Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is coming off an offseason that dreams are made of. Not only has he fully recovered from last season's injury spell, but he also proudly walked away with a degree from the University of Rutgers, where he laid the foundation for his football journey.
Drafted in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco has since emerged as the Chiefs' primary ball carrier. Graduation holds a special place in Pacheco's heart, not just as a career milestone, but as a family triumph.
"Being the first-generation graduate means the world to my family and me," Pacheco shared on Thursday. "It's a chapter I was determined to complete, and I’m blessed to have achieved it."
After the Chiefs wrapped up their season, Pacheco threw himself into his studies through online classes, as Nick Sloan of ABC News reported. "With the Super Bowl behind us, I really concentrated on my classes, tuned in, and harnessed my mental toughness," Pacheco explained.
"There's this one moment that stuck with me—a classmate, much older than me, showed me age is just a number when chasing goals. If he could do it, so could I."
Rewinding back to his time at Rutgers from 2018 to 2021, Pacheco was a force on the field. In his final year, he stood out by starting all nine games and earned a spot on Phil Steele's Fourth Team All-Big Ten.
With 515 rushing yards on 116 attempts and a knack for turning on the jets—clocking runs upwards of 66 yards—he was a pivotal player with four touchdowns under his belt. His hands were also reliable, pulling in 19 catches for 130 yards, amassing a total of 645 all-purpose yards.
Pacheco's college achievements are a testament to his dual commitment to academia and athletics: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2021, Academic All-Big Ten in the same year, and once again garnering Fourth Team All-Big Ten recognition by Phil Steele in 2020.
Looking ahead to the next NFL season, Pacheco is ready to channel his old college form. While last season saw him return towards the end, his performances were a shadow of his potential—a likely result of a rushed recovery. This time around, after a proper healing period, the Chiefs can expect their running back to bring the heat again.
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