Anthony McFarland Jr. (born March 4, 1998) is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Anthony McFarland Jr.
refer to caption
McFarland with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1998-03-04) March 4, 1998 (age 26)
Hyattsville, Maryland, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Maryland)
College:Maryland (2017–2019)
Position:Running back
NFL draft:2020 / round: 4 / pick: 124
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards:146
Rushing average:3.5
Receptions:11
Receiving yards:87
Return yards:237
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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McFarland attended Ernest Everett Just Middle School in Lake Arbor, Maryland, before attending DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He did not play football his senior season of high school due to injury.[1] Despite this he was still an Under Armour All-American.[2] He committed to the University of Maryland to play college football.[3] At DeMatha, he was a teammate of defensive end Chase Young, who was later selected second overall in the 2020 NFL draft by the Washington Football Team.[4]

College career

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McFarland Jr. redshirted his first year at Maryland in 2017. He played for the first time in two years in 2018.[5][6] He started five of 12 games, rushing for 1,034 yards on 131 carries with four touchdowns. In 2019, he rushed for 614 yards on 114 carries and eight touchdowns. After the season, he entered the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his final two seasons.[7][8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 8+18 in
(1.73 m)
208 lb
(94 kg)
30+38 in
(0.77 m)
8+78 in
(0.23 m)
4.44 s 1.59 s 2.65 s 29.5 in
(0.75 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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McFarland was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.[11] He made his NFL debut in Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Houston Texans. He had six carries for 42 rushing yards in the 28–21 victory.[12]

On September 1, 2021, McFarland was placed on injured reserve to start the season.[13] He was activated on October 27.[14]

On August 30, 2022, McFarland was waived by the Steelers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 12, 2023.[17]

On September 18, 2023, McFarland was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[18] He was activated on November 6.[19] He was released on December 21 and re-signed to the practice squad.[20] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[21]

San Antonio Brahmas

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On February 6, 2024, McFarland signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).[22] His contract was terminated on August 19, 2024, to sign with an NFL team.[23]

Miami Dolphins

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McFarland signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 19, 2024.[24] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad, but released a day later.[25][26]

References

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  1. ^ Giannotto, Mark (August 18, 2016). "DeMatha loses RB Anthony McFarland to a broken fibula just before the season" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  2. ^ "Anthony McFarland Jr. receives Under Armour All-America jersey". USA TODAY High School Sports. November 2, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Bogage, Jacob. "DeMatha running back Anthony McFarland commits to Maryland". Washington Post.
  4. ^ Hailey, Peter. "Terps RB Anthony McFarland practiced against Chase Young in high school. It wasn't fun". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Markus, Don (September 26, 2018). "With two straight 100-yard games, Maryland's Anthony McFarland starting to live up to the hype". baltimoresun.com.
  6. ^ Giambalvo, Emily (September 27, 2018). "Maryland's Anthony McFarland has emerged – to the tune of 10.8 yards per carry". Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Alper, Josh (December 3, 2019). "Maryland RB Anthony McFarland Jr. declares for 2020 draft". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Anthony McFarland Jr. will enter NFL draft, skipping his final two seasons at Maryland". Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  9. ^ "Anthony McFarland Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "2020 Draft Scout Anthony McFarland Jr., Maryland NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Varley, Teresa (April 25, 2020). "Steelers select McFarland in the fourth round". Steelers.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  13. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 1, 2021). "Roster moves continue for Steelers". Steelers.com.
  14. ^ Varley, Teresa (October 27, 2021). "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  15. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 30, 2022). "Steelers make two trades; release five players". Steelers.com.
  16. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 31, 2022). "Steelers add eight to practice squad". Steelers.com.
  17. ^ "Steelers sign three to Reserve/Future Contracts". Steelers.com. January 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Steelers make roster moves ahead of MNF". Steelers.com. September 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Holcomb placed on IR; McFarland activated". Steelers.com. November 6, 2023.
  20. ^ Varley, Teresa. "Steelers release McFarland". Steelers.com. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Varley, Teresa (January 17, 2024). "Steelers sign 17 to Reserve/Future contracts". Pittsburgh Steelers.
  22. ^ Larsen, James (February 7, 2024). "San Antonio Brahmas Add Three Players In UFL Free Agency". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  23. ^ @UFL_PR (August 19, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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