Hassan Haskins

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    Image of Player Hassan Haskins

    Hassan Haskins Bio

    Hassan Askiali Haskins Jr., commonly known as Hassan Haskins, is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 26, 1999, he first gained national attention as a standout at the University of Michigan, where he was named a second-team All-American in 2021. Haskins was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft and has since built a reputation as a physical, between-the-tackles runner with reliable hands and special-teams value.

    Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 228 pounds, Haskins combines size with surprising agility, making him a dependable short-yardage and goal-line option. After two seasons in Tennessee, he joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and has continued to contribute as a complementary back and core special-teams player.

    Early Life and Background

    Hassan Haskins Jr. was born on November 26, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in nearby Eureka, Missouri, where he attended Eureka High School and emerged as a multi-sport athlete. In addition to football, Haskins competed in basketball and track and field, showcasing the kind of all-around athleticism that would later define his professional profile.

    As a senior on the football team, Haskins carried the ball 255 times for 2,197 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns, adding two receiving scores and nine sacks on defense. He also contributed on defense with two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a 50-yard touchdown. On the basketball court, he led his team in blocks and steals while averaging 8.1 points per game, and he placed second in the high jump at the 2017 MSHSAA Class 5 State Championship, clearing 6 feet 7 inches.

    Despite those impressive numbers, Haskins was lightly recruited by Power Five football programs, in part because he ran a 4.74-second 40-yard dash. He was ranked as the nation’s 82nd-best running back and 975th overall recruit in his class. Haskins committed to Michigan on October 29, 2017, as a three-star running back, and signed with the Wolverines as a developmental prospect with significant upside.

    Path to American Football

    Haskins arrived at Michigan as a raw but talented running back, and the coaching staff initially asked him to switch to linebacker during his redshirt freshman year. The move gave him a deeper understanding of defensive schemes and running-lane geometry, lessons that would later sharpen his instincts as a runner. When Karan Higdon graduated and Chris Evans was suspended in 2019, Haskins returned to his natural position and quickly earned a larger role.

    His breakthrough came on October 12, 2019, against Illinois, when he carried 12 times for 125 yards and scored his first collegiate touchdown. Two weeks later, he delivered a 149-yard performance against Notre Dame in his first collegiate start, featuring a 49-yard rush. Haskins finished the 2019 season with 121 carries for 622 yards and four touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable contributor in a deep Wolverines backfield.

    By his senior season in 2021, Haskins had become the focal point of Michigan’s offense. He recorded five rushing touchdowns in a victory over Ohio State on November 27, 2021, and finished the regular season with 1,232 rushing yards on 244 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt. He tied for second in program history at the time with 18 single-season rushing touchdowns and was named first-team All-Big Ten and a second-team All-American by the AFCA. After adding two more scores in the Big Ten Championship, he set a then-program record with 20 rushing touchdowns in a single season.

    Hassan Haskins Career

    Early Career (2019–2021)

    Haskins spent his first two college seasons in a reserve role, splitting carries and contributing on special teams. After his return to running back in 2019, he gradually built trust with the coaching staff and earned a starting role by his junior campaign. His development culminated in a record-setting 2021 senior season in which he became the offensive engine for a Michigan team that reached the Big Ten Championship.

    During his time in Ann Arbor, Haskins carried the ball 443 times from 2019 to 2021 without a single fumble, the most such touches without a fumble in college football over that span. That ball-security record, combined with his 20-touchdown senior year, helped push his draft stock into the early rounds of the 2022 NFL draft.

    Tennessee Titans (2022–2023)

    Haskins was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round, 131st overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. As a rookie, he served primarily as a backup and special-teams contributor, but he was pressed into a larger role late in the season when starter Derrick Henry dealt with injuries. On December 29, 2022, Haskins rushed 12 times for 40 yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards during a 27-13 Week 17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, showing he could handle a feature workload.

