Former Utah RB TJ Pledger Signs With Cardinals After Minicamp
May 17, 2022, 10:06 AM
Running back TJ Pledger #5 of the Utah Utes reacts after scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the fourth quarter of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. The Utes defeated the Wildcats 38-29. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes running back TJ Pledger signed with the Arizona Cardinals following a rookie minicamp tryout with the NFL team.
Pledger was one of six players to sign with Arizona on May 16.
In addition to Pledger, the Cardinals signed Christian Blake, Tae Daley, Jarrett Guarantano, Greg Long, and Jared Smart.
The former Utah standout first received a minicamp invite after going undrafted following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Rookie Minicamp ☑️ pic.twitter.com/rrD3ZdZNlp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 15, 2022
Pledger will have the opportunity to participate in Arizona’s upcoming offseason workouts and OTAs.
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The Cardinals posted an 11-6 record and reached the playoffs in 2021.
About TJ Pledger
During his only season with the Utes, Pledger helped Utah win the Pac-12 Championship and a Rose Bowl Game bid for the first time in program history.
During his lone season with Utah, the former Oklahoma player recorded 97 carries for 671 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He surpassed the 100-yard mark in four games this season.
In Utah’s win over Stanford on November 5, 2021, Pledger scored on a 96-yard touchdown run. The run is the longest rushing play and the second-longest play from scrimmage in Utah football history.
96 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 🏠
TJ Pledger makes it 35-0 for @Utah_Football 💪 pic.twitter.com/Qf9VbuLY0C
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 6, 2021
In his college career, Pledger carried the ball 232 times for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes out of the backfield for 196 yards.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
