Coast to Coast

LU alum Jennings an Oakland Raider

Rashad Jennings is an Oakland Raider.

Of course, the announcement was heard first on Twitter. On April 10, Jennings tweeted, “It’s official! I’ll be rocking that Black and Silver this yr. #Raidernation, let’s go make it happen!”
And just like that, the fifth-year running back whose career was launched from Williams Stadium is on his way to the West Coast.

Jennings’ role in Oakland will most likely be similar to what it was in Jacksonville. He will back up injury-prone starter Darren McFadden. McFadden, who has flashed big-play ability in his first five seasons in the league with the Raiders, has not stayed healthy for long enough to establish himself as an elite running back. In the last five years, McFadden has compiled 3,334 yards rushing, 1,449 yards receiving and 18 total touchdowns in 47 appearances, including 34 starts.

McFadden reached a peak in 2010, when he started 13 games — amassing 1,157 yards on a 5.2 carry average. He added more than 500 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns, but McFadden’s injury woes have limited his production the last two years — which is where Jennings figures in.

Jennings’ best season was also in 2010. When subbing for the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew, he piled up 459 yards with a 5.5 yards per carry average. The Raiders hope that Jennings can complement McFadden the same way he did Jones-Drew.