Barika Kpeenu
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 213 lb (97 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Sheyenne (West Fargo, North Dakota) |
| College |
|
| NFL draft | 2026: undrafted |
| Career history | |
* Offseason or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Barika Kpeenu is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison.
Early life
Kpeenu grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota and attended Sheyenne High School.[1] As a senior, he rushed for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns.[2] Kpeenu committed to play college football at North Dakota State University (NDSU).[3]
College career
Kpeenu redshirted his true freshman season with the Bison.[1] He played in three games and rushed 52 yards and one touchdown as a redshirt freshman. Kpeenu 501 yards and four touchdowns during his redshirt sophomore season.[4] He rushed for 725 yards and seven touchdowns on 132 carries as NDSU won the 2024 FCS national championship.[5] Kpeenu was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference as a redshirt senior after rushing for 1,005 yards and 20 touchdowns while also catching 20 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown.[6]
College statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2021 | North Dakota State | 0 | 0 |  Redshirt | |||||||
| 2022 | North Dakota State | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 15 | 52 | 3.5 | 1 |
| 2023 | North Dakota State | 15 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 96 | 502 | 5.2 | 4 |
| 2024 | North Dakota State | 16 | 6 | 15 | 122 | 8.1 | 1 | 132 | 718 | 5.4 | 7 |
| 2025 | North Dakota State | 13 | 13 | 20 | 247 | 12.4 | 1 | 191 | 1,005 | 5.3 | 20 |
| Career | 47 | 19 | 35 | 369 | 10.5 | 2 | 434 | 2,277 | 5.2 | 32 | |
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+5⁄8 in (1.77 m) | 213 lb (97 kg) | 32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 2+3⁄8 in (1.89 m) | 4.66 s | 1.59 s | 2.71 s | 4.33 s | 7.00 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) | 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) | 28 reps |
| All values from Pro Day[7][8] | ||||||||||||
After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL draft, Kpeenu attended the Los Angeles Chargers rookie minicamp and worked out for the Carolina Panthers in May before ultimately being signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 16, 2026.[9] He was waived on August 29.[10]
References
- 1 2 "West Fargo Sheyenne's Barika Kpeenu primed to blend in 'big time' in Bison offensive backfield". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. October 12, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Sheyenne's Kpeenu, Bison football commit, plays final prep game in Cowboys' stadium". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. January 28, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ Wigginton, Carissa (September 1, 2020). "Sheyenne running back, Bison football commit Kpeenu playing for more than himself". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ Kolpack, Jeff (August 3, 2024). "Bison RB Kpeenu sidelined with injury, status for opener unknown". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ McFeely, Mike (July 31, 2025). "McFeely: After Barika Kpeenu, Bison running backs are mostly mysteries". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Bison RB Barika Kpeenu accepts invite to The American Bowl". The Forum of Fargo–Moorhead. December 22, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Barika Kpeenu College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Barika Kpeenu (RB)". RAS.football. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ Alper, Josh (2026-08-17). "Buccaneers sign RB Barika Kpeenu, S Robert McDaniel". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
- ↑ Alper, Josh. "QB Connor Bazelak among early Bucs cuts". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 30 August 2026.