On Tuesday, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Philadelphia Eagles are releasing running back Trey Sermon. Sermon joined the Eagles in September 2022 after being released by the San Francisco 49ers. He recorded just two carries last season for the team.
Sermon’s release might come as a surprise after a solid preseason. In three games, Sermon boasted 30 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded six receptions for 49 yards. Sermon recorded just one fumble during the 2023 preseason.
Sermon was initally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 88 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, the 6-foot running back appeared in nine games, recording two starts. In his limited time, Sermon recorded 41 rushes for 167 yards and a touchdown.
Despite Sermon’s relative success, the 49ers released Sermon in August last year. Sermon never faced such issues in college. He spent his first three seasons at Oklahoma, tallying 2,076 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Although Sermon was successful with the Sooners, he opted to transfer to Ohio State for the 2020 season.
The change of scenery didn’t slow down Sermon’s momentum. The Georgia native collected 870 yards and four TDs in his lone season with the Buckeyes. Further, Sermon averaged 7.5 yards per carry. Sermon’s time at Ohio State was highlighted by his 331 rushing yards in the Big Ten Championship game against Northwestern.
Sermon was a four-star recruit out of Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Further, he was the No. 18 overall recruit in the state and the No. 16 running back in the Class of 2017.
Former praise for Trey Sermon from Eagles head coach
The reality is even more painful for Sermon considering the previous praise he received from Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
“Trey Sermon, I’m really excited about him,” Sirianni told reporters covering the league meetings at the Phoenix Biltmore Hotel, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Trey didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his talents except for that game against Jacksonville.
“But I can’t tell you how many times at practice he made a cut or you just saw him in his pads or he made a play on a screen or whatever it was and you’re like, ‘Man, this guy has a chance to be really good.’”
Sermon will no longer have that chance while with the Eagles. At 24 years old, Sermon will search for his third home in the NFL.
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