Jaleel McLaughlin: College football career, stats, highlights, records

When Jaleel McLaughlin transferred to Youngstown State from Notre Dame (OH) for his final year two years of college in 2021, he continued his success as one of the top NCAA running backs ever. McLaughlin finished his career as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher.

Here's more on McLaughlin's college career.

The vitals on Jaleel McLaughlin

School: Notre Dame (OH) & Youngstown State
Position: Running back
Height: 5-9
Weight: 183 pounds
Years active: 2018-2022

Here are Jaleel McLaughlin's career stats in college.

Where did Jaleel McLaughlin go to college?

Jaleel McLaughlin, a native of Marshville, North Carolina, attended Notre Dame (OH) and Youngstown State. Out of high school, he signed with Notre Dame as one of his only running back offers, per and  After COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, McLaughlin transferred to Youngstown State.

What kind of prospect was Jaleel McLaughlin in high school?

McLaughlin was an unheralded prospect at Forest Hills High School in Marshville, NC. In high school, McLaughlin played football and basketball while also running track. He won one state championship in basketball and two state championships in track and field. On the gridiron, he wasn't highly recruited as most schools looked at him as a defensive back. However, DII program Notre Dame (OH) gave McLaughlin an opportunity to play running back and he signed.

What records did Jaleel McLaughlin set in college?

Here are the records set by McLaughlin in college:

NCAA records set

• NCAA All-Division career rushing yardage leader with 8,166 yards

DII records set

• First player at any NCAA level to rush for over 2,000 yards in both freshman and sophomore seasons.
• 2,316 Rushing Yards ranks sixth in DII history, his second season in which he has recorded a top-ten finish in the category.
• Third player at DII level to gain over 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons.

2019 records set

• Became the second player in DII history to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons

2018 records set

• Broke NCAA DII record for Most Rushing Yards Gained in First Game of Career (302 vs. Shepherd - 9/1)
• Broke NCAA DII record for Most Single-Season Rushing Yards Gained by a Freshman (2,421)
• Broke NCAA DII record for Most Single-Season All-Purpose Yards Gained by a Freshman (2,699)
• Broke NCAA DII record for Most Single-Season All-Purpose Yards Gained by Two Players on the Same Team (with Marvelle Ross, 4,630)
• Tied NCAA DII record for Most Games Gaining 100 Yards or More by a Freshman (12)
• Ranks fourth in NCAA DII Single-Season Rushing Yards (2,421)
• Ranks seventh in NCAA DII Single-Season All-Purpose Yards (2,699)
• Broke NDC Single-Game Rushing record (340 vs. West Liberty - 9/29)
• Broke NDC Longest Rush record (89 vs. West Liberty - 9/29)

Which awards did Jaleel McLaughlin win in college?

Here are the awards and honors McLaughlin won in college:

•  First-team All-America by The Associated Press, Athlon Sports, FCS Stats Perform and HERO Sports (2022)
• Second-team All-American recipient by the AFCA (2022)
• 2022 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
• Walter Payton Award finalist (2022)
• Third-team All-America selection by The Associated Press and HERO Sports (Fall 2021)
• First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (Fall 2021)
• Second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (Spring 2021)
• MVFC All-Newcomer Team (Spring 2021)
• Finished second in Harlon Hill voting (2019)
• D2Football.Com's National Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
• Named All-American by the AP, AFCA, D2CCA, D2Football.Com, an Don Hansen Gazette (2019)
• MEC Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
• MEC Athlete of the Year (2019)
• First-Team All-Region by D2CCA and Don Hansen Football Gazette (2019)
• First Team All-MEC (2019)
• Harlon Hill Award Finalist - Finished third in final voting (2018)
• AFCA First Team All-American (2018)
• AP First Team All-American (2018)
• D2CCA First Team All-American (2018)
• Don Hansen FB Gazette All-American (2018)
• Don Hansen FB Gazette Freshman of the Year (2018)
• D2CCA Super Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
• Don Hansen FB Gazette Super Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year/Freshman of the Year (2018)
• D2CCA First Team All-Super Region 1 (2018)
• Don Hansen First Team All-Super Region 1 (2018)
• MEC Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
• MEC Freshman Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
• First Team All-MEC (2018)

Youngstown State All-America running back Jaleel McLaughlin opened the season with 20 carries for 203 yards and three TDs in a 31-14 win over Duquesne.

— FCS Football (@FCS_STATS)