The 5-foot-6 powerhouse who rewrote the record books
In short: In the NFL, size often dictates destiny. But Tarik Cohen used his 5-foot-6 frame to defy scouts, transforming from an overlooked Division I prospect into a versatile, record-breaking force who could rush, receive, and even throw touchdowns.
Tarik Cohen’s journey began with significant skepticism regarding his physical stature. During his recruitment from Bunn High School in North Carolina, many schools were hesitant to offer scholarships due to his small size. Ultimately, North Carolina A&T was the only Division I program to recruit him. However, Cohen proved his doubters wrong through sheer production. He finished his university years as the MEAC's top career rusher, accumulating 5,619 yards and becoming the first person at his college to exceed 5,000 yards. Before his collegiate dominance, he was a standout athlete at Bunn High School, where he earned team MVP honors and helped his team reach the 2011 playoffs. His early track career was equally impressive, as he secured state championships as part of a 4x100 meter relay team.
His versatility was his hallmark. In the 2017 NFL season, Cohen achieved a rare feat: recording rushing, passing, receiving, and punt return touchdowns in a single season, becoming only the second rookie to do so since Gale Sayers in 1965. His versatility was showcased in a 2018 match versus the New York Giants, when he achieved a unique feat: recording a passing touchdown alongside 150 receiving yards and 30 rushing yards in one game. This incredible versatility was even noted during his time at North Carolina A&T, where he earned the conference's rookie of the year honors during his 2013 season. He also earned the distinction of being the first freshman in the program's history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards.
Despite his explosive talent—including a viral YouTube stint performing backflips while catching footballs—his professional career was frequently interrupted by severe injuries. A devastating 2020 injury involving torn ACL and MCL ligaments, alongside a tibial plateau fracture, sidelined him for an entire season. Even after a period of attempting an NFL comeback in 2023, Cohen officially announced his retirement from professional football on August 1, 2024. His professional life took a heavy physical cost, highlighted by a 2022 training mishap where he ruptured an Achilles tendon while his Instagram was broadcasting live. Following his time with the Bears, he had brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets before his eventual departure from the league.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Tarik Cohen
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