Nick Mullens

Nicholas Clayton Mullens (born March 21, 1995) is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where he surpassed Brett Favre's single-season record for passing yardage (4,476) and touchdown passes (38).

For the British sports journalist, see Nick Mullins.
Nick Mullens
Mullens with the 49ers in 2020
No. 4 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1995-03-21) March 21, 1995
Little Rock, Arkansas
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Spain Park (Hoover, Alabama)
College:Southern Miss
Undrafted:2017
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Second Team All-C-USA (2015)
  • C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Passing completions:387
Passing attempts:600
Percentage:64.5
Passing yards:4,714
TD–INT:25–22
Passer rating:87.2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life

Mullens was born to Suzanne and Mark Mullens on March 21, 1995 in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. He is the grandson of Ernie Tabor, who was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950s.[1] His uncle, Scott Tabor, pitched for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team and holds the record for most career wins. He graduated from Spain Park High School in Hoover.[2]

High school career

Mullens played football for Spain Park, emerging as the team's starting quarterback.[3] During his senior season, 2012, Mullens threw for 3,649 yards and 40 touchdowns, against only seven interceptions, en route to winning the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state of Alabama.[4] He had totaled 8,605 career passing yards, finishing his high school career with the 7th most passing yards in AHSAA history, to go along with 40 passing touchdowns.[5]

After originally verbally committing to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mullens changed course on national signing day following a last-minute visit to the University of Southern Mississippi, signing instead with the Golden Eagles.[4]

College career

After starting the 2013 season with a 0–6 record, mired in an 18-game losing streak, Southern Miss head coach Todd Monken inserted true freshman Mullens as a starter for game seven, a home game against the North Texas Mean Green.[6] The young team was overmatched by North Texas, however, suffering a 55–14 loss in which Mullens went 12-for-31 passing for 210 yards and one touchdown,[7] while suffering three interceptions and a lost fumble.[8]

In his second collegiate game, a loss to Marshall, Mullens became the first true freshman starting quarterback in Southern Miss history to pass for more than 300 yards in a single game, a feat never accomplished during his freshman year by the school's most famous football alumnus, Brett Favre.[9]

On November 30, 2013, Mullens played a key role in helping Southern Miss end its losing streak at 24 games with a five-touchdown performance against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, which also happened to be the college that he originally committed to.[10]

Mullens passed for 1,776 yards as a freshman in 2013 and 2,470 yards as sophomore in 2014.[11][12]

In the 2015 regular season, Mullens completed 331 of 521 passes (63.5%) for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns — school records for passing yardage and touchdown passes.[5] He ranked sixth among NCAA Division I FBS quarterbacks in passing yardage. Mullens' efforts were instrumental in a reversal of fortunes of the Southern Miss football program, with the team posting a 9–5 record for the year just two seasons after snapping its abysmal 24-game losing streak.[13]

On October 1, 2016, against the Rice Owls, he threw for a collegiate career-high 591 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the 44–28 victory.[14]

In four seasons at Southern Mississippi (2013–2016), played in 44 games (41 starts) and completed 928 of 1,546 attempts for 11,994 yards and 87 touchdowns. In 2016, made 11 starts and completed 243 of 384 attempts, for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 297.5 passing yards per game. He started all 14 games as a junior in 2015 as the Golden Eagles finished with more than 7,000 yards of offense for the first time in school history. In 2014, he started 10 games and completed 218 of 365 attempts for 2,470 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.[1]

Mullens finished his collegiate career at Southern Miss as the career passing leader in every statistical category.[15] His 11,994 yards passing and 87 touchdown passes dwarfed the 7,695 yards and 52 touchdowns registered by former NFL great Brett Favre during his four years with the Golden Eagles.[16]

Statistics
NCAA career statistics
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Season Games Record Passing Rushing
GPGSCompAttYardsAvgLngPctTDIntRateAttYardsAvgLngTD
2013 961–51362761,7766.48149.31314108.740−103−2.6132
2014 10103–72183652,4706.84459.7129122.549390.8310
2015 14149–53315214,4768.66963.53812155.243−92−2.1173
2016 11117–42433843,2728.59363.32411149.851−54−1.194
Career 444120–219281,54611,9947.89360.08746137.8183−210−1.1319

Reference[17]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 214 lb
(97 kg)		 4.90 s 1.65 s 2.84 s 4.47 s 7.40 s 31 in
(0.79 m)		 8 ft 8 in
(2.64 m)
All values from Southern Miss’ Pro Day[18]

2017 season
See also: 2017 San Francisco 49ers season

On May 4, 2017, Mullens signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.[19] He entered training camp as the fourth backup quarterback on the depth chart behind veterans Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, and rookie C. J. Beathard.[20]

