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Sony Michel

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Sony Michel
refer to caption
Michel with Georgia in 2018
No. 26, 25, 28, 20, 24
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1995-02-17) February 17, 1995 (age 29)
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Heritage (Plantation, Florida)
College:Georgia (2014–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / round: 1 / pick: 31
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:3,243
Rushing average:4.2
Rushing touchdowns:18
Receptions:56
Receiving yards:439
Receiving touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Sony Michel (born February 17, 1995) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.[1] During his first three seasons with the Patriots, he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII. Michel spent his next season with Los Angeles Rams in 2021, winning Super Bowl LVI, and his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Early life

[edit]

Michel's parents emigrated from Haiti.[2] Michel attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida.[3] Michel was the starting running back for the American Heritage Patriots, beginning in his eighth-grade year there.[4] As a senior, he rushed for 1,833 yards and 24 touchdowns. Over three years playing on varsity, he rushed for 4,758 yards and 63 touchdowns. He was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the third-best running back and 13th-best player overall.[5] Michel committed to the University of Georgia on April 26, 2013, to play college football.[6][7]

Michel also competed in track and field at American Heritage; as a sophomore in 2011, he earned first-place finishes in both the 100-meter dash (10.99s) and 200-meter dash (21.91s) at the FHSAA 2A District Meet.[8] He posted a personal-best time of 10.64w in the 100-meter dash at the 3rd Annual Miramar Invitational, where he placed first.[9]

College career

[edit]

As a true freshman at Georgia in 2014, Michel played in eight games and made one start. He missed five games due to a fractured shoulder blade.[10] He rushed for 410 yards on 64 carries with five rushing touchdowns.[11] Michel entered 2015 as a backup to Nick Chubb, but earned extensive playing time.[12][13] After Chubb was injured in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers, Michel took over as the starter and ran for 145 yards.[14] In the 2016 season, Michel totaled 840 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 22 receptions for 149 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.[15]

In 2017, with true freshman Jake Fromm starting at quarterback for the Bulldogs, the team relied heavily on its senior running backs, Chubb and Michel, to carry the load. Despite remaining second in the depth chart behind Chubb, and receiving only two-thirds as many carries as Chubb, Michel had a breakout year, finishing with 1,227 rushing yards (156 carries), only 118 yards fewer than Chubb's 1,345 (223 carries). In a blowout game against Vanderbilt on October 7, Michel rushed for 150 yards and a score on only 12 carries.[16] Three weeks later, in an October 28 rout of Florida, Michel rushed for 137 yards on only 6 carries, scoring twice on runs of 74 yards and 45 yards.[17]

Michel's biggest game of the year came on New Year's Day against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, Georgia's first-ever College Football Playoff game. Carrying the ball only 11 times, Michel ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns, including a walk-off 27-yard rushing touchdown from the "Wild Dawg" formation (direct snap to Michel) to end the game in double overtime.[18] He also added four receptions for 41 yards and a fourth touchdown. For his performance, Michel was named Rose Bowl Offensive MVP.[19]

Chubb and Michel's 326 combined rushing yards in the Rose Bowl gave them a combined 8,259 career rushing yards, surpassing Eric Dickerson and Craig James' NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record of 8,192.[20]

College statistics

[edit]
Season Team GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2014 Georgia 8 64 410 6.4 75 5 7 106 15.1 33 1
2015 Georgia 13 219 1,136 5.3 66 8 26 270 10.4 48 3
2016 Georgia 12 152 840 5.5 42 4 22 149 6.8 33 1
2017 Georgia 14 156 1,227 7.9 55 16 9 96 10.7 11 1
Career 47 590 3,613 6.1 75 33 64 621 9.7 48 6

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Bench press
5 ft 10+5⁄8 in
(1.79 m) 		214 lb
(97 kg) 		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.54 s 1.56 s 2.62 s 4.21 s 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine[21][22]

New England Patriots

[edit]

2018 season

[edit]
See also: 2018 New England Patriots season

Michel was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft with the 31st overall pick.[23] He was the third running back to be selected that year.[24] In addition, he was the third of six Georgia Bulldogs to be selected that year.[25] Michel and Isaiah Wynn were the first pair of college teammates selected by the same team in the first round since Auburn players Jason Campbell and Carlos Rogers were taken in the 2005 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.[26]

