Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen (born March 2, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Shane Vereen
refer to caption
Vereen with the Patriots in 2013
No. 34, 35
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1989-03-02) March 2, 1989 (age 35)
Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Valencia (Santa Clarita)
College:California
NFL draft:2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 56
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:356
Rushing yards:1,489
Rushing touchdowns:8
Receptions:221
Receiving yards:1,865
Receiving touchdowns:11
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years edit

Vereen was born in Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California, where he attended Valencia High School.[1] A three-year varsity football player, Vereen also played basketball and was one of the Southland's top sprinters, recording the fastest 100-meter time of any junior in Southern California during the 2006 track and field season. His best 100-meter dash time was 10.6 seconds and his best 200-meter dash time was 21.5. He graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.[2]

College career edit

 
Vereen in August 2009.

After being recruited to play at the University of California, Berkeley, Vereen redshirted for the 2007 season.[3]

In 2008, he served as the primary backup to Jahvid Best as part of the Golden Bears' two running back system, playing in all of the team's 13 games.[4] In the season opener against Michigan State, he rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.[5] The game marked the first time that two Cal running backs had completed over 100 yards rushing since the 2006 Holiday Bowl, with Best tallying 111 yards in the victory.[6] For the season, he rushed for 715 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 27 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown.[7]

After Best suffered a severe concussion versus Oregon State, Vereen took over the job of primary running back for the final four games of the 2009 season.[8] In the 2009 Big Game against Stanford, Vereen rushed a career-high 42 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns, helping Cal upset Stanford 34-28.[9][10] For the season, Vereen rushed for 952 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.[11] He also competed on the track team during the 2009 season in the 100 metres.[12]

In the 2010 season opener against UC Davis on September 4, Vereen had 67 rushing yards for two touchdowns, with a third receiving in a 52–3 blowout victory.[13] He followed this up with 60 rushing yards and one score as well as a receiving touchdown the following week against Colorado.[14] On September 17 he had a career-high 198 rushing yards and three touchdowns as Cal fell to Nevada in Reno, and 102 rushing yards while being kept out of the end zone in a narrow loss to Arizona on September 25.[15][16] On October 9, Vereen had a 151-yard rushing performance with two touchdowns against UCLA.[17] He finished the season with 1,167 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns to go with 22 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns.[18]

After graduating in December 2010 in three and a half years with a degree in Media Studies, Vereen decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft.[19][20]

 
Vereen (no. 34) running the ball against Colorado in September 2010

College statistics edit

Season Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2008 California 13 3 142 1,077 7.6 81 4 27 221 8.2 59 1
2009 California 13 4 183 952 5.2 61 12 25 244 9.8 21 2
2010 California 12 12 231 1,167 5.1 59 13 22 209 9.5 31 3
Total 38 19 556 2,834 5.1 81 29 74 674 9.2 59 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 Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+14 in
(1.78 m)
210 lb
(95 kg)
30+58 in
(0.78 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.55 s 1.62 s 2.66 s 4.28 s 6.95 s 34.0 in
(0.86 m)
9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)
31 reps
All values from NFL Combine[21][22]

New England Patriots edit

Vereen was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 56th overall pick.[23] He was signed to a four-year contract by the Patriots on August 1, 2011. On November 21, Vereen scored his first career NFL touchdown on a four-yard run in a 34–3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.[24] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 57 rushing yards and a touchdown.[25]

On November 22, 2012, Thanksgiving night, Vereen caught an 83-yard touchdown reception in a 49–19 rout of the New York Jets.[26] The catch was the longest of his career.[27] Overall, in the 2012 season, he finished with 251 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 149 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.[28] In the Divisional Round of the 2012 NFL Playoffs, against the Houston Texans, Vereen had a career day: he had five receptions for 83 yards, scoring touchdowns on two of them. He also added a third touchdown on one of his seven rushes for 41 yards.[29] Vereen became only the second player in Patriots postseason history, joining Deion Branch, to score both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same postseason game. In addition, he became only the third player in NFL history, joining Roger Craig and Ricky Watters, to score two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a postseason game. In the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, he was limited to 16 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards in the 28–13 loss to the eventual Super Bowl XLVII champions.[30]

In Week 14 of the 2013 season, against the Cleveland Browns, he had 153 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in the 27–26 victory.[31] Overall, in the 2013 season, he finished with 47 receptions, 427 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, 208 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.[32]

In the 2014 season, Vereen finished with 391 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 447 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.[33] On February 1, 2015, Vereen caught a game-high 11 passes for 64 yards and won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks for his first Super Bowl championship.[34]

New York Giants edit

On March 10, 2015, Vereen signed with the New York Giants.[35][36] In his first season with the Giants, he finished with 260 rushing yards, 495 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns.[37]

On September 27, 2016, Vereen was placed on injured reserve with a triceps injury.[38] He was activated off injured reserve on December 10, 2016, prior to Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.[39] On December 20, 2016, he was placed back on injured reserve after re-injuring his triceps.[40] In limited time due to injury in the 2016 season, he finished with 158 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and 94 receiving yards.[41]

