Jennings, former LU running back, fairs well at NFL Combine

Rashad Jennings began his quest to play professional football at the highest level last week, as the former Flames running back showcased his abilities at the annual NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The scouting combine serves as a “job fair” for prospective NFL players. Over a six-day period, players are put through a series of drills, tests and interviews before more than 600 NFL personnel, which includes head coaches, general managers and player talent scouts.

Competing against 32 of the nation’s best collegiate rushers, Jennings stood out as a top performer in various combine drills, such as the bench press, broad jump, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and the 60-yard shuttle. In the bench press, Liberty’s leading rusher ranked second among all participating running backs, putting up 29 repetitions. Jennings also posted an impressive time in the 60-yard shuttle, clocking in at 11.46 seconds. The showing ranked him second among running backs, finishing behind University of Connecticut’s Donald Brown.

“We are all very excited about Rashad Jennings and his potential NFL opportunities,” Liberty Head Coach Danny Rocco told libertyflames.com. “Rashad has demonstrated a very high level of commitment when it comes to his out-of-season preparation.”

Jennings helped the Flames to a 10-2 finish as a senior in 2008, paving the way for Liberty University’s second straight Big South title with an unblemished 5-0 record in league action. The Flames finished the year ranked No. 14, marking the highest final national ranking in program history.

The Forest, Va., native finished this past season rushing for a program and Big South record of 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. He ranked No. 5 nationally in rushing yards per game (136.36), No. 6 in scoring (10.36 points per game) and No. 16 in average all-purpose yards per game (153.64). A two-time Big South Offensive Player of the Year, he was a consensus first-team All-American and finished eighth in the final voting for last year’s Walter Payton Award.

During his career, Jennings rushed for 3,633 yards, which ranks second-best in program history, while setting a new program and Big South standard with 42 career rushing touchdowns. His 278 career points scored is the best ever by a Liberty athlete and the second best by a non-kicking player in conference history.