Michel suffered a knee injury in training camp causing him to miss the entire preseason and the season-opener against the Houston Texans.[27] He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He rushed 10 times for 34 yards and had a six-yard reception in the 31–20 road loss.[28] Two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins, he had a breakout game with 26 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in the 38–7 victory.[29] Michel became the first rookie to top 100 rushing yards in a game for the Patriots since Brandon Bolden in 2012.[30] In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts, Michel rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots won 38–24.[31] In the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow 43–40 victory on Sunday Night Football.[32] In the process, Michel became the first New England rookie to score on the ground twice in a game since Laurence Maroney in 2006.[33] During a Week 12 27–13 road victory over the New York Jets, he ran for a career-high 133 yards and a touchdown, the most rushing yards by a Patriot rookie since Brandon Bolden ran for 137 yards in 2012.[34] This game was his third time breaking the century mark, making him the first Patriots rookie since Robert Edwards did so in 1998.[35] In a Week 16 victory against the Buffalo Bills, Michel had 18 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.[36]

Michel finished his rookie year with 931 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with seven receptions for 50 yards.[37] The Patriots finished atop the AFC East with an 11–5 record and earned the No. 2 seed for the American Football Conference (AFC) Playoffs, including a first-round bye.[38] In the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Chargers, Michel had 24 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns in a 41–28 victory.[39] During the AFC Championship against the Chiefs, he ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the 37–31 overtime road victory.[40] Michel broke the NFL record for most playoff rushing touchdowns for a rookie, scoring five between the divisional and conference championship games.[41] On February 3, 2019, he scored the only touchdown of Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, carrying 18 times for a game-leading 94 yards. The go-ahead touchdown occurred in the middle of the fourth quarter in the 13–3 victory. Michel was the leading rusher in the game[42] and extended his rookie postseason rushing record to six touchdowns in three games; he scored six touchdowns in 13 regular-season games.[43] Only Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis has rushed for more touchdowns in a single postseason than Michel; Davis scored eight touchdowns in four games in the 1997 postseason.[44] Michel is the first player since Davis with more than four rushing touchdowns in one postseason.[45]

2019 season

[edit]
See also: 2019 New England Patriots season
Michel in a game against the Washington Redskins
Michel alongside Tom Brady in the AFC wild card game against the Tennessee Titans

During Week 2 against the Dolphins, Michel rushed 21 times for 83 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season in the 43–0 shutout road victory.[46] Three weeks later against the Washington Redskins, he rushed 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 32 yards in the 33–7 road victory.[47] Two weeks later against the Jets, Michel rushed 19 times for 42 yards and three touchdowns in the 33–0 shutout road victory.[48]

Overall, Michel finished the 2019 season with 247 carries for 912 rushing yards and seven touchdowns along with 12 receptions for 94 yards.[49]

2020 season

[edit]
See also: 2020 New England Patriots season

Michel was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp on August 2, 2020.[50] He was activated from the list on August 26.[51] In Week 3, Michel recorded 140 scrimmage yards (117 rushing, 23 receiving) in the 36–20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.[52] He was placed on injured reserve on October 5, 2020, with a quadriceps injury.[53] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Patriots on October 17, 2020,[54] and removed from the list back to injured reserve on October 31.[55] He was activated off of injured reserve on November 21, 2020.[56] Despite being activated, Michel had limited playing time after second year running back Damien Harris played well when Michel was out and took over as the starting running back. However, Michel got more playing time after an injury to Harris. In Week 17 against the Jets, Michel carried the ball 16 times for 76 yards, and caught three passes for 60 yards and his first career receiving touchdown during the 28–14 win.[57] Overall, Michel finished the 2020 season with 449 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with seven receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown.[58]

Los Angeles Rams (first stint)

[edit]

Michel was traded to the Rams on August 25, 2021, in exchange for a fifth and sixth round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.[59] In Week 13, against the Jaguars, he had 24 carries for 121 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the 37–7 victory.[60] In Week 16, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 27 carries for 131 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 30–23 victory.[61] He finished the 2021 season with 208 carries for 845 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 21 receptions for 128 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[62] Michel won his second Super Bowl title when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[63] In the Super Bowl, Michel had two carries for two yards.[64]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

On May 10, 2022, Michel signed with the Dolphins.[65] He was released on August 29, 2022.[66]

