Xazavian Valladay is an American professional football running back who played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys and Arizona State Sun Devils before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Valladay has built a reputation as a durable and productive running back, accumulating over 4,400 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns across his collegiate career. He has spent time with multiple NFL franchises, including the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and most recently the Minnesota Vikings. Valladay continues to pursue his NFL ambitions while maintaining strong roots in his hometown of Matteson, Illinois.
Xazavian Valladay Bio
Xazavian Valladay was born on July 3, 1999, in Matteson, Illinois. He attended Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he established himself as a promising football player. Valladay helped his high school team achieve a 9-3 record and reach the 2016 Illinois Class 8A State Playoffs as the number eight seed. After high school, he committed to play college football at the University of Wyoming, where he would develop into one of the Mountain West Conferences most productive running backs. Following an impressive four-year career with the Cowboys, Valladay transferred to Arizona State University for his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Early Life and Background
Valladay grew up in Matteson, Illinois, a suburb located south of Chicago. His early exposure to football came through his participation at Brother Rice High School, a well-known football program in the Chicago area. During his senior year in 2016, Valladay played a key role in leading his team to the state playoffs, demonstrating the talent and work ethic that would characterize his future career. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from multiple college programs, ultimately leading him to choose Wyoming as his collegiate destination.
Path to American Football
After receiving interest from several schools, Valladay made the decision to continue his football career at the University of Wyoming. The transition from Illinois to Wyoming represented a significant change, as he would be playing at altitude and competing in the Mountain West Conference against some of the top programs in the country. Valladay arrived in Laramie ready to contribute and eventually earned the starting running back role through his performances in practice and early season games.
Xazavian Valladay Career
College Career
Valladay began his college career at the University of Wyoming in 2017, but his breakthrough came during the 2018 season. In the season finale that year, he rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns against New Mexico, helping the Cowboys become bowl eligible. He finished his freshman season with 396 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries. Valladay truly announced his arrival during the 2019 Arizona Bowl, where he delivered a spectacular performance with 204 rushing yards and a touchdown while also catching three passes for 91 yards and another score. He was named the Offensive MVP of the game as Wyoming defeated Georgia State.
The 2019 season marked Valladays breakout year, as he accumulated 1,265 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries while adding 11 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns through the air. His exceptional performance earned him First-team All-Mountain West honors. The shortened 2020 season saw Valladay rush for 550 yards and four touchdowns on 99 carries despite a reduced schedule, and he earned First-team All-Mountain West recognition for the second consecutive year. In 2021, he continued his strong play with 1,063 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries, earning Second-team All-Mountain West honors. After the 2021 season, Valladay entered the NCAA transfer portal seeking a new opportunity.
Valladay transferred to Arizona State University for his final season of collegiate eligibility. He made an immediate impact in his debut with the Sun Devils, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Northern Arizona. He maintained his high level of play throughout the 2022 season, finishing with 1,192 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries. His versatility shone through as he also caught 37 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Valladay earned Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition for his outstanding season. He completed his collegiate career with 4,466 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 841 carries, along with 88 receptions for 873 yards and four touchdowns.
Professional Career
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Valladay signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. He was released by the Texans on August 13, 2023. On August 15, 2023, Valladay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released by the Steelers on August 29 during final roster cuts. Valladay signed with the New York Jets practice squad on August 30, 2023, and was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024. On August 27, 2024, Valladay was waived by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on September 11, 2024.
Valladay signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad on November 6, 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract with New Orleans on January 6, 2025. Valladay was waived by the Saints on June 20, 2025. On August 19, 2025, Valladay signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts before being signed to the practice squad the following day. Valladay was released from the Vikings practice squad on September 23, 2025.
Xazavian Valladay Career Highlights
Valladay has established himself as a productive collegiate running back with over 4,400 career rushing yards and 39 total touchdowns across his time at Wyoming and Arizona State. His consistent performance at both programs demonstrates his ability to adapt and succeed in different offensive systems. Valladay earned All-Conference recognition in both the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences, highlighting his competitiveness against varied opposition.
College Accolades
Valladay earned First-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2019 and 2020, establishing himself as one of the premier running backs in the conference. He followed those accolades with Second-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2021 and Second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2022. His 2019 season stands out as his most productive, as he rushed for 1,265 yards and was named the Arizona Bowl Offensive MVP after his 204-yard performance against Georgia State.
Xazavian Valladay Personal Life
Family Background
Valladay was born and raised in Matteson, Illinois. His journey from the Chicago suburbs through the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences has shaped his development as both a player and a person. Valladay attended Brother Rice High School, a program with a strong football tradition in the Chicago area.
Personal Life
Valladay maintains strong connections to his hometown of Matteson, Illinois. He has remained active on social media, connecting with fans throughout his collegiate and professional career. His Twitter handle reflects his confidence, projecting the self-assured persona that has characterized his approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another chapter in Valladays NFL journey as he joined the Minnesota Vikings organization during the offseason. He signed with the Vikings on August 19, 2025, competing for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. The Vikings coaching staff valued his special teams abilities and his reliability as a ball carrier. Valladay was waived on August 26 during final roster cuts but was signed to the practice squad the following day. He was released from the practice squad on September 23, concluding his tenure with the Vikings for the 2025 season. Throughout his time with the organization, Valladay demonstrated the same work ethic and versatility that characterized his collegiate career at Wyoming and Arizona State.