Friday 9 December 2016 09:44, UK
It has been a near-perfect first season for Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie running back leads all rushers and currently tops the Pro Bowl vote. But where did his journey to the NFL begin?
Sport was a way of life for the Elliott family. Both his parents were collegiate athletes in Missouri, where Elliott would grow up and go to school. Though John Burroughs High School was known for its academics, Elliott preferred the extra-curricular activities, excelling in American football, basketball and athletics. He won four state titles on the track, including the 100m which he ran in 10.95s, and was named Missouri's Track Athlete of the Year in 2014.
As well as high athletic success, Elliott also led his high school football team to three state championships, including a 3,061 yard, 50 touchdown season in his final year, picking up 24 scholarship offers along the way.
Despite pressure from his parents to study at Missouri, Elliott chose Ohio State University, where he spent his first year on the football team as a back up to Carlos Hyde. Following the 2014 NFL Draft, where Hyde was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, Elliott became the team's lead back.
He blossomed in Urban Meyer's system, rushing for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns as Ohio State became the first team to win the newly formed College Football Play-off. In the final, against Marcus Mariota's Oregon Ducks, Elliott ran for 246 yards and four touchdowns, winning the MVP award.
Despite finishing the 2015 junior season with a 12-1 record, Ohio State didn't return to the play-offs, and Elliott declared for the 2016 draft. In his three years at college, with just two as the starter, he became the University's second all time leading rusher.
In the build up to the draft, comparisons were drawn between Elliott and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. His ability to catch passes as well as run with the ball gave him a distinct advantage over his peers.
Picked fourth overall by the Cowboys, he was an instant favourite for Rookie of the Year honours. However, it took a little time for Elliott to grasp offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system. He was slow out of the blocks in week one, and then fumbled twice in their match up against the Washington Redskins.
Since week three, though, nine of his ten games have yielded over 100 total yards. In the other, against the Cleveland Browns, Elliott still ran for 92.
Combined with the best offensive line in the NFL, Elliott has relished in a system which allows him room to move. He has shown his ability to cut and weave, as well as agility in leaping over defenders.
He is leading the league in rushing yards (1,285), and now leads the Pro Bowl vote, over 60,000 ahead of his team-mate and fellow rookie Dak Prescott. Not settling for Rookie of the Year, Elliott is also in contention for regular season MVP.
This weekend the Cowboys take on the New York Giants, the only team to beat them this season. Since that week one game, Elliott and the whole offence has continued to get stronger, as Prescott's rapport with wide receivers Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley has developed. They have staved off any significant injuries so far, and Elliott is hopeful they can settle a score against the Giants.
Sky Sports is your home of the NFL. Watch the Cowboys @ Giants on Sunday December 11 as part of a triple header live on Sky Sports 1 from 5:30pm.
