Bo Melton
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Bo Melton
| currentteam = Green Bay Packers
| number = 80
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|5|18}}
| birth_place = Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 189
| high_school = Cedar Creek {{avoid wrap|(Egg Harbor City)}}
| college = Rutgers (2017–2021)
| draftyear = 2022
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 229
| pastteams =
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)
| status = Active
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 24
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 309
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Rushing yards
| statvalue4 = 75
| pfr = MeltBo00
}}
Miles Bokeem Melton (born May 18, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Early life
Melton grew up in Mays Landing, New Jersey and attended Cedar Creek High School.{{Cite web |last=Fonseca |first=Brian |date=March 2, 2022 |title=NFL Combine 2022: Rutgers star Bo Melton will 'play anywhere' on field |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2022/03/nfl-combine-2022-rutgers-star-bo-melton-will-play-anywhere-on-field.html |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=NJ.com}} As a senior, Melton caught 51 receptions for 766 yards and nine touchdowns and also rushed for 451 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Bill |date=February 1, 2017 |title=Bo Melton, Owen Bowles of Cedar Creek sign to play football for Rutgers on National Signing Day |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2017/02/bo_melton_owen_bowles_of_cedar_creek_sign_to_play.html |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=NJ.com}} He was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Rutgers from over 30 scholarship offers, including Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Maryland, and Pitt.{{Cite web |last=McGarry |first=Michael |date=April 16, 2016 |title=Cedar Creek football star Bo Melton commits to Rutgers |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/cedar-creek-football-star-bo-melton-commits-to-rutgers/article_9df3f1b0-036d-11e6-9a09-cfb2bafb5f2a.html |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=The Press of Atlantic City}}{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Todderick |date=April 16, 2016 |title=4-star N.J. WR legacy Bo Melton stays home, commits to Rutgers |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2016/04/4-star_nj_wr_bo_melton_stays_home_commits_to_rutge.html |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=NJ.com}}
College career
Melton played in 11 games as a freshman and had four receptions for 83 yards.{{Cite web |last=Nalwasky |first=Chris |date=July 19, 2018 |title=Breaking down Bo Melton's three-touchdown Scarlet-White game |url=https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/breaking-down-bo-melton-s-three-touchdown-scarlet-white-game/ |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Rivals.com}} He played in all 12 of Rutgers' games and caught 28 passes for 245 yards in his sophomore season.{{Cite web |last=Sargeant |first=Keith |date=April 9, 2019 |title=Why did Rutgers' wide receivers struggle last season? Lester Erb has an answer that should give fans hope for a big improvement in 2019 |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2019/04/why-did-rutgers-wide-receivers-struggle-last-season-lester-erb-has-an-answer-that-should-give-fans-hope-for-a-big-improvement-in-2019.html |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=NJ.com}} As a junior, Melton led the Scarlet Knights with 30 receptions and 427 receiving yards and caught two touchdown passes.{{Cite web |last=Sargeant |first=Keith |date=October 20, 2020 |title=Here's the stat that shows how valuable Bo Melton is to Rutgers' offense |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2020/10/heres-the-stat-that-shows-how-valuable-bo-melton-is-to-rutgers-offense.html |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=NJ.com}} In 2020, he again led the team with 47 catches and 638 receiving yards with six touchdown receptions and also rushed for two touchdowns and scored on a punt return.{{Cite web |last=Sargeant |first=Keith |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Rutgers loses to Ohio State: Bigger concern is injury to star wide receiver Bo Melton |url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2021/10/rutgers-loses-to-ohio-state-bigger-concern-is-injury-to-star-wide-receiver-bo-melton.html |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=NJ.com}} Melton decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and return to Rutgers for a fifth season. He caught a career high 55 passes for 618 yards and three touchdowns in his final season.{{Cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Art |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Bo Melton NFL Combine results: 40-yard dash times wow teams |url=https://www.app.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2022/03/03/rutgers-bo-melton-knows-nfl-combine-gridiron-dream/9349587002/ |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Asbury Park Press}} After the conclusion of his college career, Melton played in the 2022 Senior Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Zangaro |first=Dave |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Draft Journey: Rutgers' Melton impressing at Senior Bowl |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/nfl-draft-journey-rutgers-bo-melton-impressing-senior-bowl |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=NBC Sports Philadelphia}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11
| weight = 189
| dash = 4.34
| ten split = 1.50
| twenty split = 2.54
| shuttle = 4.10
| cone drill = 6.81
| vertical = 38.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 18
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 9
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Bo Melton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/bo-melton/32004d45-4c57-5431-1061-b314a42762bf |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2022 Draft Scout Bo Melton, Rutgers NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1023071&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