In the 2017 season, Vereen finished with 164 rushing yards and 253 receiving yards but did not record a touchdown for the first time in his career.[42]

New Orleans Saints edit

On July 18, 2018, Vereen signed with the New Orleans Saints.[43] He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2018, and was later released with an injury settlement.[44]

NFL career statistics edit

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD FD Rec Tgt Yds Avg Lng TD FD Fum Lost
2011 NE 5 0 15 57 3.8 19 1 2 0 0
2012 NE 13 1 62 251 4.0 16 3 15 8 13 149 18.6 83 1 6 1 1
2013 NE 8 1 44 208 4.7 21 1 10 47 69 427 9.1 50 3 25 1 0
2014 NE 16 6 96 391 4.1 19 2 15 52 77 447 8.6 49 3 24 0 0
2015 NYG 16 0 61 260 4.3 39 0 13 59 81 495 8.4 37 4 23 0 0
2016 NYG 5 1 33 158 4.8 25 1 8 11 19 94 8.5 16 0 4 2 2
2017 NYG 16 0 45 164 3.6 17 0 3 44 53 253 5.8 20 0 7 0 0
Career 79 9 356 1,489 4.2 39 8 66 221 312 1,865 8.4 83 11 89 4 3

Personal life edit

His father, Henry Vereen, was a ninth round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1979 NFL Draft,[2] and played wide receiver in the Canadian Football League for the BC Lions in the early 1980s.[45] Vereen is a first cousin once removed of stage actor and dancer Ben Vereen.[46] Shane's younger brother, Brock, played safety at the University of Minnesota and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.[47][48]

References edit

  1. ^ Struyck, Stephanie (March 24, 2015). "A Hometown Champion New England Patriot's Shane Vereen". élite Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "New England Patriots: Shane Vereen". New England Patriots. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Shane Vereen College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "2008 California Golden Bears Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "Michigan State at California Box Score, August 30, 2008". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "Cal-Michigan State Game Notes". CSTV.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  7. ^ "Shane Vereen 2008 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Vereen, penalty halt Arizona's Rose Bowl aspirations". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 14, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  9. ^ "California at Stanford Box Score, November 21, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "Big Game lives up to hype as Vereen has 3 TDs; late INT sinks Stanford". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  11. ^ "Shane Vereen 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  12. ^ "Outdoor Track 2008–09 Season Top Outdoor Times and Marks" (PDF). University of California. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  13. ^ "California-Davis at California Box Score, September 4, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  14. ^ "Colorado at California Box Score, September 11, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "California at Nevada Box Score, September 17, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  16. ^ "California at Arizona Box Score, September 25, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  17. ^ "UCLA at California Box Score, October 9, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  18. ^ "Shane Vereen 2010 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "Shane Vereen to Declare for NFL Draft". California Golden Bears Athletics. CBS Interactive. January 1, 2011. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  20. ^ Osborne, Cary (January 1, 2011). "College football: On to the NFL". Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Archived from the original on January 5, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  21. ^ "Shane Vereen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  22. ^ "2011 NFL Draft Scout Shane Vereen College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots - November 21st, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "Shane Vereen 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  26. ^ "New England Patriots at New York Jets - November 22nd, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  27. ^ Rodak, Mike (November 23, 2012). "Vereen's 83-yard TD started the ball rolling". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  28. ^ "Shane Vereen 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  29. ^ "Divisional Round - Houston Texans at New England Patriots - January 13th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  30. ^ "AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  31. ^ "Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots - December 8th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  32. ^ "Shane Vereen 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  33. ^ "Shane Vereen 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  34. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 1st, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  35. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 11, 2015). "Shane Vereen expected to land with New York Giants". NFL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  36. ^ Eisen, Michael (March 11, 2015). "Giants sign RB Shane Vereen; announce Free Agent signings". Giants.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  37. ^ "Shane Vereen 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  38. ^ Orr, Conor (September 26, 2016). "Giants' Shane Vereen to have triceps surgery". NFL.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  39. ^ Eisen, Michael (December 10, 2016). "RB Shane Vereen activated from IR; Adam Gettis waived". Giants.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Eisen, Michael (December 20, 2016). "RB Shane Vereen, QB Ryan Nassib placed on IR". Giants.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  41. ^ "Shane Vereen 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  42. ^ "Shane Vereen 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  43. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. July 18, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "New Orleans Saints make roster reductions to 53". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  45. ^ "Powerful Lions improve lineup". The Montreal Gazette. June 30, 1984. Retrieved October 23, 2012 – via Google News.
  46. ^ Berry, Zuri (April 29, 2011). "Patriots select RB Shane Vereen with the 56th pick". Boston.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  47. ^ "Brock Vereen". Minnesota Golden Gophers Athletics. Archived from the original on April 4, 2014.
  48. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

External links edit