Los Angeles Chargers

[edit]

On August 31, 2022, Michel signed with the Chargers.[67] He was released on December 31, 2022.[68]

Los Angeles Rams (second stint)

[edit]

On June 20, 2023, Michel signed with the Rams.[69]

Michel announced his retirement on July 29, 2023.[70]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 NE 13 8 209 931 4.5 34 6 7 50 7.1 13 0 1 1
2019 NE 16 14 247 912 3.7 26 7 12 94 7.8 19 0 2 1
2020 NE 9 6 79 449 5.7 48 1 7 114 16.3 31 1 0 0
2021 LAR 17 7 208 845 4.1 39 4 21 128 6.1 24 1 1 1
2022 LAC 10 0 36 106 2.9 12 0 9 53 5.9 9 0 0 0
Career 65 35 779 3,243 4.2 48 18 56 439 7.8 31 2 4 3

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 NE 3 2 71 336 4.7 40 6 1 9 9.0 9 0 0 0
2019 NE 1 0 14 61 4.4 25 0 2 9 4.5 7 0 0 0
2021 LAR 3 1 24 78 3.3 35 0 3 −8 −2.7 0 0 0 0
Career 7 3 109 475 4.4 40 6 6 10 1.7 9 0 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

Michel's older brother, Marken Michel, is a wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, and was the 2017 West Division Most Outstanding Rookie with them.[71][72]

