The Jacksonville Jaguars have met with a lot of talents with ties to either Florida or Jacksonville, including Miami Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas. While he’s not necessarily from Jacksonville, his hometown of Brunswick, Ga. is close enough in proximity (70 miles) to the point where he’s hoping to wear black and teal one day.
″It would mean a lot if I go to the Jaguars,″ Dallas said Wednesday via the Florida Times-Union. ″I just feel like I would be a hometown hero, honestly. That’s my area – Jacksonville, South Georgia area, North Florida. That’s where I made my mark.″
Luckily for Dallas, there are some who feel the Jags could use help at running back despite Leonard Fournette being the lead guy. The fourth-year player is coming up on a time where his fifth-year option needs to be considered, and if the Jags pass on it, their future will need to be clearer behind him.
Dallas is a player fans not only watched during his time at Glynn Academy when he was named the Times-Union’s Super 24 Georgia Player of the Year as a quarterback, but also one they watched have success with a struggling Miami Hurricanes team. While there, he accumulated 1,527 career rushing yards, 317 career receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns. That success has helped him to garner a fifth to seventh round grade according to scouts, which is perfect because the Jags have selected rushers late before in the past under Dave Caldwell.
With the running backs taking the field Friday, fans will get to see if Dallas can rise his stock and warrant a selection in the third or fourth round. Regardless of where he’s taken, he made it clear that he’s willing to do whatever to contribute and get on the field, and for a team like the Jags who need depth, that mentality could give him a strong chance to be apart of the Jags’ 2020 draft class.
″I feel like I’m the most versatile dude in the draft,″ Dallas added. ″I can play receiver, running back, catch punts and catch kicks. At running back, I’m an every-down back. I don’t have to come off the field. I’m physical, gritty, ready and a leader on and off the field. So you won’t have any problems out of me. I think I’m the best, if not top five.″