Versatile, gritty rookie DeeJay Dallas impressing Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll, Seahawks
Ask Russell Wilson about DeeJay Dallas, and the Seahawks’ veteran franchise quarterback lights up like the rookie running back is, well … Mr. Unlimited.
“He’s been one of my favorite players, DeeJay Dallas,” Wilson said.
The QB’s grin grew over the mask he had pulled down to talk following Seattle’s mock game at CenturyLink Field Saturday.
“He’s done a tremendous job of coming in with the right attitude,” Wilson said. “Super professional.”
Perhaps super useful, too.
The Seahawks’ sixth-round draft choice this spring from the University of Miami has impressed his new coaches with a versatility and grit they’ve needed from a running back in the passing game.
Versatility, and especially the grit, are what they never got consistently in the four years they tried C.J. Prosise as a pass-receiving back. Seattle finally gave up on its third-round pick in 2016 this offseason, after his 10 injuries in four seasons and more time in the training room than on the field.
Dallas has taken full advantage of Chris Carson being away for seven of the Seahawks’ first nine training-camp practices because of deaths in his family, and of number-two back Rashaad Penny being on the physically-unable-to-perform list likely out for the first six games.
Friday, Dallas ran past rookie first-round pick Jordyn Brooks at linebacker to turn a short pass into a long gain. Saturday in the full-pads scrimmage, Dallas absorbed All-Pro safety Jamal Adams violently trying to bang the ball from his arms and kept sprinting through the contact to turn another short pass into a first down.
Dallas is pushing 2019 draft choice Travis Homer, his Miami Hurricanes teammate two years ago, on Seattle’s depth chart.
The Seahawks thought Dallas would primarily be a special-teams contributor this year. But he is forging a possible place in the offense, particularly as a pass receiver.
Dallas was once a wide receiver at Miami. He was a high school quarterback at Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga.
Dallas has also withstood something of on-field rookie hazing from veteran defensive players. They gang up to violently try to rip the ball from the 5-foot-10, 217-pound running back’s arms at the end of plays. The 21-year-old back keeps plowing through the blows. He usually keeps his legs churning through them, staying upright as he continues running down the field.
“He’s done a really nice job,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s a natural athlete. He’s played quarterback in his background. He’s been a receiver. So, at the running back spot, he brings some talent and background running routes and getting out of the backfield and feeling real comfortable in situations and downfield catching, and all. So he’s done a nice job for us, to kind of establish that you can count on him already, that he has those talents.
“He’s right in it. And he’s getting involved in special teams; that’s going to be a big factor for him. But I’m surprised that it’s been so clear that he fits in in the throwing game right now. Not that he doesn’t run the ball well; he’s done fine there, too. But (he’s) probably ahead of what we would have expected in the throwing game.”
Dallas has been impressing Wilson for months.
It started when the team captain began hosting remote, online Zoom calls with Seattle’s rookies this spring. The coronavirus pandemic closed the team facility to all players this spring into summer. Wilson, the 31-year-old franchise cornerstone, sought to build camaraderie with his newest, youngest Seahawks remotely, instead.
To Wilson, Dallas immediately jumped off the screen.
“We have a lot of great rookies,” Wilson said. “But he was one of the guys who really took charge of it all.
“He’s caught the ball extremely well. He runs it well. He’s got great vision. He just brings great enthusiasm to the game. So I’ve been fired up about DeeJay, and he’s one of my favorite guys on the team as a rookie.
“He’s been special for us.”
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 11:09 AM.