On September 2, 2017, Mullens was waived as part of the 49ers' final roster cuts, but he was signed to the practice squad the next day.[21][22] On January 2, 2018, the 49ers signed Mullens to a reserve/futures contract after spending his entire rookie season on the practice squad.[23]

2018 season
See also: 2018 San Francisco 49ers season
Mullens during training camp in 2018

On September 1, 2018, Mullens was waived by the 49ers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[24][25] On September 26, 2018, the 49ers promoted Mullens to their active roster after starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.[26] The terms of his new contract were for two years and $1.05 million.[27]

External video
Nick Mullens throws his first career touchdown
Nick Mullens’ Week 9 Highlights

On November 1, 2018, Mullens was named the starter for the 49ers' Week 9 game against the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football after Beathard suffered a wrist injury in the previous game against the Arizona Cardinals. Mullens finished his NFL debut and first career start completing 16 of 22 pass attempts for 262 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers won by a score of 34–3.[28] His passer rating of 151.9 was the highest since 1970 for a quarterback with at least 20 passing attempts in a debut. Mullens was also the first player in 49ers history to throw three touchdowns in his first game for the team.[29] He completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garçon in the first quarter to mark his first NFL touchdown.[30] The following week against the New York Giants, Mullens threw for 250 yards, one touchdown, and was intercepted twice by linebacker BJ Goodson as the 49ers lost by a score of 27-23 on Monday Night Football.[31] Mullens made his first road start during Week 12. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he threw for 221 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions as the 49ers lost by a score of 27-9. During Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, Mullens finished with a career-high 414 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the 49ers lost by a score of 43-16.[32] In Week 14 against the Denver Broncos, he passed for 332 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the 49ers won by a score of 20-14.[33] In Week 15, Mullens threw for 275 yards and a touchdown to help the 49ers defeat the Seattle Seahawks in overtime by a score of 26–23, marking the first time the 49ers beat the Seahawks since 2013.[34] In the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he finished with 282 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in the 48–32 loss.[35]

Mullens finished the 2018 season with 2,277 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.[36]

2019 season
See also: 2019 San Francisco 49ers season

During the 2019 season, Mullens primarily served as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo. He only appeared in one game in the 2019 season.[37] The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, but the team lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.[38]

2020 season
See also: 2020 San Francisco 49ers season

On March 5, 2020, Mullens was assigned a one-year, $750,000 exclusive-rights free agent tender by the 49ers.[39] He signed the contract on May 1, 2020.[40] On September 20, 2020 in a game against the New York Jets, Mullens came in after halftime after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a leg injury. In the game, Mullens completed 8 of 11 passes for 71 yards and an interception in a 31–13 victory.[41] Mullens was named the starter for Week 3 against the New York Giants.[42] In the 36–9 victory, he passed for 343 yards and one touchdown.[43] In Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mullens posted a career low passer rating of 72.6 in which he threw a pick six to linebacker Alex Singleton, thus resulting in Mullens getting benched for C.J. Beathard. Without Mullens, the 49ers would lose 25–20 to the Eagles. [44]

In Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, Mullens came into the game in the fourth quarter after Jimmy Garoppolo left the game with an ankle injury. Mullens rallied the 49ers back in the game by completing 18 of 25 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns but the 49ers lost 27–37.[45][46] Mullens was named the starter for the 49ers again for the 49ers' Thursday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers due to Garoppolo being sidelined indefinitely due to his ankle injury.[47] In Week 13, against the Buffalo Bills, he had 316 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 34–24 loss.[48]

On December 22, 2020, it was announced that Mullens will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury he suffered in the 49ers 41–33 loss against the Dallas Cowboys.[49][50] He was placed on injured reserve three days later.[51]

NFL statistics
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GPGSCompAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRateAttYdsAvgTDSckSckYFumLost
2017SF 00DNP
2018SF 8817627464.22,2778.3131090.818-16-0.901712720
2019SF 10000.000.0000.03-3-1.000000
2020SF 10821132664.72,4377.5121284.1980.901913964
Career191638760064.54,7147.9252287.230-11-0.403626684

Personal life

Mullens has an older brother, Frank, and an older sister, Heather. On August 30, 2019, Mullens and his wife, Haleigh, had their first child, Luke.[52]

