New Mexico’s phone didn’t ring once in the 2016 NFL Draft this past weekend.
However, for senior running back Jhurrell Pressley, the dream of joining the National Football League has not yet come to a close.
The sociology major out of Deleware will head north for a chance to compete for a spot as a free agent, after signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Pressley has proven to be explosive out of the backfield. The five-foot-ten-inch 200-plus pound back ranks seventh all time in program history with 2,725 rushing yards, and his 35 rushing touchdowns are the second most in UNM history. All this despite averaging less than eight carries per contest in the 50 games he appeared at UNM.
Perhaps even more impressive than his marks among the UNM record books is Pressley’s average yard per carry. When the back’s number was called, he averaged 6.9 yards per carry.
The Vikings’ depth chart currently only consists of three backs, with Adrian Peterson still leading the charge. Minnesota also has veteran Matt Asiata as well as newcomer Jerick McKinnon listed behind Peterson on the depth chart.
The UNM release did not specify how much the signing is worth, but the former Lobo will join Glover Quin, Dillon Farrell and SaQwan Edwards, who all played in the NFL last season.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
