Jeremy McNichols Bio
Jeremy Theron McNichols, born December 26, 1995, in Long Beach, California, is an American professional football running back for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, McNichols has built a journeyman career across more than a dozen NFL stops since entering the league in 2017. He is best known for his versatile skill set as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.
Early Life and Background
McNichols was raised in the Long Beach area of Southern California and developed his love for football at a young age. He attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, before transferring to Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, for his senior year. Growing up, McNichols played in Snoop Dogg’s youth football league in Long Beach alongside fellow future NFL player John Ross, an experience that helped sharpen his skills against top competition.
At Santa Margarita Catholic, McNichols played both running back and wide receiver, and his versatility earned him the nickname “McWeapon.” During his high school career, he rushed for 877 yards with nine touchdowns and added 72 receptions for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. Originally committed to the University of Utah, McNichols later changed his pledge and signed with Boise State University, where he would emerge as one of the most productive offensive players in the Mountain West Conference.
Path to the NFL
McNichols enrolled at Boise State in early August 2014, just before the start of fall camp. Although the plan was to redshirt him as a true freshman, the redshirt was pulled after five games and he finished the 2014 season appearing in nine contests with 17 carries for 159 yards and a rushing touchdown, plus 15 receptions for 155 yards and a score.
As a sophomore in 2015, McNichols became a featured offensive weapon, playing in 12 games and rushing 240 times for 1,337 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 51 receptions for 460 yards and six scores. He followed that with an even more productive junior campaign in 2016, logging 314 carries for 1,709 yards and 23 touchdowns along with 37 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns across 13 games. On December 26, 2016, he announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jeremy McNichols Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected McNichols in the fifth round, 162nd overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the 17th running back taken that year. He was released by Tampa Bay on September 2, 2017, but quickly caught on with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad two days later. McNichols was promoted to the active roster on November 29, 2017, before being waived the following September.
The 2018 season saw McNichols cycle through three teams. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, was briefly released and re-signed, and was promoted to the active roster before being waived again. He then joined the Denver Broncos’ practice squad on October 10, 2018, before being signed off that unit by the Tennessee Titans on December 3, 2018.
NFL Journeyman Years (2019–2022)
After being waived by the Titans in August 2019, McNichols spent time on the practice squads of the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2019 season. He was promoted to Jacksonville’s active roster late in the year before being waived in May 2020. A tryout with Tennessee led to a return to the Titans in August 2020, where he carved out his most stable NFL role as a backup to Derrick Henry.
During the 2020 season, McNichols played in all 16 games and recorded 47 carries for 204 yards and a touchdown plus 12 receptions for 55 yards. He scored his first career NFL touchdown on a one-yard rush against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Tennessee finished 11–5 atop the AFC South and advanced to the playoffs. In 2021, he posted 41 carries for 156 yards and 28 receptions for 240 yards with a touchdown, earning another reliable reserve role. Brief stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers followed in 2022 before he was placed on injured reserve.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
McNichols signed with the Washington Commanders on April 1, 2024, and quickly became a dependable depth option and special teams contributor. In a Week 4 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded eight carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns, followed by a seven-carry, 44-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns the next week. He finished 2024 with 55 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns plus nine receptions, helping Washington reach a 12–5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
McNichols re-signed with Washington on a one-year deal on March 14, 2025. In Week 3 of the 2025 season, he broke free for a 60-yard rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders, the longest touchdown rush by a Washington player since 2019. He finished the 2025 season with 44 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown and 25 receptions for 196 yards before re-signing with the Commanders again in March 2026 on a one-year, $1.49 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he plays football rather than auto racing, McNichols has carved out a reputation as a versatile offensive back. His track-type strengths lie in space: he is a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield, a capable blocker in protection, and an opportunistic runner who excels in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Coaches have valued his football IQ and willingness to contribute on special teams coverage units.
Notable Events and Milestones
McNichols’ signature moments include his first NFL touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in 2020, his explosive 2024 multi-touchdown game against Arizona, and his career-long 60-yard scoring run against the Raiders in 2025. He was also part of Tennessee’s 601-yard offensive explosion against Houston in 2020 and Washington’s run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024.
Jeremy McNichols Career Wins
McNichols’ win column is built primarily around team victories rather than individual statistical accolades, and he has been part of several playoff-caliber rosters during his NFL tenure. While he has not earned league-wide individual awards, his career reflects consistent production as a backup and special teams contributor.
College Highlights
At Boise State, McNichols earned second-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2015 and 2016, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier offensive players. His junior season totals of 1,709 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns rank among the best single-season marks in Boise State history, and his 47 career rushing touchdowns placed him among the program’s all-time leaders.
Other Performances
McNichols’ most productive NFL season came in 2024 with Washington, where he set personal bests in rushing yards and touchdowns. His 2020 and 2021 Titans stints also produced the most stable stretches of his career, with 16-game seasons in each year and a combined four total touchdowns.
Jeremy McNichols Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public details about McNichols’ immediate family remain limited, and he has kept his parents and siblings largely out of the spotlight. His youth football background in Snoop Dogg’s Long Beach league and his high school connection with John Ross remain the most documented ties to his early community.
Personal Life
McNichols is known to keep his personal life private, and no public information confirms a spouse or children. He continues to reside in the United States and maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career updates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked one of the most productive individual stretches of McNichols’ NFL career. He opened the year with the Commanders and re-signed with the team in March before producing a season-defining 60-yard rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, the longest touchdown rush by a Washington player since 2019.
He remained a reliable contributor in the passing game, recording five receptions for 64 yards in a Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. McNichols finished the 2025 season with 44 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown and 25 receptions for 196 yards, providing steady depth behind Washington’s lead running back.
With McNichols re-signing with the Commanders on a one-year deal in March 2026, his outlook heading into the next campaign remains tied to his role as a veteran backup and special teams contributor in the nation’s capital.