D’Onta Foreman Bio
D’Onta Foreman is an American professional football running back who has built a reputation as a powerful, between-the-tackles runner in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 24, 1996, in Texas City, Texas, Foreman starred at the University of Texas before being selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has since played for the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns, showcasing his resilience through multiple comebacks from injury.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 235 pounds, Foreman combines size with surprising acceleration, making him a bruising presence in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He earned national recognition in 2016 by winning the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in college football and continues to contribute as a rotational back in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
D’Onta Foreman grew up in Texas City, Texas, where he attended Texas City High School and played for the Stingarees football team. He lined up at running back and defensive end, and his combination of speed and physicality quickly made him one of the most productive players in the region. Across his high school career, Foreman rushed for 4,382 yards on 8.2 yards per carry, scoring 61 touchdowns. As a senior in 2013, he exploded for 2,102 yards and 31 touchdowns on 10.4 yards per carry while also contributing 22 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks on defense.
His senior campaign helped lead Texas City to a 12-1 record and a run to the 4A Division II regional playoffs, and he earned first-team All-District 24-4A honors as both a running back and a defensive end. He was also named second-team 4A All-State as a running back by the Associated Press and shared the District 24-4A MVP award with his twin brother, Armanti Foreman. Foreman participated in the 2014 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and was rated among the top running back recruits in the state of Texas before committing to the University of Texas at Austin under head coach Charlie Strong.
Path to American Football
Foreman’s path to collegiate football began with his standout production at Texas City High School, where his dual-threat ability as a rusher and pass-catcher attracted attention from major programs. His selection to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl further validated his status as one of the top running back prospects in his class. By the time he arrived in Austin, he had already demonstrated the rare combination of vision, patience, and finishing power that would define his career.
During his freshman season at Texas in 2014, Foreman appeared in seven games and rushed 15 times for 73 yards, providing a glimpse of his potential. As a sophomore in 2015, he earned more responsibility, playing in 10 games and rushing for 681 yards on 95 carries with five touchdowns. His first collegiate rushing touchdown came against Rice on September 12, 2015, and a season-high 157-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kansas on November 7 cemented his role as a rising star in the Big 12 Conference.
D’Onta Foreman Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
The Houston Texans selected Foreman in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the seventh running back taken that year. He signed a four-year, $3.25 million contract on June 16, 2017, and made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Foreman quickly carved out a role in the Texans’ backfield, recording his first two career touchdowns during a Week 11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. However, on his second touchdown run, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon at the two-yard line and was placed on injured reserve on November 22, 2017, ending his rookie campaign after 10 games and one start.
Foreman opened the 2018 season on the physically unable to perform list as he recovered from the Achilles injury. After being activated on December 4, he returned in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles and caught two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown. On August 4, 2019, the Texans waived Foreman, citing concerns about his work habits and punctuality, beginning a journeyman phase of his career.
Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Foreman was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on August 5, 2019, but his tenure there was short-lived. He was placed on injured reserve on August 19 with a torn bicep and was waived just five days later, forcing him to sit out the entire 2019 season.
After working out for the Tennessee Titans on August 17, 2020, Foreman signed with their practice squad on September 29, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster on October 31 and later promoted for good on November 7. Serving as a backup to Derrick Henry, Foreman appeared in six games and finished the season with 22 carries for 95 yards plus a five-yard touchdown reception, his first overall score since Week 16 of the 2018 season.
Carolina Panthers Era (2021-2022)
Foreman signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 16, 2022, and took on his largest offensive role yet after Christian McCaffrey was traded mid-season. He became the lead back in the Panthers’ rushing attack alongside Chuba Hubbard. During Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Foreman rushed 15 times for 118 yards in a 21-3 victory, and the following week he recorded 26 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
His most explosive performance came in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, when he rushed 21 times for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown in a 37-23 upset win. Foreman set new career highs in 2022 with 203 carries, 914 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns across 17 games and nine starts, establishing himself as a feature back in the NFL.
Chicago Bears Era (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Foreman signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. He was a healthy scratch for four consecutive weeks before taking over as the starting running back in Week 6 following injuries to Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, Foreman delivered 16 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns along with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown in a 30-12 victory, earning FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.
He later produced 21 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown against his former Panthers squad, then added a rushing score against the Detroit Lions. Foreman finished the 2023 season with 109 carries for 425 yards and four rushing touchdowns plus 11 receptions for 77 yards and a receiving score in nine games and eight starts.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024-Present)
On March 22, 2024, Foreman signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he continues to serve as a complementary power back. In 11 games and three starts during the 2024 season, he recorded 71 carries for 232 yards and six receptions for 54 yards, providing physicality in short-yardage packages and contributing on special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Foreman is recognized as a between-the-tackles power runner whose strength lies in breaking tackles and pushing piles forward at the goal line. His 6-foot, 235-pound frame allows him to absorb contact and maintain balance through traffic, while his burst through small creases makes him effective on zone-read concepts. Coaches have consistently praised his vision in identifying cutback lanes and his willingness to finish runs with physicality.
Notable Events and Milestones
Foreman’s 341-yard, three-touchdown performance against Texas Tech on November 5, 2016, remains his most celebrated college highlight and helped seal his Doak Walker Award campaign. In the NFL, his career-high 165-yard outing against the Lions in 2022 and his two-touchdown performance against the Raiders in 2023 stand out as signature moments. He also made history in 2021 when he and Dontrell Hilliard became the first Titans duo to rush for 100 yards in a single game since Chris Johnson and LenDale White in 2008.
D’Onta Foreman Career Wins
Across his time with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns, D’Onta Foreman has established himself as a reliable rotational back capable of delivering impact performances in short stretches. While he has not been a primary lead back for a full season, his production in expanded roles has produced several memorable individual efforts.
NFL Career Highlights
Foreman’s first NFL touchdowns came in a Week 11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2017, while his first rushing touchdown since that injury came during a Week 14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. His 2022 campaign with the Carolina Panthers produced career-high totals across the board, and he added a FedEx Ground Player of the Week honor during his standout Week 7 performance with the Chicago Bears.
Other Performances
In addition to his NFL work, Foreman earned the 2016 Doak Walker Award, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Consensus All-American honors, and First-Team All-Big 12 recognition during his junior season at Texas. His 2,028-yard, 15-touchdown junior year remains one of the most prolific individual rushing seasons in Longhorns history.
D’Onta Foreman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Foreman’s twin brother, Armanti Foreman, played college football as a wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns. The brothers shared the 2013 District 24-4A MVP award together at Texas City High School, and Armanti’s presence alongside D’Onta helped shape the family’s deep football roots.
Personal Life
Foreman became a member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2014 while attending the University of Texas. On April 24, 2017, he publicly revealed that he had been coping with the loss of his infant son in 2016. Foreman continues to focus on his professional career and his contributions on the field.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns, D’Onta Foreman is expected to compete for a complementary role in a backfield that has continued to evolve. After producing 71 carries for 232 yards across 11 games in 2024, he has an opportunity to expand his workload as he familiarizes himself with the Browns’ offensive scheme. His experience in zone and gap schemes across multiple organizations gives him versatility in a committee approach.
Foreman’s value to the Browns in 2025 will likely center on short-yardage and goal-line situations, where his power and finishing ability are most effective. Health will be a key factor, as he has battled Achilles, bicep, and other injuries throughout his career.
If Foreman stays healthy and earns a larger share of touches, his track record of producing productive stretches when given opportunities suggests he can be a meaningful contributor to the Browns’ rushing attack and a steady veteran presence in the locker room.