# Xazavian Valladay

Xazavian Valladay (born July 3, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State and Wyoming.

## Early life

Valladay's hometown is Matteson, Illinois and he attended Brother Rice High School. In his high school career, Valladay helped his high school to 9–3 record and to the 2016 Illinois Class 8A State Playoffs as the number eight seed. Valladay would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Wyoming.

## College career
### Wyoming

In Wyoming's 2018 season finale, Valladay had a breakout game as he rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, as he helped the Cowboys beat New Mexico to become bowl eligible. Valladay finished the 2018 season with 396 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries, while also hauling in four passes for 35 yards. In the 2019 Arizona Bowl, Valladay had a monster game rushing for 204 yards and a touchdown, while also bringing in three passes for 91 yards and a score, as he helped Wyoming beat Georgia State to win their bowl game. For his performance on the game he was named the Offensive MVP for the game. Valladay finished his breakout 2019 season with 1,265 yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries, while also notching 11 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns. For his performance on the season he was named to the 2019 First Team All Mountain-West football team. In week two of the 2020 season, Valladay had an amazing performance rushing for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching two passes for 32 yards, as he helped the Cowboys beat Hawaii 31–7. Valladay finished the shortened 2020 season with 550 yards and four touchdowns on 99 carries, while also hauling in 13 receptions for 105 yards. For his performance on the year, Valladay was named First Team All Mountain West for the second straight season. In week nine of the 2021 season, Valladay had another great performance rushing for 172 yards, but Wyoming would fall to San Jose State 27–21. Valladay finished the 2021 season with 1,063 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries, while also racking up 23 receptions for 233 yards. For his performance on the season, Valladay would be named Second Team All Mountain West. After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Valladay announced that he had decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and continue out his career elsewhere.

### Arizona State

Valladay would decide to transfer to Arizona State to play out his final season of eligibility. Valladay had a stellar debut with Arizona State in week one of the 2022 season, as he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, as helped the Sun Devils beat Northern Arizona. In week nine, Valladay had another great performance rushing for 118 yards and three touchdowns, as he helped Arizona State take down Colorado. Valladay finished the season with 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries, while also bringing in 37 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns. For his performance on the season, Valladay was named second team all Pac-12.
Valladay finished his college career with 4,466 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 841 carries, while also notching 88 receptions for 873 yards and four touchdowns.

## Professional career

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 11+1⁄4 in (1.81 m) | 204 lb (93 kg) | 30+3⁄4 in (0.78 m) | 8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | 4.46 s | 1.56 s | 2.59 s | 4.32 s | 7.00 s | 40.0 in (1.02 m) | 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) | 22 reps |
| All values from Pro Day ||||||||||||

### Houston Texans

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Valladay signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. On August 13, 2023, Valladay was released by the Texans.

### Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 15, 2023, Valladay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On August 29, Valladay was released by the Steelers during final rosters cuts.

### New York Jets

On August 30, 2023, Valladay signed to the New York Jets practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024.
On August 27, 2024, Valladay was waived by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on September 11.

### New Orleans Saints

On November 6, 2024, Valladay was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025.