Roy Helu Roy Helu , Jr . ( born December 7 , 1988 ) is an American football running back for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Redskins . He played college football for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln . On November 6 , 2011 , in a game against the 49ers , Helu set the Redskins ' franchise record of most receptions in single game with 14 catches . High school career . As a high school football player at San Ramon Valley High School , Helu was a successful running back and return man , who also played some free safety . In his junior year at San Ramon Valley Helu ran for 1 , 526 yards rushing and scored 19 touchdowns on 186 carries , and averaged 8 . 6 yards per carry . He also had 30 receptions for 500 yards receiving and four touchdowns , which earned him All - East Bay League honors . During Helu ' s senior year , he helped San Ramon Valley to a 10 - 2 record in 2006 . He finished his senior year with 1 , 085 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns . He had 300 yards receiving on 20 receptions and 1 touchdown , and also recorded one interception as a free safety . He earned first - team all - league honors his senior year as a running back . College career . Despite fighting injuries , Helu rushed for over 1 , 000 yards each of his last two years at Nebraska . He is 4th on the Huskers all time rushing list , and broke Nebraska ' s single - game rushing record by rushing for 307 yards and scoring three touchdowns vs . Missouri on October 30 , 2010 . He is known for his one - cut running style and hurdling ability . Professional career . Washington Redskins . 2011 Season . Helu was selected 105th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins ; eight running backs were selected ahead of Helu . He would later be joined by Nebraska teammates , DeJon Gomes and Niles Paul , who were drafted after him . On November 6 , 2011 in his first career start , Helu broke the Redskins all - time record for receptions in a game with 14 catches , in a loss against the San Francisco 49ers . The following two weeks , in losses to Miami and Dallas , Helu had a combined 14 rushes and 5 receptions as Coach Mike Shanahan split running back duties between Helu and Ryan Torain . Coach Shanahan said , “ I like Helu , he ’ s doing some great things . I don ’ t want to put too much pressure on him too early . He ’ s not ready for that . But he ’ s gaining experience , and I like what I see . ” On November 27 , 2011 , Helu rushed for a Redskins rookie - record 108 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks ' top - ten ranked run defense . While running for a touchdown , he hurdled Seahawks cornerback , Roy Lewis . He was then named the full - time starter by Coach Shanahan , and responded with two consecutive 100 yard performances . Following his 126 yard performance against the New England Patriots , Helu led all active rookies in rush yards . His streak of three consecutive 100 yard games is the most by any Redskins rookie in franchise history ; a record he was unable to extend to four games due to an injury he sustained . At the end of the 2011 NFL season , Helu was Redskins ' leader in rushing yards . On January 16 , 2012 , Helu along with fellow rookie , Ryan Kerrigan , were named to the Pro Football Weekly / Pro Football Writers of America all - rookie team . 2012 Season . After the NFL changed the rule in 2012 to allow players ' jerseys to include generational titles in their names , Helu adopted " Jr . " to the back of his jersey . He was expected to compete for the starting spot in the 2012 season against Tim Hightower and Evan Royster , but ended up losing the competition to rookie Alfred Morris . His second season was cut short after being placed on injured reserve on September 26 , 2012 due to lower leg injuries and turf toe . He finished the season with two rushing yards and 45 receiving yards on seven receptions . Personal . Helu ( pronounced HEH - loo ) was born to Roy Helu , Sr . and Kilistofa ( Kristi ) Helu on December 7 , 1988 in Danville , California . Helu is of Tongan descent . His father played for the United States in the 1987 Rugby World Cup . Helu is a devout Christian . Helu is married to retired professional volleyball player and fellow Nebraska Cornhusker alum , Dani Mancuso .