Melton was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 229th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |last2=Kinsinger |first2=Graham |date=April 30, 2022 |title=Seahawks Select Rutgers WR Bo Melton With 229th Overall Pick |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/bo-melton-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rutgers |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}} He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Establish Initial 2022 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-make-roster-moves-establish-initial-2022-53-man-roster |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Seahawks Sign 12 To Practice Squad |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-12-to-practice-squad |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}
=Green Bay Packers=
On December 27, 2022, Melton was signed to the active roster of the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Packers sign WR Bo Melton to active roster |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-wr-bo-melton-to-active-roster |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=packers.com}}
Melton was released on August 29, 2023, following final roster cuts and was signed to the Packers' practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Packers announce roster moves |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-2023-nfl-season |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=Packers.com}}{{Cite web |title=Packers sign 16 players to practice squad |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-16-players-to-practice-squad-2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |publisher=packers.com}} He was signed to the active roster on November 22.{{Cite web |title=Packers sign WR Bo Melton, RB James Robinson to active roster |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-wr-bo-melton-rb-james-robinson-to-active-roster-2023 |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=packers.com}} Five days later, he was released.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2023 |title=Packers announce roster moves |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-nov-27-2023 |website=Packers.com}} Melton was re-signed to the practice squad on November 29.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Zach |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Packers bring back WR Bo Melton, RB James Robinson on practice squad |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/29/packers-bring-back-wr-bo-melton-rb-james-robinson-on-practice-squad/ |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=Packers Wire|publisher=USA Today}} He was elevated to the active roster for Week 16 and 17 in December 2023.{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2023 |title=Packers elevate WR Bo Melton and S Benny Sapp III for gameday |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-elevate-wr-bo-melton-and-s-benny-sapp-iii-for-gameday-week-16 |website=Packers.com}}{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2023 |title=Packers sign S Benny Sapp III to active roster |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-s-benny-sapp-iii-to-active-roster-week-17-2023 |website=Packers.com}} On December 31, 2023, he had a breakout game against the Minnesota Vikings with six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.{{cite web | last=Hodkiewicz | first=Wes | title=Game notes: Bo Melton’s perseverance rewarded with first NFL TD, 100-yard day | website=Packers.com| date=2024-01-01 | url=https://www.packers.com/news/game-notes-bo-melton-s-perseverance-rewarded-with-first-nfl-td-100-yard-day | access-date=2024-11-03}} Melton was signed to the active roster the following day.{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Packers sign WR Bo Melton to active roster |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-wr-bo-melton-to-active-roster-230101 |access-date=January 1, 2024 |website=Packers.com}}
In the Packers' divisional round matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Melton caught his only target for a 19-yard touchdown reception.{{Cite web |last=Easterling |first=Luke |date=2024-01-20 |title=7th-Round Steal Bo Melton Making a Splash for Packers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-playoffs-green-bay-packers-bo-melton-nfl-draft |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving ! colspan="2" |Fumbles | ||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GB
| 5 || 1 || 16 || 218 || 13.6 || 37 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2024 | GB
| 17 || 0 || 8 || 91 || 11.4 || 28 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| colspan="2" |Total || 22 || 1 || 24 || 309 || 12.9 || 37 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="11"|Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeltBo00.htm pro-football-reference.com] |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving ! colspan="2" |Fumbles | ||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GB
| 2 || 0 || 2 || 26 || 13.0 || 19 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| colspan="2" |Total || 2 || 0 || 2 || 26 || 13.0 || 19 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="11"|Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeltBo00/gamelog/post/ pro-football-reference.com] |
Personal life
Melton is a Christian.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Ethan |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Bo Melton – Him Through Me |url=https://hishuddle.com/2022/04/25/bo-melton/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=His Huddle}} Melton's father, Gary, played football at Rutgers and his mother, Vicky, played on the women's basketball team. His younger brother, Max, is currently a defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Mulranen |first=Patrick |date=May 7, 2021 |title=Rutgers, Melton brothers well-represented on Black Horse Pike |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/college/rutgers-melton-brothers-well-represented-on-black-horse-pike/article_0e9fbdda-c5e1-528a-bdc1-7462ea82db14.html |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=The Press of Atlantic City}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=34185|espn=4259305|nfl=bo-melton}}
- [https://www.packers.com/team/players-roster/bo-melton/ Green Bay Packers bio]
- [https://scarletknights.com/sports/football/roster/bo-melton/10359 Rutgers Scarlet Knights bio]
{{Green Bay Packers roster navbox}}
{{Seahawks2022DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melton, Bo}}
Category:Players of American football from Atlantic County, New Jersey
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players
Category:People from Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey