T. J. Rushing

T. J. Rushing
Auburn Tigers
Position:Safeties Coach
Personal information
Born: (1983-06-08) June 8, 1983 (age 41)
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Pauls Valley (OK)
College:Stanford
NFL draft:2006 / round: 7 / pick: 238
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Arizona State (2013)
    Graduate assistant
  • Arizona State (2014)
    Defensive quality control coach
  • Northern Arizona (2015)
    Cornerbacks coach
  • Arizona State (2016–2017)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Memphis (2018–2019)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Texas A&M (2020–2023)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Auburn (2024)
    Special assistant to head coach
  • Auburn (2025-present)
    Safeties coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:30
Return yards:1,290
Total touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Terrall Brent "T. J." Rushing (born June 8, 1983) is an American football coach and former player who is currently a special assistant to the head coach at Auburn University.[1] As a player, he played as a cornerback and return specialist.[2] He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft.[3] He played four seasons with the team. He won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis, when the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He played college football at Stanford.

Early life

Rushing attended Pauls Valley High School in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and was a letterman in football, basketball, and track.[4]

College career

Rushing finished his Stanford career as one of the top three kick returners in school history with 1409 yards. He was named First Team All Pac-10 for his work on special teams during his junior year. Rushing had three career touchdowns on kickoff returns, including both the first and last return of his senior season.[citation needed]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+3⁄8 in
(1.79 m) 		180 lb
(82 kg) 		4.41 s 4.34 s 7.12 s 40.0 in
(1.02 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 20 reps
All values from Pro Day[5]

Indianapolis Colts

Rushing mainly played on special teams as a kick/punt returner for the Colts, in a career which includes one punt return touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in 2007. Rushing spent the entire 2008 season on injured reserve.[citation needed]

He was non-tendered as a restricted free agent following the 2009 NFL season.

Detroit Lions

Rushing signed with the Detroit Lions on August 18, 2010, and was released by the club on September 4, 2010.[6]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Rushing was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on April 19, 2012.[7] He was released during training camp on June 17, 2012.[8]

Coaching career

Arizona State University

Rushing was hired as a defensive backs coach for Arizona State University in 2016.[9][10]

University of Memphis

Rushing was hired as the defensive backs coach for Memphis in January 2018.[11][10][12]

Texas A&M University

Rushing was hired as the defensive backs coach for Texas A&M University in January 2020.[13][12]

Auburn University

Rushing was hired as a special assistant to the head coach for Auburn University on June 20, 2024.[14]

References

  1. ^ Galatzan, Matt (June 21, 2024). "Auburn to Hire Ex Texas A&M Defensive Backs Coach TJ Rushing - Report". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "T.J. Rushing". NFL.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  3. ^ "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "TJ Rushing, Defensive Backs Coach (FB), Texas A&M Aggies". 247Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "T.J. Rushing College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "Detroit Lions Transactions". detroitlions.com. 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "Riders release veteran Romero, sign four". cfl.ca. 2012. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  8. ^ "Roughrider Roster Moves | Saskatchewan Roughriders". Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  9. ^ "ASU football's secondary embracing fresh start". statepress.com. 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "TJ Rushing". Florida State Seminoles. December 28, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Norvell Announces Staff Additions and Promotions". gotigersgo.com. 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  12. ^ a b A, Texas; Information, M. Sports. "TJ Rushing named Texas A&M's Defensive Backs coach". kbtx.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  13. ^ "TJ Rushing Named Texas A&M's Defensive Backs coach". 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  14. ^ Smajovits, Harrison (June 20, 2024). "Tigers Hiring Former SEC West Rival's Assistant". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 22, 2024.