Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is an American football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Colorado and signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Austin Ekeler’s Early Life and Background

Ekeler attended Eaton High School in Eaton, Colorado, where he played high school football for The Fightin' Reds. Ekeler attended and played college football at Western Colorado from 2013 to 2016.

Ekeler started nine games as a freshman and led the team with 1,049 rushing yards along with seven rushing touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 14 rushing touchdowns while setting school records with 1,676 rushing yards, 2,093 total all-purpose yards, and 190.3 all-purpose yards per game. As a junior, he had 19 rushing touchdowns and led Division II in all-purpose yards per game with 203.9 and scoring, averaging 12.6 points per game. As a senior, he had 1,495 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Who Drafted Austin Ekeler?

Ekeler took part in the pro day held at Colorado University back in March. Kevin Fishbain, a beat writer for the Chicago Bears notes that his numbers were “absurd”. That was a compliment as his 40-yard dash would have ranked No. 4 at the scouting combine. In addition, no running back at the combine had a better vertical jump. His game was seen as quick, and elusive along with a strength that far exceeded his size. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield was also particularly impressive but what set him apart was his ability to make plays in space. Ekeler signed a three-year, $1.66 million contract that includes a $5,000 signing bonus with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft.

Austin Ekeler’s NFL Journey

Ekeler, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, has now been with the Chargers for five years from 2017 to 2021. He has 607 rushes for 2812 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 282 catches for 2726 yards and 24 touchdowns.

On December 8, 2019, Ekeler reached the century mark in receiving yards and rushing yards in the same game. He had 112 yards receiving and 100 yards rushing in a 45-10 Chargers romp over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then on October 4, 2021, Ekeler had a career-high 117 rushing yards in a 28-14 Chargers win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It should be noted that Ekeler was never drafted into the National Football League after playing his college football at Western Colorado. He signed his first contract with the Chargers after the NFL Draft in 2017. Then three years later, Ekeler signed a four-year deal worth $24.5 million.

In 2021, Ekeler had 206 rushes for 911 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 70 catches for 647 yards and eight touchdowns. Where Ekeler is dangerous is he is a versatile back. He can be used well in the backfield, and be used effectively in the passing game in short-yardage situations to pick up a key first down. Ekeler’s 20 receiving and rushing touchdowns were tied for the most this past season in the NFL, alongside Taylor, further cementing his claim as one of the premier RBs in the game.

Austin Ekeler teams

Los Angeles Chargers (2017-Present)

Ekeler signed a three-year, $1.66 million contract that includes a $5,000 signing bonus with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. He had a relatively pedestrian rookie season, ending with totals of 260 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 279 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns. He made slight improvements to his game and finished the 2018 season with 554 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 39 receptions, 404 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. In 2019, Ekeler was promoted to the starting role and his career took off. After tallying off strong performances one after the other, Ekeler peaked in Week 14, with 101 rushing yards on just eight carries, with four receptions for 112 receiving yards, and became the sixth player in NFL history to average 10 yards per carry and reception in a 100/100 game. His totals for the season tallied up to 557 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns along with 92 receptions for 993 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

On March 16, 2020, Ekeler signed a four-year $24.5 million contract extension with the Chargers. After missing a chunk of the season due to a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, Ekeler finished the 2020 season with relatively low numbers of 116 carries for 530 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown as well as 54 receptions for 403 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. The 2021 season by Ekeler was one for the history books. He tallied 206 attempts for 911 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns to go along with 70 receptions for 647 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, joining Hall Of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson as the only two players in Chargers history with 20 touchdowns, while also leading the NFL in touchdowns along with Colts RB Jonathan Taylor.

Austin Ekeler NFL Records

• One of four players in 15 years to score at least 15 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.

• Along with Marshall Faulk, Ekeler is one of two players in NFL history to have 10 or more rushing touchdowns and five or more receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons.

• Along with Priest Holmes, Ekeler is one of two players in NFL history to be an undrafted player with 1,500 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in consecutive seasons.

• Most catches by a running back in a single season in Chargers history.

Austin Ekeler Net Worth

As of 2022, Ekeler's net worth is estimated at 24.5 million dollars. This comes in due to various endorsements and sponsorship deals with brands such as ACT OF BEING, Adidas, Pizza Hut, Shock Doctor, and Sleep Number.

A large part of his total worth has come about as a result of the lucrative contracts he’s signed with the Chargers with his current contract amounting to $24.5 million over a 4 year period. You can check out a deeper breakdown of his contract over here.

Austin Ekeler family

Austin Ekeler and his mother, Suzanne Ekeler-Adams, share a deep bond. The star running back doesn't hesitate to credit his mother every chance he gets. You can learn more about their bond and about Suzanne over here.

He is dating renowned dancer and TikToker Melanie Wilking, who is currently 23 years old. You can learn more about her and their relationship by clicking here.