Justin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele (born December 30, 1985) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Toledo. Jalen is now the owner of Parmele Post Rehab Exercise and Massage in Gilbert, Arizona.[1]

Jalen Parmele
refer to caption
Parmele (#34) at practice during his time with the Ravens
No. 34, 38
Position:Running back / Kickoff returner
Personal information
Born: (1985-12-30) December 30, 1985 (age 38)
Boynton Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:224 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Midland (MI) Dow
College:Toledo
NFL draft:2008 / Round: 6 / Pick: 176
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-MAC (2006, 2007)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:48
Rushing yards:187
Rushing touchdowns:0
Receptions:7
Receiving yards:60
Receiving touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years edit

Parmele attended and played high school football for H. H. Dow High School in Midland, Michigan.[2] He rushed for 705 yards as a sophomore, 1,253 yards as a junior, and 1,507 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.[2] For his performance as a senior, Parmele was named team MVP as well as a first-team all-state selection.[2] He was also selected to the league's all-academic team three years.[2]

In addition to football, he lettered in track and basketball.[2]

College career edit

Parmele went on to attend the University of Toledo.[3] He also received scholarship offers from Florida A&M, Western Michigan, and Eastern Michigan.[4]

As a freshman in 2004, he rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.[5] He appeared in 11 games the following season, rushing for 294 yards and three touchdowns.[6]

Parmele broke out as a junior in 2006, rushing for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to a first-team All-MAC selection.[7] He also caught 16 passes for 128 yards on the season.[3] His rushing total ranked third in the conference behind only Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe and Ohio's Kalvin McRae.[3][8] He set a career-high with 173 rushing yards against Ball State, and his 92-yard run in that game was the second-longest in school history.[3][9]

In 12 starts as a senior in 2007, Parmele rushed for a career-high 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns on the way to his second consecutive first-team All-MAC selection.[2][10] His rushing total that season ranked ninth in the nation and second in the conference behind only Kent State's Eugene Jarvis.[2] He also caught 17 passes for 157 yards (both personal bests) and the only receiving touchdown of his collegiate career.[2][11] He surpassed his previous career high with 241 rushing yards in a game against Ohio.[2][12]

Parmele concluded his four-year collegiate career with 3,119 rushing yards on 589 carries (5.3 avg.) and 28 touchdowns.[13]

Statistics edit

Career Statistics
Rushing Receiving
Year G Att Yds TD Lng Avg. Rec. Yds TD Lng Avg.
2004 9 42 183 3 21 4.4 4 24 0 15 6.0
2005 11 64 294 3 26 4.6 4 41 0 17 10.3
2006 12 207 1,131 8 92 5.5 16 128 0 25 8.0
2007 12 276 1,511 14 54 5.5 17 157 1 28 9.2
Total 44 589 3,119 28 92 5.3 41 350 1 28 8.5

Professional career edit

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+12 in
(1.82 m)
224 lb
(102 kg)
4.47 s 1.48 s 2.54 s 4.29 s 6.96 s 34 in
(0.86 m)
10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)
19 reps
All values from NFL Combine[14][15]

Pre-draft edit

Prior to the 2008 NFL Draft, Parmele participated in the NFL Scouting Combine and posted a 4.47-second 40-yard dash.[16] At his Pro Day on February 28, he measured in at 5 ft 11+38 in (1.813 m) and 226 lb (103 kg).[16] He ran the short shuttle in 4.44 seconds, short cone drill in 6.95 second, and had a 41+12 in (1,050 mm) vertical leap.[16] On April 15, Parmele met with the Miami Dolphins for a pre-draft visit.[4]

Miami Dolphins edit

Parmele was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. The pick used to select Parmele was acquired from the Detroit Lions.[17] Shortly after the draft, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland labeled Parmele the third running back on the depth chart and said he would also be a given a chance to return kickoffs.[16] During June workouts, Parmele worked with the second-team offense and also returned punts.[16]

