Julian Edelman
Encyclopedia
Julian Francis Edelman is a wide receiver
for the New England Patriots
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
. He played college football
for Kent State
as a quarterback
.
. He was the quarterback for Woodside High School
in Woodside, California
. As a senior in 2004, he led the Wildcats to a 13–0 record. During his high school career, he had 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns passing, in addition to 964 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.
before transferring to Kent State University
, where he majored in business management. At Kent State, Edelman was a three-year starter at quarterback. His senior year, he was the Golden Flashes' leading passer, completing 56% of his passes (153 of 275 passes for 1,820 yards) throwing 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was also their leading rusher, gaining 1,370 yards on 215 attempts (an average of 6.4 yards per carry) and scoring 13 touchdowns. His total offense broke Joshua Cribbs
' single-season school record, set in 2003. He also punted four times, and played safety on the punt coverage team.
; at his pro day, he recorded a 20-yard short shuttle time of 3.92 seconds, which was the fastest time of any player at the Combine.
, which had conducted private workouts with Edelman before the 2009 NFL Draft
, selected him in the seventh round (232nd overall), ahead of Michigan State
quarterback Brian Hoyer
, who joined the Patriots as a free agent. Several analysts have suggested that the Patriots may have selected Edelman for his potential in a Wildcat formation. On July 16, 2009, Edelman signed a four-year contract with the Patriots that included a $48,700 signing bonus.
returning a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, and made the team over former Eagles wide receiver Greg Lewis, for whom the Patriots had given up a fifth-round draft pick in 2009.
Edelman sat out the Patriots' Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills
with an ankle injury, but was activated for, and made his first career start in, the Patriots' 16–9 loss in Week 2 against the New York Jets
, which was also the first game Wes Welker
has missed since Welker became a Patriot in 2007. Edelman led all receivers with eight receptions for 98 yards, and added 38 yards on two kickoff returns and 2 yards on a punt return, for a total of 138 all-purpose yards.
Edelman broke his arm in the Patriots' 59–0 rout of the Tennessee Titans
, and did not accompany the Patriots on their trip to London to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. At the time of his injury, Edelman was leading all rookies with 21 receptions. He returned for the Patriots' Week 10 game against the Indianapolis Colts
, where he scored his first official NFL touchdown on a 9-yard reception from Brady.
When Welker was sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL
and MCL
against the Houston Texans
, Edelman was once again called on to fill Welker's role; Edelman caught 10 of the 15 passes thrown to him for 103 yards, the first 100-yard game of his NFL career. He finished the regular season with 37 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown.
In the Patriots' Wild Card playoff
loss to the Baltimore Ravens
, Edelman caught six passes from Brady for 44 yards, including both of the Patriots' touchdowns. Edelman became the first rookie to score two receiving touchdowns in one postseason game since David Sloan did so for the Detroit Lions
in the 1995–96
season.
, with Welker, Deion Branch
, and Aaron Hernandez
inactive, Edelman capitalized with three receptions for a total of 72 yards.
As a punt returner, Edelman had a 71-yard return for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears
in Week 14 nullified by a holding penalty on linebacker Dane Fletcher
; in the Week 17 game against the Dolphins, he returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return touchdown by a Patriot since Troy Brown
returned one against the Carolina Panthers
in the Week 17 finale of the 2001
season, and the longest punt return in Patriots franchise history, eclipsing an 89-yard return by Mike Haynes in 1976
. Edelman also set a franchise record by averaging 15.3 yards per return.
, because of injuries to the Patriots' secondary, he was pressed into service as a defensive back
during the fourth quarter; he earned his first tackle on defense by stopping running back LaDainian Tomlinson
on a play in which Tomlinson injured his MCL
.
During the Patriots' Week 11 game on Monday Night Football
against the Kansas City Chiefs
, he played defensive back in nickel and dime situations. He also returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, which helped him earn his first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
, the similarities in their playing styles led their teammates to dub Edelman "Welker's Mini-Me
."
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for Kent State
Kent State Golden Flashes football
The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Bowl Subdivision...
as a quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
.
Early years
Edelman was born in Redwood City, CaliforniaRedwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
. He was the quarterback for Woodside High School
Woodside High School (Woodside, California)
Woodside High School is an American public high school located in Woodside on the border with Redwood City, California. It is part of the Sequoia Union High School District. It has scored a perfect ten in California's similar-school rankings in 2009 and 2010....
in Woodside, California
Woodside, California
Woodside is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States, on the San Francisco Peninsula. It uses a council-manager system of government. The U.S. Census estimated the population of the town to be 5,287 in 2010....
. As a senior in 2004, he led the Wildcats to a 13–0 record. During his high school career, he had 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns passing, in addition to 964 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.
College career
After high school, Edelman spent a year at the College of San MateoCollege of San Mateo
College of San Mateo is a community college in San Mateo, California. It is part of the San Mateo County Community College District....
before transferring to Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
, where he majored in business management. At Kent State, Edelman was a three-year starter at quarterback. His senior year, he was the Golden Flashes' leading passer, completing 56% of his passes (153 of 275 passes for 1,820 yards) throwing 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was also their leading rusher, gaining 1,370 yards on 215 attempts (an average of 6.4 yards per carry) and scoring 13 touchdowns. His total offense broke Joshua Cribbs
Joshua Cribbs
Joshua "Josh" Cribbs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played collegiately for Kent State University. He holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns...
' single-season school record, set in 2003. He also punted four times, and played safety on the punt coverage team.
Pre-draft
Edelman was not invited to the 2009 NFL CombineNFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
; at his pro day, he recorded a 20-yard short shuttle time of 3.92 seconds, which was the fastest time of any player at the Combine.
Pre-draft
The New England PatriotsNew England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, which had conducted private workouts with Edelman before the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, selected him in the seventh round (232nd overall), ahead of Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
quarterback Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
, who joined the Patriots as a free agent. Several analysts have suggested that the Patriots may have selected Edelman for his potential in a Wildcat formation. On July 16, 2009, Edelman signed a four-year contract with the Patriots that included a $48,700 signing bonus.
2009 season
Edelman scored his first professional points on August 13, 2009, in a pre-season game with the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
returning a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, and made the team over former Eagles wide receiver Greg Lewis, for whom the Patriots had given up a fifth-round draft pick in 2009.
Edelman sat out the Patriots' Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
with an ankle injury, but was activated for, and made his first career start in, the Patriots' 16–9 loss in Week 2 against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, which was also the first game Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
has missed since Welker became a Patriot in 2007. Edelman led all receivers with eight receptions for 98 yards, and added 38 yards on two kickoff returns and 2 yards on a punt return, for a total of 138 all-purpose yards.
Edelman broke his arm in the Patriots' 59–0 rout of the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
, and did not accompany the Patriots on their trip to London to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. At the time of his injury, Edelman was leading all rookies with 21 receptions. He returned for the Patriots' Week 10 game against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, where he scored his first official NFL touchdown on a 9-yard reception from Brady.
When Welker was sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
and MCL
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Edelman was once again called on to fill Welker's role; Edelman caught 10 of the 15 passes thrown to him for 103 yards, the first 100-yard game of his NFL career. He finished the regular season with 37 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown.
In the Patriots' Wild Card playoff
2009–10 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 2009 season began on January 9, 2010 and led up to Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida...
loss to the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, Edelman caught six passes from Brady for 44 yards, including both of the Patriots' touchdowns. Edelman became the first rookie to score two receiving touchdowns in one postseason game since David Sloan did so for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the 1995–96
1995 Detroit Lions season
The 1995 season marked the Lions third consecutive playoff appearance. For the third consecutive year, the Lions lost in the playoffs. Herman Moore had a career season as he broke Cris Carter’s record for most receptions in a season. Moore and teammate Brett Perriman became the first WR duo to...
season.
2010 season
In the 2010 season, Edelman saw a decrease in playing time; through 15 games, he had just four receptions for 14 yards. In the Week 17 game against the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, with Welker, Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
, and Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez
-New England Patriots:Hernandez was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Shortly after he was drafted, The Boston Globe reported Hernandez had admitted to marijuana use and had failed multiple drug tests while in college, causing his draft stock to drop...
inactive, Edelman capitalized with three receptions for a total of 72 yards.
As a punt returner, Edelman had a 71-yard return for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Week 14 nullified by a holding penalty on linebacker Dane Fletcher
Dane Fletcher
Dane Fletcher is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Montana State....
; in the Week 17 game against the Dolphins, he returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return touchdown by a Patriot since Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
returned one against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
in the Week 17 finale of the 2001
2001 New England Patriots season
The 2001 New England Patriots season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League and 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI....
season, and the longest punt return in Patriots franchise history, eclipsing an 89-yard return by Mike Haynes in 1976
1976 New England Patriots season
The 1976 New England Patriots season was the seventh season for the team in the National Football League and 17th season overall. After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one .500 season amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3 and rushing for 2,957...
. Edelman also set a franchise record by averaging 15.3 yards per return.
2011 season
During the 2011 season, Edelman was used primarily as a kick and punt returner. During the Patriots' Week 10 game against the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, because of injuries to the Patriots' secondary, he was pressed into service as a defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
during the fourth quarter; he earned his first tackle on defense by stopping running back LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
on a play in which Tomlinson injured his MCL
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
.
During the Patriots' Week 11 game on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, he played defensive back in nickel and dime situations. He also returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, which helped him earn his first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
Stature
Although both the Kent State and Patriots websites listed Edelman as 6'0", Edelman himself has stated that he is only 5'10", as was measured at his Pro Day. (The Patriots website changed his height to 5'10" during the 2010 preseason.) Moreover, even though Edelman is taller than Wes WelkerWes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
, the similarities in their playing styles led their teammates to dub Edelman "Welker's Mini-Me
Mini-Me
Mini-Me is a character played by Verne Troyer in the second and third Austin Powers movies: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember.-History:...
."