Jeff Demps

{{Short description|American football player and sprinter (born 1990)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Jeff Demps

| image = Jeff Demps 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Demps in 2018

| current_team =

| number = 42, 32

| position = Running back

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|1|8|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Winter Garden, Florida, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| high_school = South Lake
(Groveland, Florida)

| college = Florida

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 7

| weight_lbs = 191

| undraftedyear = 2012

| pastteams =

New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2012}})
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})*

| status =

| highlights =

BCS national champion (2009)

| statleague = NFL

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts

| statvalue1 = 1

| statlabel2 = Rushing yards

| statvalue2 = 14

| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns

| statvalue3 =

| statlabel4 = Receptions

| statvalue4 = 3

| statlabel5 = Receiving yards

| statvalue5 = 21

| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue6 =

|pfr=DempJe00

}}

Jeffery Barnard Demps (born January 8, 1990) is an American former track and field athlete and professional football running back. He attended the University of Florida, where he was a running back for the Florida Gators football team and a sprinter for the Florida Gators track and field team.

He is the only Florida Gator athlete to have won national championships in two sports with his 2009 BCS National Championship and multiple indoor and outdoor track titles over his four-year career.{{cite web|title=Jeff Demps: 2011 Football Roster|url=http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2011&player_id=181|publisher=University of Florida|access-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004153959/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2011&player_id=181|archive-date=October 4, 2012|url-status=dead}} Demps matched the 100 meters world junior record with a time of 10.01 seconds in June 2008.{{Cite news |url=http://www.postindependent.com/article/20080630/SPORTS/717391452/1075 |title=Records tumbling at U.S. Olympic track trials |newspaper=Glenwood Springs Post Independent |first=Blake |last=Risner |date=June 30, 2008 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307131327/http://www.postindependent.com/article/20080630/SPORTS/717391452/1075 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In January 2012, Demps decided to focus on the 2012 United States Olympic Trials instead of the 2012 NFL draft, pursuing a career in track rather than professional football.{{cite news |url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=22110 |title=Demps Running Track for Gators and Plans to Pursue Olympics and Pro Career Instead of NFL |date=January 12, 2012 |work=GatorZone.com |first=Scott |last=Carter |access-date=January 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050120/http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=22110 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Demps signed a contract with the NFL's New England Patriots on August 17, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19304639/2012/08/17/olympic-medalist-demps-opts-for-patriots-over-bucs|title=Tampa Bay news, weather forecast, radar, and sports from WTVT-TV - FOX 13 News - FOX 13 Tampa Bay|last=FOX|website=FOX13news|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725155918/http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19304639/2012/08/17/olympic-medalist-demps-opts-for-patriots-over-bucs|url-status=dead}} He was a running back for the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Indianapolis Colts. He only had regular season playing time with the Buccaneers.

Early life

Demps attended South Lake High School in Groveland, Florida, where he was a second-team Class 4A all-state selection at running back, gaining 1,401 yards on the ground, along with 16 touchdowns on 157 carries during his senior year. As a junior, he rushed for 21 touchdowns and 1,761 yards on 170 carries, earning second-team all-state Class 3A selection honors. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Demps was listed as the No. 36 football prospect from the state of Florida in 2008.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-1853 |title=Florida Top 100 2008 |work=Rivals.com |date=January 30, 2008 }}

In track, he ran the 100 meters at the Florida state final, the fastest time recorded at that event at 10.37 seconds. He also clocked a 10.25 at the AAU Junior Olympics, the second-fastest time ever in the state and the fastest clocking recorded by a high school senior that year. Competing at the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials, Demps set a new national high school record with 10.01 seconds, beating J-Mee Samuels' 10.08 seconds. His time also equaled the 100 meters world junior record, originally established by Darrel Brown in 2003.

College career

=Football=

File:Jeff Demps (November 28, 2009).jpg in 2009]]

Demps played a key role in Florida's third national title season, rushing 78 times for 605 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry as a freshman. During his sophomore season Demps rushed for a career high 745 yards on 99 carries and 7 scores. He also averaged 7.5 yards a carry that season. During his junior season, Demps battled several injuries which caused him to rush for a career low 551 yards on 92 carries and 3 touchdowns. as a senior, Jeff Demps rushed for 569 yards on 98 carries and 6 touchdowns. This included a career long 84-yard touchdown score against Kentucky.