After spending the first three games of the 2008 regular season inactive, Parmele was waived by the Dolphins on September 24 to make room for tight end Joey Haynos on the roster.[18] Parmele was re-signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[19]

Baltimore Ravens edit

Parmele was signed by the Baltimore Ravens off the Dolphins' practice squad on December 9, 2008. He made his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the regular season finale on December 28, rushing twice for 27 yards.[20]

In his second season with the Ravens in 2009, he made a much bigger impact as he became the team's starting kick returner after rookie Lardarius Webb tore his ACL in Week 15. On only nine kick-off returns, Parmele racked up 283 yards for a 31.4 average with his longest return being 53 yards. He also added five carries for 17 yards as the team's #4 runningback and six special teams tackles.[21]

In 2010, Parmele did not rush once but continued his role as a backup returner.[22][23]

Parmele was released by Baltimore during final cuts on September 3, 2011.[24]

Jacksonville Jaguars edit

Parmele was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 1, 2012.[25] He began the season as a special teams player, including returning kicks.[26] When Maurice Jones-Drew and two other running backs were injured, Parmele became the starting running back. He played in the Jaguars first 11 games before incurring a partially torn groin on November 27.[27] Parmele was placed on injured reserve and surgery ended his season with 40 carries for 143 yards, 3.6 yards per carry. He caught seven passes for 60 yards, for 8.6 yards per catch, and returned 10 kicks for 233 yards, a 23.3 yard average.[28]

He became a free agent in 2013.

Tennessee Titans edit

Parmele signed with the Tennessee Titans on May 8, 2013.[29] He was released by the team on August 30, 2013.[30]

Arizona Cardinals edit

On May 27, 2014, Parmele signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[31] He appeared in a Week 3 game for the Cardinals.[32] He was released by the team on September 24, 2014.[33]

Cleveland Browns edit

Parmele was signed by the Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2015.[34] On August 31, 2015, he was released by the team.[35]

References edit

  1. ^ "Massage Therapy Gilbert – About Us". Parmele Post Rehab. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "TEAM: Roster Jalen Parmele Profile". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d "Jalen Parmele Biography". UTRockets.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Jalen Parmele Conference Call". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  5. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2004 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2005 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2006 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "2006 Mid-American Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Ball State at Toledo Box Score, November 14, 2006". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2007 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "2007 Mid-American Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Ohio at Toledo Box Score, October 20, 2007". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Jalen Parmele College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Archived copy Archived March 17, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Jalen Parmele". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e "KFFL – Jalen Parmele, RB". KFFL.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  17. ^ "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Nelson, Chris J. (September 25, 2008). "Dolphins Sign TE Haynos, Waive RB Parmele; Make Practice Squad Moves". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Parmele signs with Dolphins' practice squad". Midland Daily News. September 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "2010 Baltimore Ravens Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  23. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ravens release Parmele". Midland Daily News. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "Jaguars sign Jalen Parmele". jaguars.com. May 1, 2012. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  26. ^ Smits, Garry (November 9, 2012). "Jaguars Notebook: First miss of season ends kicker Josh Scobee's streak". Florida Times Union. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  27. ^ Stellino, Vito (November 28, 2012). "Jaguars notes: Parmele latest running back to sustain injury". Florida Times Union. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  28. ^ "Jalen Parmele 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  29. ^ Alper, Josh (May 8, 2013). "Titans sign Jalen Parmele, release Jamie Harper". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  30. ^ "Titans waive Midland's Parmele". CT Insider. August 31, 2013. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "Arizona Cardinals sign Kevin Ozier, Jimmy Legree, Cory Brandon and Jalen Parmele". Arizona Sports. May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  32. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  33. ^ "Arizona Cardinals re-sign Bruce Gaston, release Jalen Parmele". Arizona Sports. September 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  34. ^ "Browns sign RBs Timothy Flanders, Jalen Parmele". Cleveland Browns. August 3, 2015. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  35. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 31, 2015). "Browns begin the process of getting to 75 with some vet cuts". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.

External links edit