Miami Hurricanes Alum Joe Yearby To Get Redskins Tryout

The season ending injury to Washington Redskins Running Keith Marshall is a chance for Miami Hurricanes alum Joseph Yearby to earn a tryout with the Redskins.

Yearby decided to forego his Senior season with the Miami Hurricanes and entered the 2017 NFL Draft. The 5’9 running back went undrafted. He has already had tryouts with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers earlier this year.

After rushing for 1,002 yards as a Sophomore in 2015, Yearby lost his starting job to Mark Walton last season. Walton ran for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown through the air.

Part of Yearby’s decision to turn pro is that he has two young children. Yearby ran for 608 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016.

Yearby continually lost carries as the season went on. He was passed by Gus Edwards for second string behind Walton. In the season’s final three games, Yearby carried six times for 33 yards.

The Redskins running backs went through a lot of flux last season. Matt Jones lost his starting spot due to trouble hanging on to the ball. Like Yearby, he was relegated to third string by the end of the season.

The Redskins are currently four deep at running back. Hindering Yearby is he did not play a lot of special teams at Miami. He recorded four tackles and did not return a kick during his three years in college. He also doesn’t have exceptional speed.

After failing with tryouts with San Francisco and Philadelphia Yearby is going to have a tough time making the Redskins as well. Marshall’s injury gives him an opportunity. The Redskins likely just added him because they need someone at running back in training camp and when the preseason starts in a couple of weeks.

Related Story: Former Miami RB Joseph Yearby In Eagles Rookie Camp

Rob Kelley started nine games for Washington last season and led the team with 704 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Jones started the other seven. He had 460 yards and three touchdowns.

Chris Thompson backed up both and ran for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Thompson was also the team’s third down back. He had 49 receptions for 356 yards and two touchdowns.

Canes Warning’s Redskins sister site Riggo’s Rag took a look at Yearby joining Washington from their perspective.

Related Story: Redskins set to work out UFA running back Joe Yearby on Monday

It seems like this could be Yearby’s last chance in an NFL camp this season. When he tried out for the 49ers and Eagles we speculated that he should try and play in Canada. That might be Yearby’s route next season.

Many questioned Yearby’s decision to turn pro after last season. It seemed to be as much to take care of his family as it did about his football future. One unnamed NFL Scout told the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson earlier this spring.

Next: Miami Hurricanes DT Kendrick Norton Among Nation’s Best

"“When he turned pro, I was saying what the hell was he doing?…He should take another year at Miami – let them take care of his room, board, tuition. I don’t see him getting into a [training] camp. He has quickness. He could go into the arena league. But there’s nothing special about him”"