=Statistics=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Stat ! Carries ! Yards ! Average ! TD
style="text-align:center;" \| 2008 \| Rushing \| 78 \| 605 \| 7.8 \| 7
style="text-align:center;" \| 2009 \| Rushing \| 99 \| 745 \| 7.5 \| 7
style="text-align:center;" \| 2010 \| Rushing \| 92 \| 551 \| 6.0 \| 3
style="text-align:center;" \| 2011 \| Rushing \| 98 \| 569 \| 5.8 \| 6

class="wikitable"

Year

! Stat

! Carries

! Yards

! Average

! TD

style="text-align:center;"

| 2008

| Rushing

| 78

| 605

| 7.8

| 7

style="text-align:center;"

| 2009

| Rushing

| 99

| 745

| 7.5

| 7

style="text-align:center;"

| 2010

| Rushing

| 92

| 551

| 6.0

| 3

style="text-align:center;"

| 2011

| Rushing

| 98

| 569

| 5.8

| 6

=Track and field=

{{MedalCountry |the {{USA}} }}

In 2009, Demps competed in four outdoor meets for the Gators' track and field team. He ran the anchor leg of Florida's SEC Championship 4 × 100 m relay team (alongside Jeremy Hall, Calvin Smith Jr., and Terrell Wilks), which recorded the third-fastest time in school history (38.74) and won Florida's first the 4×100-meter relay title since the 2004 season. Following an injury, Demps only ran a 10.30 over 100 meters at the SEC Championships, placing him ninth overall. At the War Eagle Invitational, Demps helped the Gators win the 4×100-meter relay.

In March 2010, Demps won the 60 meters in 6.56 seconds at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Three months later at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, he beat favored Rondel Sorrillo by a margin of .13 seconds, claiming the school's first 100-meter NCAA title since Bernard Williams won in 2000. Demps' time of 9.96 would have been a new school record had the race not been heavily wind-aided (+2.5 m/s).{{Cite news |url=http://www.gatorcountry.com/other_sports/article/demps_wins_in_996_kevkhishvili_repeats/9316 |title=Demps wins in 9.96; Kevkhishvili repeats |work=Florida Gators Country |date=June 11, 2010 }} He claimed the 2012 NCAA Indoor title over 60 meters with a personal best run of 6.52 in the heats, then time of 6.56 seconds to win the final.Dunaway, James (March 12, 2012). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=64362.html Florida and Oregon on top - NCAA Indoors ]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-03-22. At the 85th Texas Relays in March 2012, Demps won the 100 metres in the university group, ahead of Aaron Ernest of LSU.{{cite web |author=Special to Gatorsports.com |url=http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20120331/ARTICLES/120339928 |title=Jeff Demps claimed the men's 100 meters university crown |publisher=Gatorsports.com |date=March 31, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407221010/http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20120331/ARTICLES/120339928 |archive-date=April 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

On July 25, 2012, Demps was added to the 2012 U.S. Olympic roster as a member of the 4×100 meter relay pool, serving as a replacement for Mike Rodgers, who suffered a stress fracture in his left foot.{{cite web |author=Special to Gatorsports.com |url=http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20120724/ARTICLES/120729808 |title=Demps added to Olympics roster |publisher=Gatorsports.com |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731013752/http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20120724/ARTICLES/120729808 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }} He raced the first leg of the preliminary second heat and helped the U.S. 4×100 relay team achieve a time of the 37.38 seconds, which was the fastest time of the preliminary round and broke a 20-year-old American record.{{cite news|title=USA, Jamaica roar into men's 4x100 final with blazing times|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/track/story/2012-08-10/olympics-track-relays/56938190/1|publisher=USA Today|access-date=August 11, 2012|date=August 10, 2012}} The team would go on to win a silver medal in the final round with Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey instead of Demps and preliminary teammate Darvis Patton, but as part of the team, Demps still received a medal.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=JR|title=Former Gator Jeff Demps won't be part Olympic relay final|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-11/sports/os-gator-jeff-demps-olympics-relay-0811_1_jeff-demps-usain-bolt-tyson-gay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090612/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-11/sports/os-gator-jeff-demps-olympics-relay-0811_1_jeff-demps-usain-bolt-tyson-gay|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2015|access-date=August 11, 2012|newspaper=Orland Sentinel|date=August 11, 2012}} The medal was later stripped, after Gay admitted to using a banned substance.{{cite web | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11448647 | title=Should you be stripped of medal when a teammate dopes? | publisher=New Zealand Herald | date=May 14, 2015 | access-date=May 14, 2015}} Demps is still competing at a high level to this day. During the 2018 season, Demps has won the Cayman Invitational and the Bermuda Invitational track meets both in the 100m. He also placed 6th in the USATF National Championships with a time of 10.02 seconds.

