Isiah Pacheco
Isiah Pacheco, nicknamed "Pop" is an American professional football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Pacheco was selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, he won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.
Early life
Pacheco was born in Vineland, New Jersey to Felicia Cannon and Julio Pacheco. He is the youngest of five siblings, and of Puerto Rican descent on his father's side, and African-American descent on his mother's side. He played Pop Warner Football for the Vineland Blitz in Cumberland County, New Jersey, and attended Vineland High School, where he played both quarterback and running back. His senior year he led the Fighting Clan with a dominating performance to win the Thanksgiving Day Classic against the rival Millville Senior High School.College career
Pacheco was heavily recruited by Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, and other football programs along the East Coast. He committed to Rutgers University on June 21, 2017.On August 20, 2019, Pacheco had 20 carries for 156 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Massachusetts. Pacheco saw consistent playing time in each of his four collegiate seasons, rushing 563 times for 2,442 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes for 249 yards and one score.
Pre-draft process
Before gaining national attention, Isiah Pacheco was selected by the scouting staff to participate in the 2022 Hula Bowl, an all-star game known for showcasing small-school and under-the-radar NFL prospects. He later competed in the East–West Shrine Bowl, one of the premier college all-star games, helping to raise his profile before the 2022 NFL draft.College statistics
Professional career
Pre-draft
Pacheco was selected in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.Kansas City Chiefs
2022
In his NFL debut in week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, Pacheco scored his first career NFL rushing touchdown on a 3-yard run. He recorded his first career start in the Chiefs week 7 game against the San Francisco 49ers. In a Week 11 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pacheco rushed for a career-high 107 yards on 15 carries.He finished the regular season with 830 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards, alongside five touchdowns on the ground. He returned 29 kickoffs for 597 yards.
In his first professional season, Pacheco was the starting running back for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. In the Super Bowl, Pacheco had 76 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. Following the season, Pacheco underwent surgeries to repair a torn labrum and broken hand, which he stated he had played through during the Super Bowl.