to maximize yards after contact, while his speed makes him a threat to break long runs at any moment. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver has made him a valuable asset in various offensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pollard achieved his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2022 with the Cowboys, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His 2022 Divisional Round injury against the 49ers was a significant moment, as it ended his breakthrough season on a somber note. In 2025, he continued his strong production with the Titans, including a 25-carry, 161-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 14 that demonstrated his continued elite-level play.
Tony Randall Pollard Career Statistics
Pollard has established himself as one of the more productive running backs in the NFL over his career. His career statistics reflect his dual-threat ability both as a rusher and receiver.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Pollard has accumulated 5,782 career rushing yards with a 4.6-yard average. He has recorded 250 career receptions for 1,763 receiving yards, showcasing his reliability as a pass-catcher. His career totals include 1,500 return yards and 39 total touchdowns across his time with the Cowboys and Titans. His most productive rushing season came in 2024 with the Titans when he recorded 1,079 yards, while his best touchdown season was 2022 with nine rushing scores.
College Career Summary
Pollard finished his Memphis career with remarkable special teams numbers, tying an FBS record with seven career kick-return touchdowns. He ranks second in school history with 2,616 kickoff return yards and holds the school record with a 30.1-yard kick-return average. His 4,680 career all-purpose yards rank second in school history. He was a two-time AAC Special Teams Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American in 2017.
| Competition | Rushing Yards | Receptions | Total Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 5,782 | 250 | 39 |
Family and Personal Life
Family Background
Tony Randall Pollard was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Information about his immediate family members remains private and is not extensively documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Pollard continues to be active in the Memphis community and maintains connections to his college roots. He is focused on his professional career with the Titans as he enters the prime of his NFL career. His work ethic and versatility have been noted by coaches and teammates throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Pollard continue his consistent production as the starting running back for the Tennessee Titans. Despite changes in the team’s offensive scheme and personnel, he remained a focal point of the ground game. His 242 carries for 1,082 yards and five touchdowns demonstrated his ability to shoulder a significant workload while remaining productive throughout the season. His 33 receptions for 206 yards kept him involved in the passing game as well.
Pollard’s Week 14 performance against the Miami Dolphins was particularly notable, as he recorded 25 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-29 victory. This game exemplified his ability to take over contests with his physical running and big-play potential. The Titans’ offense relied heavily on his production as they navigated the competitive AFC landscape.
The future looks promising for Pollard as he enters the later years of his contract with the Titans. His durability, versatility, and consistent production make him a valuable building block for the franchise. His partnership with the Titans’ coaching staff continues to develop as they look to maximize his skills and build around his strengths as a dual-threat running back.