    His second season in Tennessee was disrupted by off-field issues and injuries. On August 28, 2023, Haskins was placed on injured reserve, and the next day he was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List following an arrest in June 2023 stemming from an alleged domestic dispute. He was eventually waived by the Titans on August 27, 2024, ending his time in Tennessee after two seasons.

    Los Angeles Chargers (2024–Present)

    On August 28, 2024, Haskins was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers, giving him a fresh start in the AFC West. In the 2024 season, he recorded two rushing touchdowns while mainly playing on special teams, although he earned an expanded offensive role as the year progressed. His physical running style and reliability in protection made him a trusted short-yardage option for the Chargers coaching staff.

    Heading into 2025, Haskins began the season as one of Los Angeles’ auxiliary running backs behind starter JK Dobbins and fellow backup Kimani Vidal. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve on November 1, 2025. Haskins was activated on December 8, ahead of the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, and returned to his role as a complementary runner and core special-teams player.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Haskins is known for a north-south, power-running style built on leg drive, pad level, and physicality at the point of attack. He excels in short-yardage and goal-line situations, where his 228-pound frame helps him push piles and finish runs. Haskins also draws praise for his pass-blocking reliability and sure hands out of the backfield, traits that have helped him carve out a steady role on special teams.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Among Haskins’ signature achievements are his 2021 All-American season at Michigan, his 20-touchdown program record, and his remarkable 443-carry streak without a fumble in college. In the NFL, he scored his first two professional touchdowns during the 2024 season with the Chargers, and he has appeared in playoff-contending rotations with both Tennessee and Los Angeles.

    Hassan Haskins Career Wins

    While Hassan Haskins is a running back rather than a racecar driver, his career is measured in touchdowns, team victories, and individual accolades rather than checkered flags. Across his college and professional tenure, he has racked up more than 25 rushing touchdowns and earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors along the way.

    Michigan Wolverines Highlights

    During his three seasons as a featured back at Michigan, Haskins racked up 20 rushing touchdowns in 2021 alone, setting a single-season program record at the time. He posted 1,232 rushing yards on 244 carries that year, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt, and recorded a five-touchdown performance against Ohio State that helped the Wolverines capture a key rivalry win.

    NFL Highlights

    In the NFL, Haskins has served as a complementary back and special-teams contributor for the Titans and Chargers. He recorded two rushing touchdowns in 2024 with Los Angeles and added a Week 14 return from injured reserve in 2025 to continue contributing in the Chargers’ backfield.

    Hassan Haskins Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Football runs in the Haskins family. His older brother, Maurice Alexander, was drafted in the fourth round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL draft, giving Hassan an early role model for what it takes to reach the professional level. Growing up in a competitive household in the St. Louis area helped shape his work ethic and physical approach to the game.

    Personal Life

    Haskins was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and has continued to be closely tied to that community throughout his career. Details about his marital status and children have not been publicly confirmed. His off-field life has occasionally made headlines, including a June 2023 arrest in Davidson County related to an alleged domestic dispute, after which he was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and released on a $10,000 bond.

    2025 Season Performance

    The 2025 season represented another chapter of growth for Hassan Haskins with the Los Angeles Chargers. He entered the year as one of the team’s auxiliary running backs, working behind JK Dobbins and alongside Kimani Vidal in a deep backfield rotation. His primary contributions came on special teams, where his tackling and reliability earned him a steady role on coverage units.

    His season was interrupted in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, when a hamstring injury forced him to injured reserve on November 1, 2025. Haskins missed several weeks of action but returned to the active roster on December 8, ahead of the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. His comeback came at a critical juncture of the season as the Chargers pushed for playoff positioning.

    Looking ahead, Haskins remains a valuable depth piece for Los Angeles heading into the postseason and beyond. His combination of short-yardage power, pass protection, and special-teams toughness gives the Chargers a versatile option in the backfield, and his experience in big games from his Michigan days continues to shape his professional trajectory.