2006: Finished the season ranking 10th in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game and had a league-best 8.2 yards per carry for the season ... Recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of the season with 113 yards on only five carries vs. Northwestern.

2005: Played in 10 games at running back, rushing for 218 yards on 48 carries ... Posted 64 yards rushing on 11 carries in his debut against San Jose State ... Registered 80 all-purpose yards that game with the addition of 16 yards receiving.

High School: Rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Illinois by Scout.com ... A five-star prospect by Scout.com … Ranked the nation's 24th-best recruit by Scout.com … The sixth-highest rated running back in the nation by Scout.com ... Participated in the Fifth Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... As a junior, rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 11.6 yards per carry ... Recorded 1,300 yards and 21 scores as a sophomore ... Verbally committed to Illinois as a junior ... Also had over 1,000 career yards receiving and 13 touchdown catches ... Was a three-year All-Central Suburban Conference selection for football and two-time pick for track ... Named to all-state teams as a junior in both football and track ... An all-area selection for both sports as a sophomore and during his junior year for football ... Was the Outstanding Performer at the Illinois Prep Top-Times meet as a junior ... Finished seventh in the state 100-meter dash as a sophomore ... Also lettered in basketball ... High school football coach was Mark Egofske.

Personal: Full name is Rashard Jamal Mendenhall ... Son of Walter and Sibyl Mendenhall ... Born on June 19, 1987 ... Older brother, Walter, is also a member of the Illini football team ... Majoring in sport management ... Would like to pursue a career in graphic design.