Dallas Focused on Running Back This Spring
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – DeeJay Dallas is as versatile as any athlete on a football field, but this spring he is looking to focus in on one position: running back.
Dallas, who saw time at wide receiver, running back, kick returner, punt returner and wildcat quarterback in his freshman season, is a key returner in Miami’s running back rotation and entered the spring physically prepared to play the position.
“I think I put on like 12 pounds, so I’m like 221 right now, and I feel the same,” Dallas said. “I just feel like this little more weight I can deliver more blows now because in the season I was weighing like 201-202. So now I feel much better. I feel much better and I feel my body is prepared to play at the running back position and then play the split more, too, so I feel great.”
A year ago, Dallas came to Miami as an athlete. A former high school quarterback in Brunswick, Ga., the 5-foot-10 Dallas was gifted enough to play a variety of positions for the Hurricanes.
Miami head coach Mark Richt and his coaching staff decided Dallas would begin his career at wide receiver, but an injury to star running back Mark Walton left the Canes thin in the backfield and that meant a position switch for the explosive and elusive freshman. Dallas totaled over 200 yards and three rushing touchdowns behind starter Travis Homer, opening the eyes of Miami’s coaches and fans alike.
“DeeJay, I’ll say this, this guy I’m really impressed with him,” Richt said. “Even last year, just throwing him at running back midseason basically and quickly he learned and contributed. Now he’s trained all offseason to be a running back. He’s more of a load now. When he makes contact, its impressive. He made a really big play today when he broke out in the open and a defender tried to thud him up and he tricked him. He ran his you know what over.”
Miami offensive coordinator/running backs coach Thomas Brown loves the fire that Dallas brings to the Hurricanes’ offense. Now he is excited to see the talented sophomore grow into a larger role on and off the field.
“Obviously since Day 1, DeeJay has been a very competitive football player,” Brown said. “When he came in initially he was playing receiver, playing running back. We’ll still use him out of the backfield at times, as well. But he has put on good solid weight. He has bulked up some but can still run and stay in good condition. He had some nice, physical runs today. I’m kind of pleased with the progress DeeJay is making. And he’s trying to be more of a leader, which is good – we need more leaders.”
Though he is just one year into his college career, Dallas has embraced the opportunity to emerge as a leader. Known for his work ethic, Dallas hopes to earn the role of being a vocal leader going forward.
“I enjoy it only because the old Canes they had player-led football teams and that’s what we are striving for and that’s what I feel my role is – to lead the team and be a vocal leader on the team,” Dallas said. “I enjoy it.”
Dallas is known as an outgoing and gregarious person, which pairs well with Travis Homer’s quiet leadership. The duo welcomed early enrollee Lorenzo Lingard into the running backs room and are helping bring the high school All-American along this spring.
“That’s my brother,” Dallas said of Lingard. “I mean, he’s coming along. He’s coming along really well. He’s learning, he’s getting accustomed to college football and his silliness it’s up there, it’s high. It’s high, so I can’t wait for the season and see what he can do. He has world-class speed. Travis has speed, I’m alright, but he brings that track speed to the football field and that’s one thing that God has blessed him with – that track speed and football IQ. Those two things together are real.”