Notes
  1. San Francisco 49ers 2018 Media Guide. http://media.49ers.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=338: 49ers.com. 2018. p. 242.CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. Sherman, Robert (November 26, 2018). "Nick Mullens: From Spain Park to the 49ers". WIAT. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  3. Doherty, Tim (January 29, 2013). "Nick Mullens of Spain Park High School commits to Southern Miss". Hattiesburg American. p. 7. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  4. Tim Doherty, "Mullen Picks Eagles," Hattiesburg American, January 29, 2013, pp. 1, 3.
  5. "2016 Football Roster: Nick Mullens," University of Southern Mississippi, southernmiss.com/
  6. Associated Press, "Southern Miss Hopes QB Change Sparks Turnaround," McComb [MS] Enterprise-Journal, October 25, 2013, pg. A12.
  7. Associated Press, "USM Losing Streak Climbs to 19 in Defeat to N. Texas," McComb Enterprise-Journal, October 27, 2013, pg. A7.
  8. "North Texas 55, Southern Miss 14," Jackson Clarion-Ledger, October 27, 2013, pg. C4.
  9. "Couple of Milestones for Mullens," Jackson Clarion-Ledger, November 6, 2013, pg. C4.
  10. "Southern Miss 62, UAB 27," Jackson Clarion-Ledger, December 1, 2013, pg. D2.
  11. Flynn, Bryan. "Nick Mullens". www.jacksonfreepress.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  12. "Chip Lindsey's path to becoming Auburn's offensive coordinator went through Southern Miss". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  13. Phillips, Cody. "How Did Nick Mullens Make It To Where He Is Today?". The Herald on the Hill. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  14. "Rice at Southern Mississippi Box Score, October 1, 2016". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  15. "Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Passing". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  16. "Brett Favre College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  17. "Nick Mullens College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  18. "Nick Mullens, DS #40 QB, Southern Miss". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  19. "49ers Sign 6 Draft Picks, 18 Undrafted Free Agents". 49ers.com. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017.
  20. Biderman, Chris (July 26, 2017). "49ers comprehensive camp preview: Quarterbacks". ninerswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  21. "49ers Cut Roster Down to 53 Players". 49ers.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018.
  22. "49es Claim DL Xavier Cooper off Waivers, Sign 8 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
  23. "49ers Sign Nine Players to Reserves/Future Contracts". 49ers.com. January 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018.
  24. "49ers Cut 21 Players, Get Roster Down to 53". 49ers.com. September 1, 2018.
  25. "49ers Sign 9 Players to the Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 2, 2018.
  26. "49ers Place Jimmy Garoppolo on IR, Call up Nick Mullens and Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 26, 2018.
  27. "Spotrac.com: Nick Mullens contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  28. Wesseling, Chris (November 1, 2018). "Nick Mullens shines in NFL debut against Raiders". NFL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  29. Wagoner, Nick (November 1, 2018). "Nick Mullens puts up historic numbers in NFL debut as 49ers cruise". ESPN. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  30. White, Marcus (November 1, 2018). "Mullens throws two TD passes on first two drives of career". NBCS Bay Area. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  31. Inabinett, Mark (November 12, 2018). "Eli Manning guides Giants past Nick Mullens, 49ers". AL.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  32. "Mullens's 414 Pass Yds Not Nearly Enough; 49ers Lose 43-16 To Seahawks". CBS San Francisco. Associated Press. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  33. Ostler, Scott (December 10, 2018). "Robert Saleh, Nick Mullens show well with eye toward next season". www.sfchronicle.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  34. Lowder, Rob (December 18, 2018). "Stock report after 49ers' overtime win over Seahawks". www.ninersnation.com. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  35. Beacham, Greg (December 31, 2018). "Goff throws 4 TDs, Rams grab bye with 48-32 win over Niners". AP NEWS. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  36. Maiocco, Matt (December 30, 2018). "Mullens details sequence that gave Kittle his NFL record". NBCS Bay Area. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  37. "Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers - October 27th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  38. "Super Bowl LIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 2nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  39. "Nick Mullens". spotrac. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  40. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  41. "49ers' Nick Mullens: Plays half after Jimmy G injury". CBSSports.com. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  42. Wagoner, Nick (September 25, 2020). "49ers to start Mullens at QB; Kittle out again". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  43. "San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants - September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  44. "Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers - October 4th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  45. Maya, Adam (November 1, 2020). "Niners' Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle exit early in loss to Seahawks". NFL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  46. Wagoner, Nick (November 2, 2020). "49ers' Garoppolo, Kittle exit in fourth with injuries". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  47. Gordon, Grant (November 4, 2020). "What to watch for in Packers-49ers on Thursday Night Football". NFL.com. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  48. "Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers - December 7th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  49. Martin, Kelana (December 22, 2020). "Nick Mullens to Miss Remainder of Season; 49ers Not Ruling out Jimmy Garoppolo". www.49ers.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  50. Dajani, Jordan (December 22, 2020). "49ers QB news: Jimmy Garoppolo practice window opens; Nick Mullens reportedly needs elbow surgery". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  51. "49ers' Nick Mullens: Officially on injured reserve". CBSSports.com. December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  52. "49ers' Nick Mullens and wife Haleigh welcome first child into the world". RSN. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
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