Miami Hurricanes junior running back DeeJay Dallas measured well at the NFL Combine on Tuesday. Next up for the Georgia native is the drills that await him on Saturday.
DeeJay Dallas was the heart of the Miami football program over the last three seasons. Dallas led the Miami Hurricanes with 693 yards rushing and eight touchdowns and added 10 receptions for 140 yards and another two scores in 2019. Dallas is beginning his NFL sojourn at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week.
During the measurements of the running backs on Tuesday, Dallas measured favorably with the other players at his position. Dallas is 5′ 10″, 217 lbs with 30 5/8” arms and 9 1/4” hands. Height and weight are not always accurately portrayed by a player’s college team. Dallas’ size is consistent for an NFL RB.
As a consistent contributor on special teams during his Miami Hurricanes career should help Dallas’ draft stock and his attempt to make an NFL roster. Dallas returned 20 kickoffs for 420 and 11 punts for 191 yards and an electrifying touchdown against Pittsburgh in 2018. Dallas also has proven to be an excellent leader.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald interviewed an anonymous NFL scout about each of the Miami draft-eligible juniors. Defensive end Jonathan Garvin, wide receiver Jeff Thomas and cornerback Trajan Bandy are also in Indianapolis this week. Thomas’ was measured Monday. Bandy and Garvin will be later this week.
"“I gave him a late fourth-, early fifth-round grade. Unless you’re a stud horse who can carry 20-to-30 times a game, running backs are a dime a dozen. He’s an undersized college running back who showed good run skills. His hands are good. Has straight-line speed, but I don’t think he’s a swivel-hip type of guy.Has instincts, vision and awareness in both phases — passing game and running game.”"
Dallas does not have elite-level talent to be selected during the first two days (first-third rounds) of the NFL Draft. The intangibles for Dallas are there. The receiving skills for Dallas and his speed project him to be a third-down running back that NFL teams can rely on. Like most players, Dallas will have to find his niche.
Based on what the scout told Jackson, the drill to watch Dallas in on Saturday will be the shuttle run. The shuttle run measure lateral quickness which the scout seems to doubt Dallas based on his comment that he does not project the former Hurricane as a “swivel hip type guy.” Dallas’ versatility will help him in the NFL.