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Dean Russell Connors (born August 29, 2003) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Houston, Connors previously played for the Rice Owls and at Riverside City College.

Early life

Connors attended Murrieta Valley High School in Murrieta, California. As a senior, Connors was named co-MVP of the Southwestern League in leading the Nighthawks to a 3-2 record during an abbreviated season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Coming out of high school, he committed to play college football at Riverside City College.[2]

College career

Riverside CC

In his lone season at Riverside in 2021, he rushed for 516 yards on 107 carries, whereupon the conclusion of the season he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[3]

Rice

Connors transferred to play for the Rice Owls.[4] During his first season with Rice in 2022, he ran 28 times for 128 yards and a touchdown.[5] In Week 2 of the 2023 season, he posted 130 all-purpose yards in a double overtime win over rival Houston.[6] Connors finished the 2023 season with 771 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while bringing in 43 passes for 403 yards and three touchdowns.[7] In Week 3 of the 2024 season, he recorded his team’s lone touchdown in a loss to rival Houston.[8] In the 2024 regular season finale, Connors totaled 131 yards and a touchdown in an upset win versus South Florida.[9] He finished the 2024 season rushing for 780 yards and nine touchdowns while also hauling in 62 receptions for 498 yards and two touchdowns.[10] After the conclusion of the 2024 season, Connors decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[11]

Houston

Connors transferred to play for the Houston Cougars.[12] In Week 2 of the 2025 season, he put up 132 yards and two touchdowns in a win against rival Rice.[13] Connors capped off his 2025 season with a dominant performance in the Texas Bowl. Connors completed the game with 126 yards on 16 carries and one rushing touchdown.[14] Connors finished the 2025 season with a total of 1,231 all purpose yards, six rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.[15]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+3⁄8 in
(1.81 m)		 206 lb
(93 kg)		 29+5⁄8 in
(0.75 m)		 9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		 4.48 s 1.57 s 2.51 s 4.29 s 6.95 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		 21 reps
All values from Pro Day[16]

After going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, on April 28, 2026 the Los Angeles Rams signed Connors as an undrafted free agent.[17]

References

  1. ^ Raineri, PJ (May 22, 2021). “2021 All-Southwestern League football teams announced”. My Valley News. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ^ Duarte, Joseph (April 30, 2025). “‘I’m a Cougar now.’ Running back Dean Connors explains his transfer from Rice to UH”. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  3. ^ Ortiz, Kathleen. “10 things to know about UH transfer Dean Connors, former Rice University running back”. The Rice Thresher. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Bartlett, Matthew (October 15, 2021). “Rice Football Recruiting: 2022 JUCO RB Dean Connors commits to Owls”. At The Roost. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  5. ^ Bartlett, Matthew (January 17, 2024). “Rice Football 2023 Rising Star: Dean Connors”. At The Roost. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  6. ^ Duarte, Joseph. “Both sides now: Dean Connors to become first to play for Houston and Rice in Bayou Bucket”. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  7. ^ Yates, Carter (August 18, 2024). “Lone Star 50: Rice football may build the entire plane out of Dean Connors”. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  8. ^ Beaubien, Greyson (September 5, 2025). “Bayou Bucket: University of Houston running back to face former teammates at Rice in rivalry game”. Houston Public Media. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  9. ^ Helwick, Steve (March 25, 2025). “Dean Connors aims to make most of extra eligibility on other side of Bayou Bucket”. Underdog Dynasty. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  10. ^ Johnson, David. “Ole Miss kicking tires on Rice transfer running back Dean Connors”. 247Sports. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  11. ^ Helwick, Steve (December 27, 2024). “Rice RB Dean Connors enters transfer portal after JUCO ruling”. Underdog Dynasty. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  12. ^ Helwick, Steve (January 7, 2025). “Houston adds RB Dean Connors from crosstown rival Rice”. Underdog Dynasty. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  13. ^ Raley, Aaron. “Willie Fritz Praises ‘Productive’ Running Back Dean Connors”. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  14. ^ “Houston Cougars Senior Ends Season With Exclamation Point in Texas Bowl”. Houston Cougars On SI. December 28, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  15. ^ “Dean Connors 2025 Stats per Game – NCAAF”. ESPN. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  16. ^ “Dean Connors College Football Profile”. DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  17. ^ Jackson, Stu (April 28, 2026). “Rams agree to terms with 18 undrafted free agents”. TheRams.com. Retrieved April 30, 2026.