Former ASU RB Xazavian Valladay signs with Steelers

After being surprisingly waived by the Texans last week, rookie running back and former Sun Devil, Xazavian Valladay, signed with the Steelers today.

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We have signed RB Xazavian Valladay and waived RB John Lovett. @BordasLaw https://t.co/k7cR54yP4r

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2023

 

After going unselected in this year’s draft, Valladay signed with the Texans for $175k with guarantees, a pretty big number for a rookie. Then just two days ago, the team cut him. He signed a new deal with the Steelers today, as he cleared waivers.

The #Steelers are signing RB Xazavian Valladay, according to his agent @jtoosonlaw. Valladay was waived by the #Texans and cleared because teams would’ve had to take on the $175k in guarantees Houston gave him as an undrafted free agent. He’ll sign a new deal with Pittsburgh.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 15, 2023

Steelers new RB Xazavian Valladay pic.twitter.com/ySfNeuYGRO

— Noah Strackbein (@NoahStrackbein) August 15, 2023

In his lone season at ASU, Valladay led the Pac-12 in rushing touchdowns with 16 and was first on the Sun Devils in all-purpose yards with 1,481. He came to ASU after four seasons with Wyoming where he became the active FBS leader in rushing yards. 

Valladay finished his five-year collegiate career with 4,446 total rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. He also had a 929 receiving yards and caught four touchdowns in his career.

The sixth-year senior, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, was projected to be a late-round pick or fall out of the draft completely. NFL Mock Draft Database had Valladay’s consensus ranking at 313 overall. He was arguably one of the biggest snubs from the NFL Combine and participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he led the West with 13 carries for 76 yards.

ASU RB Xazavian Valladay signs with Texans as UDFA

Now, he gets a chance to establish himself with the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s top two running backs are Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, so Valladay will battle it out for a position over the next few weeks of training camp and the preseason.

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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau