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Roy Helu
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Roy Ziegler Helu Jr. (born December 7, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Key Information
Helu set the Redskins' franchise record of most receptions in single game with 14 catches in a game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.[1]
Early life
[edit]Helu played high school football at San Ramon Valley High School.[2][3]
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.[4]
College career
[edit]
Despite fighting injuries, Helu rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his last two years at Nebraska.[5][6] By the time he graduated in 2011, he was 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 against Missouri on October 30, 2010.[7]
College statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Att | Yards | Average | TDs | Receptions | Yards | Average | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Nebraska | 45 | 209 | 4.6 | 0 | 5 | 40 | 8.0 | 0 |
| 2008 | Nebraska | 125 | 803 | 6.4 | 7 | 25 | 266 | 10.6 | 0 |
| 2009 | Nebraska | 220 | 1,147 | 5.2 | 10 | 19 | 149 | 7.8 | 0 |
| 2010 | Nebraska | 188 | 1,245 | 6.6 | 11 | 5 | 46 | 9.2 | 0 |
| Career | 578 | 3,404 | 5.9 | 28 | 54 | 501 | 9.3 | 0 | |
Professional career
[edit]| 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+1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
219 lb (99 kg) |
31+3⁄8 in (0.80 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) |
4.44 s | 1.50 s | 2.64 s | 4.01 s | 6.67 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) |
9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) |
11 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[8][9] | ||||||||||||
Washington Redskins
[edit]2011 season
[edit]Helu was selected in the fourth round with the 105th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He would later be joined by Nebraska teammates, DeJon Gomes and Niles Paul, who were drafted after him.[10] 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.[11] The following two weeks, in losses to Miami and Dallas, Helu had a combined 14 rushes and five receptions as Coach Mike Shanahan split running back duties between Helu and Ryan Torain.[12][13] 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.”[14]
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.[15] While running for a touchdown, he hurdled Seahawks cornerback, Roy Lewis. He was then named the full-time starter by Coach Shanahan,[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]
Helu finished with 151 carries for 640 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 49 receptions for 379 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[19] At the end of the 2011 NFL season, Helu was Redskins' leader in rushing yards.[20] 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.[21]
2012 season
[edit]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.[22] He was expected to compete for the starting spot in the 2012 season against Tim Hightower and Evan Royster,[23] 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.[24][25] He finished the season with two carries for two rushing yards and 45 receiving yards on seven receptions.[26]
2013 season
[edit]Helu returned from injury and secured his place as the second string running back behind Morris during the 2013 preseason.[27] In a 45–41 Week 7 win against the Chicago Bears, he recorded his first multi-scoring game, recording three touchdowns.[28][29] He appeared in all 16 games. He finished with 62 carries for 274 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 31 receptions for 251 receiving yards.[30]
2014 season
[edit]In 2014, Helu had almost no competition for the second-string running back job, and won it easily over fellow running backs Silas Redd, Evan Royster, Chris Thompson, and Lache Seastrunk.[31] In the 2014 season, he appeared in 14 games. He finished with 40 carries for 216 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 42 receptions for 477 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[32]
Oakland Raiders
[edit]On March 10, 2015, Helu signed a two-year contract worth over $4 million with the Oakland Raiders.[33][34] In the 2015 season, Helu appeared in nine games. He had 17 carries for 39 rushing yards to go along with nine receptions for 75 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[35]
He was placed on the team's injured reserve list on July 29, 2016, ending his season,[36] and was waived from the team a few days later.[37]
Personal life
[edit]Helu (pronounced HEH-loo) was born to Roy Helu Sr. and Kilistofa (Kristi) Helu on December 7, 1988, in Danville, California.[38] His father played rugby for the United States national rugby union team.[39][40]
He is married to retired professional volleyball player and fellow Nebraska Cornhusker alum, Dani Mancuso.[41][42]
Helu is of Tongan descent. He is a devout Christian.[40][43][44]
References
[edit]- ^ White, Joseph; Writer, AP Sports (November 6, 2011). "Gore leads 49ers past Redskins 19–11". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu, San Ramon Valley , Running Back". 247Sports. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu Jr., a San Ramon Valley High graduate, creates his own legend in storied Nebraska football program". East Bay Times. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu Jr. – 2010 – Football". University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Christopherson, Brian (October 11, 2009). "No word on Helu's possible injury". JournalStar.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu Jr. College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Nebraska Hands Missouri Its First Loss". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 31, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "NFL Combine Profile - Roy Helu". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^ "NFL Draft Scout". Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ Svrluga, Barry (November 6, 2011). "Roy Helu breaks Redskins' record for receptions in a game". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins – November 13th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – November 20th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Maese, Rick (November 22, 2011). "Roy Helu is finishing, but still not starting". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Mike (November 28, 2011). "Career day for Redskins rookie RB Roy Helu". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Mike (November 29, 2011). "Roy Helu will remain starting RB". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Maese, Rick (December 14, 2011). "Roy Helu leads all active rookies in rushing". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Mike (December 19, 2011). "Roy Helu played injured against Giants". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "2011 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Tandler, Rich (January 16, 2012). "Helu, Kerrigan voted to All-Rookie team". CSNWashington.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ Walker, Andrew (May 10, 2012). "New Jerseys Mean Old Name For Helu Jr". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ Tinsman, Brian (July 26, 2012). "Shanahan: Running Back Competition Open". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ Tinsman, Brian (September 26, 2012). "Redskins Sign Grant, Place Helu Jr. On IR". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (September 26, 2012). "Redskins sign Ryan Grant, send Roy Helu to I.R." NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- ^ "Roy Helu 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Maske, Mark (August 28, 2013). "Helu has secured roster spot behind Morris at tailback". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
- ^ Tinsman, Brian (October 21, 2013). "Redskins-Bears Monday Stats Pack". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ McNally, Brian (October 20, 2013). "Redskins edge Bears on Roy Helu's third TD of day". WashingtonTimes.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ "Roy Helu 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "2014 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Keim, John (March 10, 2015). "Raiders sign RB Roy Helu". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- ^ "Raiders Sign RB Roy Helu, Jr". Raiders.com. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ "Roy Helu 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Raiders Announce Transactions". Raiders.com. July 29, 2017. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- ^ Gutierrez, Paul (August 2, 2016). "Raiders formally release RB Roy Helu Jr". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Roy Helu Jr. – 2010 – Football". University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Ubben, David (November 5, 2010). "Father and son: A tale of two Helus". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "For Roy Helu Jr., Football is All about Focus, Perspective and Humility". University of Nebraska. November 5, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ O'Connor, Michael (May 1, 2012). "Ex-Huskers found love after leap of faith". Omaha.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ "Dani Mancuso – 2006 – Volleyball". University of Nebraska. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Huskers For Christ – Roy Helu". Nebraska FCA. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Vaughn and Clay All Day: Episode 32 – Roy Helu Jr. on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. March 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Roy Helu.
- Career statistics from ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Nebraska Cornhuskers bio
Roy Helu
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Roy Helu Jr. was born on December 7, 1988, in Danville, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.[1][4] He is the son of Roy Helu Sr., a Tongan-born former rugby union player who represented the United States Eagles and competed at the 1987 Rugby World Cup, and Kilistofa (Kristi) Helu.[5][6] The Helu family, of Tongan descent, emphasized close-knit dynamics and physical toughness, with Roy Sr. drawing from his athletic background to instill discipline in his children.[7] Roy Jr. is the fourth of six siblings, including three older sisters and two younger siblings, and grew up in a household where sports were a central influence.[8] His father used the family's hilly Bay Area backyard for training drills, introduced Roy Jr. to running techniques and footwork early on, fostering his natural speed that was evident by age eight in Pop Warner football.[8] This early exposure to athletics through his father's guidance shaped Helu's initial interest in football, blending Tongan family values of resilience with structured practice in the competitive Bay Area environment.[8]High school career
Roy Helu attended San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California, where he emerged as a standout running back on the varsity football team for three years.[9] His family's encouragement played a key role in fostering his early athletic development.[10] During his junior year in 2005, Helu rushed for 1,526 yards on 186 carries, scoring 19 touchdowns, while also contributing 500 receiving yards, helping the team to a 6-6 record before a loss in the North Coast Section East Bay semifinals.[10][11] He earned first-team All-East Bay League honors for his performance as both a rusher and return specialist.[10][9] In his senior year of 2006, Helu recorded 1,085 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, again securing first-team All-East Bay League recognition.[9][10] These accomplishments drew attention from college recruiters, leading Helu to commit to the University of Nebraska on September 28, 2006, before signing his national letter of intent in February 2007.[12]College career
University of Nebraska
Roy Helu Jr. arrived at the University of Nebraska after a standout high school career at San Ramon Valley High School in California, where he was heavily recruited for his versatility as a running back.[13] As a true freshman in 2007, Helu appeared in seven games, serving as a rotational player behind established backs and contributing to the team's depth in the backfield. His emergence began in earnest during the 2008 sophomore season, where he started the final two games of the year and took on a more prominent role in the Cornhuskers' option-based offense under head coach Bo Pelini. Helu showcased his speed and vision with multiple 100-yard performances, including a standout 157-yard effort against Oklahoma in a Big 12 loss, earning him honorable-mention All-Big 12 recognition for his contributions to the team's rushing attack.[13] Helu's 2009 junior campaign marked his breakout year, as he started all 14 games and became the focal point of Nebraska's ground game, leading the team with 10 rushing touchdowns. He demonstrated reliability in high-stakes matchups, rushing for 169 yards in a close road loss at Virginia Tech early in the season and adding 138 yards against rival Oklahoma, helping the Cornhuskers improve to 8-1 before a late-season skid. His consistent production and ability to handle a heavy workload solidified his status as one of the Big 12's top backs, earning him second-team All-Big 12 honors and Nebraska's Offensive MVP award.[13] In 2010, Helu's senior season, he served as a team captain and elevated his game further, anchoring Nebraska's offense during a transition year that included a move to the Big Ten. His most iconic performance came on October 30 against No. 7 Missouri, where he set a single-game school rushing record with 307 yards on 28 carries, including touchdown runs of 66, 73, and 53 yards, powering a 31-17 upset victory that knocked the Tigers from the unbeaten ranks and boosted Nebraska's BCS aspirations. Helu's leadership and explosive plays were instrumental in the team's 10-4 finish, culminating in a Holiday Bowl appearance, and he again earned second-team All-Big 12 honors along with Nebraska Offensive MVP recognition. For his Missouri performance, he was named Walter Camp National Player of the Week.[13][14][15] Following his college career, Helu prepared for the NFL Draft by participating in the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2011, where he impressed scouts with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash time, addressing concerns about his speed at the professional level. He further showcased his athleticism at Nebraska's pro day, solidifying his draft stock as a versatile, third-down capable back.[16]College statistics
Roy Helu's statistical output during his college career at the University of Nebraska highlighted his development as a versatile running back, with detailed rushing and receiving numbers available for his sophomore through senior seasons.[2]Rushing and Receiving Statistics (2008–2010)
| Year | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 125 | 803 | 7 | 25 | 266 | 0 |
| 2009 | 220 | 1,147 | 10 | 19 | 149 | 0 |
| 2010 | 188 | 1,245 | 11 | 5 | 46 | 0 |
Professional career
Washington Redskins
Roy Helu was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round, 105th overall, of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Nebraska.[1] As a rookie, Helu quickly emerged as a versatile backup running back, appearing in 15 games and serving as a key third-down option in an offense that struggled to a 3–13 record. He rushed for 640 yards on 151 carries with 2 touchdowns, while catching 49 passes for 379 yards and 1 receiving touchdown, contributing to a total of 3 scores on the season. One highlight came on November 6, 2011, against the San Francisco 49ers, when Helu set a franchise record with 14 receptions in a single game, though the Redskins lost 19–11.[18][19] Helu's momentum was halted in 2012 by injuries, limiting him to just 3 games before being placed on injured reserve with turf toe in his left foot, following earlier issues with both Achilles tendons. He managed only 2 rushing yards on 2 carries and 45 receiving yards on 7 catches, as the Redskins improved to 10–6 behind rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III but fell in the playoffs. Recovering from the setback, Helu returned in 2013 as a rotational player on a team that regressed to 3–13, rushing for 274 yards and 4 touchdowns on 62 carries while adding 251 receiving yards on 31 catches.[20] In 2014, Helu's role further diminished amid a crowded backfield, appearing in 14 games for a 4–12 Redskins squad and serving primarily as a pass-catching specialist with 40 carries for 216 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, plus career-high 477 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 42 receptions. Over his final two seasons in Washington, he combined for 490 rushing yards while providing reliable third-down production. Following the 2014 campaign, Helu became an unrestricted free agent and was not re-signed by the Redskins.[21]Oakland Raiders
Helu signed with the Oakland Raiders as an unrestricted free agent on March 11, 2015, following the expiration of his contract with the Washington Redskins, agreeing to a two-year deal worth just over $4 million.[22][23] As a Bay Area native from Danville, California, the move brought him closer to home and positioned him for a role in the Raiders' backfield.[24] In the 2015 season, Helu served as a backup running back behind Latavius Murray, providing versatile depth on offense with his pass-catching abilities.[25] He appeared in nine games, rushing 17 times for 39 yards while recording nine receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown—a 4-yard catch from Derek Carr in a Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears.[26][3] His limited snaps were impacted by a hamstring injury sustained during training camp, which sidelined him early in the preseason and restricted his role throughout the year.[27][28] Helu's final NFL game came in Week 17 on January 3, 2016, a 23-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had three carries for five yards and two receptions for 23 yards.[26] After the season, ongoing hip issues led to offseason surgery on both hips, and he retired from professional football in 2016 without returning to the league.[29][30]Career statistics
Roy Helu played 57 games in the NFL over five seasons from 2011 to 2015, accumulating 1,171 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns on 272 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per carry.[1] He also recorded 1,227 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns on 138 receptions, averaging 8.9 yards per reception.[1] The following table summarizes Helu's rushing and receiving statistics by year:| Year | Team | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Y/A | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | WAS | 15 | 151 | 640 | 2 | 4.2 | 49 | 379 | 1 |
| 2012 | WAS | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.0 | 7 | 45 | 0 |
| 2013 | WAS | 16 | 62 | 274 | 4 | 4.4 | 31 | 251 | 0 |
| 2014 | WAS | 14 | 40 | 216 | 1 | 5.4 | 42 | 477 | 2 |
| 2015 | OAK | 9 | 17 | 39 | 0 | 2.3 | 9 | 75 | 1 |
| Career | - | 57 | 272 | 1,171 | 7 | 4.3 | 138 | 1,227 | 4 |