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| Maurice 'Little Diesel' Jones-Drew? | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maurice "Little Diesel" Jones-Drew? |
| Birth date | 23 January 1985 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 208 lb (94 kg) |
| College | UCLA |
| Position | Running back |
| Draft | 2006 NFL Draft, Round 2, Pick 60 |
| Highlights | Pro Bowl (2009), NFL rushing leader (2011) |
Maurice 'Little Diesel' Jones-Drew? (born January 23, 1985) is a former American professional NFL running back known for a compact, powerful running style and prolific production with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A standout at the UCLA and a second-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, he earned Pro Bowl honors and led the league in rushing while helping define the Jaguars' offense in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Jones-Drew was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in the South Central area, attending Cleveland High School where he excelled in football and track. In high school he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers under local coaches and competed against regional programs such as Valley View and Long Beach Polytechnic High School, attracting attention from collegiate recruiters including UCLA, USC, California Golden Bears and Oregon Ducks. His prep accolades placed him among notable Southern California alumni who reached the NFL Draft and later professional rosters like the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders.
At UCLA, Jones-Drew played under head coach Karl Dorrell and offensive coaches who worked within the Pac-10 framework alongside programs such as the USC Trojans, Stanford Cardinal and Arizona State. He posted significant rushing totals, sharing backfield duties in schemes influenced by predecessors at the Rose Bowl matchups and competing against defenses from the Oregon State Beavers and Washington Huskies. His collegiate production and performances against rivals in the Pac-10 elevated his draft stock prior to the 2006 NFL Draft, drawing comparisons to NFL backs and alumni from programs like Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes.
Selected in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones-Drew joined an organization led by head coaches including Jack Del Rio and later Mike Mularkey, contributing in backfields that featured teammates who had played for franchises such as the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. He initially split carries before emerging as the Jaguars' primary ball carrier, compiling rushing yards against AFC South rivals like the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. In 2009 he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and in 2011 he led the NFL in rushing yards, surpassing leaders from teams including the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. His career included notable games at venues such as EverBank Field and matchups on primetime stages like Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football. After injuries and contract negotiations involving front office personnel and salary-cap considerations, he retired from playing and later engaged in media roles connected to outlets that cover the NFL Network, ESPN, and regional sports networks.
Jones-Drew's running style combined a low center of gravity, explosive pads, and power that drew comparisons to smaller yet prolific backs who starred for teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. Observers from sports media outlets, including analysts from Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, and commentators on ESPN, dubbed him with the nickname "Little Diesel" for his compact frame and high-effort running, drawing cultural parallels to nicknames used in NFL history like those given to Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Jim Brown. Coaches praised his pass protection and receiving out of the backfield, situating him alongside versatile backs from franchises such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
Over his NFL tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones-Drew accumulated league-leading totals, including a season where he led the NFL in rushing yards and multiple 1,000-yard campaigns comparable to seasons by backs for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. His per-carry averages, touchdown totals, and reception numbers placed him among contemporaries from teams like the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, and his performance against divisional opponents factored into franchise record lists maintained by the Jacksonville Jaguars organization. Statistical compendia from sources that track NFL history list him within single-season and career leaderboards alongside players from the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.
Following retirement, Jones-Drew pursued broadcasting and analysis work with sports media outlets including ESPN, NFL Network, and local radio affiliates, joining a cohort of former players who transitioned to media careers like Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, and Cris Collinsworth. He has participated in community and charitable initiatives in Jacksonville, Florida and Los Angeles, collaborating with organizations that engage former athletes and civic programs tied to teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and events like Salute to Service. His interests outside of football include advocacy and entrepreneurial endeavors, aligning with offseason investments and business activities similar to those pursued by former NFL players associated with the National Football League Players Association.
Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players Category:UCLA Bruins football players Category:American football running backs