Michel is a Christian. Michel has said, “Without Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, there is none of this. We get all this glory, but the glory is not for us, it’s for Him. We do this for Him. That’s kind of my purpose. So really, none of this matters to me.”[73]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Sony Michel: Born To Play". Georgia Dogs. October 8, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  3. ^ Furones, David (April 26, 2018). "American Heritage standout Sony Michel selected by Patriots in first round". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  4. ^ Furones, David (April 16, 2018). "American Heritage standout Sony Michel selected by Patriots in first round". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  5. ^ "Sony Michel, 2014 Running Back". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  6. ^ Adams, Kipp (April 26, 2013). "Georgia adds No. 2 RB Michel to backfield". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Kurtenbach, Dieter (April 26, 2013). "American Heritage RB Sony Michel commits to Georgia". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "FHSAA 2A District 14 Championships – Day 1 – Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "3rd Annual Mirimar Invitational – Track & Field Meet". Athletic.net.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Georgia's Sony Michel confirms twice fractured shoulder blade, but now healthy". Macon.com. August 5, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Paschall, David (August 7, 2015). "Georgia's Sony Michel hoping for healthier second season". Times Free Press. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  12. ^ Ching, David (September 25, 2015). "Georgia's Sony Michel more than just Nick Chubb's backup". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Riley, Connor (September 17, 2015). "Georgia figuring out ways to get Sony Michel on the field". Savannah Now. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Weiszer, Marc (October 10, 2015). "UGA RB Sony Michel carries the load at Tennessee, but fumble haunts him". Online Athens. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Sony Michel 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  16. ^ "Georgia vs. Vanderbilt – Game Recap – October 7, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "Georgia vs. Florida – Game Recap – October 28, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  18. ^ "Georgia vs. Oklahoma – Game Recap – January 1, 2018 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  19. ^ Schroeder, George (January 1, 2018). "Georgia survives Oklahoma in classic, back-and-forth Rose Bowl in double overtime". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  20. ^ Skiver, Kevin (January 2, 2018). "Georgia's Nick Chubb, Sony Michel surpass FBS rushing record in Rose Bowl win". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  21. ^ "NFL Draft Prospect Profile – Sony Michel". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  22. ^ "Georgia RB Sony Michel : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  23. ^ Sessler, Marc (April 26, 2018). "Patriots bolster offense with electric RB Sony Michel". NFL.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  25. ^ "Six Bulldogs Selected in 2018 NFL Draft". University of Georgia. April 28, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  26. ^ Quinn, Sam (April 26, 2018). "Sony Michel, Isaiah Wynn building Georgia to Patriots pipeline". 24/7 Sports. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  27. ^ Fox, Tanya Ray (August 17, 2018). "Report: Sony Michel's procedure was due to a meniscus issue". Patriots Wire. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  28. ^ "Patriots Fall To Jaguars 31–20". CBS – Boston. September 16, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  29. ^ Dunphy, Mark (September 30, 2018). "After his 112-yard breakout performance, Sony Michel can 'pretty much do it all'". Boston.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  30. ^ Ventura, Dan (September 30, 2018). "Patriots rookie RB Sony Michel enjoys breakout game". Boston Herald.
  31. ^ Clements, Devon (October 5, 2018). "Sony Michel already racking up Patriots' rookie milestones". USA Today. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  32. ^ Princiotti, Nora (October 14, 2018). "The Chiefs left too much time, and Tom Brady did what Tom Brady has always done". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  33. ^ Clements, Devon (October 15, 2018). "Instant analysis of Patriots' 43–40 shootout win over Chiefs on SNF". Patriots Wire. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  34. ^ Scalavino, Erik (November 25, 2018). "Game Recap: Reasons to be thankful". Patriots.com. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  35. ^ "Game Notes: Patriots register 18th straight season with at least a .500 record". Patriots.com. November 25, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  36. ^ "Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – December 23rd, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  37. ^ "Sony Michel 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  38. ^ "2018 New England Patriots Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  39. ^ Thompson, Rich (January 13, 2019). "Rookie Sony Michel powers Patriots past Chargers". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  40. ^ Perry, Phil (January 21, 2019). "Patriots go on the run to extend their run". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  41. ^ Bratton, Michael Wayne (January 21, 2019). "Sony Michel has already set rookie rushing touchdown mark in NFL postseason history". Saturday Down South. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  42. ^ Wesseling, Chris (February 3, 2019). "Patriots defeat Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII". NFL.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  43. ^ "Super Bowl 53: UGA's Sony Michel sets rookie postseason TD record". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. February 3, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  44. ^ "NFL Rushing Touchdowns Single-Season Playoffs Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  45. ^ "Most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason, NFL history". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  46. ^ "Newcomer Brown scores as Patriots beat Dolphins 43–0". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  47. ^ "Brady carries unbeaten Patriots past winless Redskins 33–7". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  48. ^ "Patriots blitz Darnold, Jets 33–0 to remain undefeated". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  49. ^ "Sony Michel 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  50. ^ DeArdo, Bryan (August 4, 2020). "Patriots place running back Sony Michel, receiver Mohamed Sanu on PUP list, per report". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  51. ^ Sullivan, Tyler (August 26, 2020). "Sony Michel returns to Patriots practice, setting up intriguing position battle with Damien Harris". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  52. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots – September 27th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  53. ^ Callahan, Andrew (October 5, 2020). "Patriots place Sony Michel, Cody Davis on injured reserve". BostonHerald.com. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  54. ^ Reiss, Mike (October 17, 2020). "New England Patriots place Sony Michel, Shaq Mason, Derek Rivers on reserve/COVID-19 list". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  55. ^ "Patriots' Sony Michel: Removed from COVID-19 list". CBSSports.com. October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  56. ^ "Patriots make a series of roster transactions". Patriots.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  57. ^ "New York Jets at New England Patriots – January 3rd, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  58. ^ "Sony Michel 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  59. ^ "Patriots Trade RB Sony Michel to LA Rams". Patriots.com. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  60. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams – December 5th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  61. ^ "Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – December 26th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  62. ^ "Sony Michel 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  63. ^ Schwartz, Paul (February 13, 2021). "LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022". New York Post. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  64. ^ "Super Bowl LVI – Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals – February 13th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  65. ^ "Roster Move: Dolphins sign Michel". MiamiDolphins.com. May 10, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  66. ^ "Dolphins make roster moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 29, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  67. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Running Back Sony Michel". Chargers.com. August 31, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  68. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Activate Outside Linebacker Joey Bosa". Chargers.com. December 31, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  69. ^ Jackson, Stu (June 20, 2023). "Rams agree to terms with RB Sony Michel". TheRams.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  70. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (July 29, 2023). "Rams RB Sony Michel surprisingly decides to retire from NFL". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  71. ^ "Shaw CFL Awards Reel: Most Outstanding Rookie – CFL.ca". CFL.ca. November 23, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  72. ^ Bricker, Grant (August 16, 2021). "Sony Michel reunites with brother Marken and a former Georgia RB at joint Eagles-Patriots practice". Saturday Down South. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  73. ^ Ackerman, Jon (February 11, 2022). "Rams RB Sony Michel sets out to 'glorify God' no matter the circumstances". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
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