==Personal bests==

class="wikitable"
Event !Time (seconds) !Venue !Date
60 meters \|6.52{{cite web\|url=https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/jeffery-demps-228425\|title=IAAF: Jeffery Demps - Profile\|website=iaaf.org}} \|Nampa, Idaho \|March 9, 2012
100 meters \|10.01 \|Eugene, Oregon \|June 28, 2008
200 meters \|21.04 \|Sanford, Florida \|April 6, 2012

class="wikitable"

Event

!Time (seconds)

!Venue

!Date

60 meters

|6.52{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/jeffery-demps-228425|title=IAAF: Jeffery Demps - Profile|website=iaaf.org}}

|Nampa, Idaho

|March 9, 2012

100 meters

|10.01

|Eugene, Oregon

|June 28, 2008

200 meters

|21.04

|Sanford, Florida

|April 6, 2012

Professional career

=New England Patriots=

Demps skipped the 2012 NFL Combine and Draft in favor of preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, he attracted interest from NFL teams after the Olympics, and agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the New England Patriots on August 17, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19815237/report-silver-medalist-jeff-demps-to-sign-with-patriots|title=Report: Silver medalist Jeff Demps to sign with Patriots}} On August 31, 2012, he was placed on injured reserve and thus missed the entire 2012 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-place-olympian-jeff-demps-on-injured-reserve-0ap1000000057344|title=Patriots place Olympian Jeff Demps on injured reserve|website=NFL.com }}

=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=

On April 27, 2013, the Patriots traded Demps to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with a seventh-round selection (229th overall) in the 2013 NFL draft for running back LeGarrette Blount.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/9218377/2013-nfl-draft-tampa-bay-buccaneers-trade-legarrette-blount-new-england-patriots |title=LeGarrette Blount dealt to Pats |last1=Reiss |first1=Mike |date=April 27, 2013 |publisher=ESPNBoston.com |access-date=April 27, 2013}} Demps was released by the Buccaneers on August 30, 2014, as part of the final roster cuts. On August 31, 2014, Jeff Demps was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad.

=Indianapolis Colts=

Demps signed with the Indianapolis Colts on October 21, 2014.{{cite web|last1=White|first1=R.J.|title=Colts add Jeff Demps, Konrad Reuland to practice squad|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/update/24762359/colts-add-jeff-demps-konrad-reuland-to-practice-squad|work=CBS Sports|date=October 21, 2014 |access-date=October 21, 2014}} He was released on October 29,{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/29/3508963_scoreboard-oct-30.html?rh=1|title=Scoreboard: Oct. 30|work=kentucky.com|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}} and re-signed on November 25.{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/25/colts-practice-squad-adds-griff-whalen-sprinter-jeff-demps/related/|title=Colts' practice squad adds Griff Whalen, sprinter Jeff Demps|last=Smith|first=Michael David|work=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=November 25, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225918/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/25/colts-practice-squad-adds-griff-whalen-sprinter-jeff-demps/related/|url-status=dead}} Demps was waived on May 4, 2015.

Personal life

Demps' cousin is New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley.{{Cite web|title=5 things to know about new Jets WR Malachi Corley|url=https://jetswire.usatoday.com/lists/jets-draft-5-things-to-know-malachi-corley/|access-date=September 20, 2024|website=jetswire.usatoday.com|date=April 27, 2024 |language=en}}

References

External links

{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008114034/http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/roster/Jeff-Demps/0e7de2bf-d7b5-46a7-a0cc-e1182a6bfb57 |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio |date=mdy}}
{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004153959/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2011&player_id=181 |title=Florida Gators football bio |date=mdy}}
[https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/?athID=52658 Jeff Demps] at DyeStat
{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051153/http://www.gatorzone.com/trackfield/men/bios.php?year=2012&player_id=93 |title=Florida Gators track and field bio |date=mdy}}
{{World Athletics}}
{{USATF|Jeff-Demps|archive=20220925090425}}
{{Team USA|new_id=jeff-demps|old_id=DE/Jeff-Demps|archive=20230417093844}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Olympics.com|jeffery-demps|Jeffery Demps}}