Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas Jr. Bio
Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas Jr. is an American professional football running back who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. Born on September 16, 1998, in Brunswick, Georgia, Dallas has built a reputation as a versatile and dynamic player throughout his career. He played college football at the University of Miami before being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His journey through the NFL has seen him develop from a special teams contributor into a reliable offensive weapon and return specialist.
Early Life and Background
Dallas was born in Brunswick, Georgia, and attended Glynn Academy in his hometown. He became a starter at wide receiver during his sophomore year, quickly establishing himself as a versatile athlete capable of playing multiple positions. During his high school career, Dallas lined up at wide receiver, running back, quarterback, kick returner, punt returner, and even defensive positions, demonstrating the football IQ and adaptability that would define his collegiate and professional career.
As a junior, Dallas led Glynn Academy to a Class 5A State Championship appearance, the first such appearance for the school in over 50 years. He accumulated 678 passing yards, 1,139 rushing yards, 147 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns that season, earning him Region 3-5A Player of the Year honors. His senior year proved equally impressive, as he amassed 911 passing yards, 1,201 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards, and 24 total touchdowns, guiding the team to the state quarter-finals and repeating as Region 3-5A Player of the Year. Throughout his high school career, Dallas accumulated 1,599 passing yards, 2,502 rushing yards, 779 receiving yards, 430 return yards, and 55 total touchdowns.
Path to American Football
Considered one of the top recruits in the class of 2017, Dallas earned a spot in the top-300 players according to ESPN. Due to his versatility on the field, most recruiting services listed him as a four-star athlete. While coaches projected he could excel as a wide receiver or defensive back, several major programs including Georgia and Alabama extended scholarship offers. Dallas ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Miami under head coach Mark Richt, where he arrived on campus in January 2017.
Initially working at wide receiver during his freshman season, Dallas saw limited action early on. Following a season-ending injury to starting running back Mark Walton, the Hurricanes needed help at the position and converted Dallas to running back. His transition proved remarkable, as he recorded a breakout performance in Week 10 against number-three ranked Notre Dame, contributing two touchdowns and 53 rushing yards on 12 carries in the 41-8 victory. He finished his freshman season with 217 rushing yards on 41 carries and three touchdowns, along with 92 receiving yards.
Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas Jr. Career
University of Miami Hurricanes (2017–2019)
Entering his sophomore season, Dallas focused on adding weight to better suit the physical demands of the running back position. By the season opener against LSU, he had bulked up from 200 to 220 pounds. He achieved his first 100-yard collegiate game in Week 3 against Toledo, gaining 110 rushing yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. Dallas went on to record two more 100-yard games against North Carolina and Duke while becoming a reliable special teams returner, even scoring a punt-return touchdown against Pittsburgh. He led the team with 1,260 all-purpose yards and earned the Christopher Plumer Memorial Award for leadership and the Special Teams MVP award.
With starting running back Travis Homer declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft, Dallas entered his junior season as the de facto starter under new head coach Manny Diaz. He began the season strongly, accumulating 309 rushing yards on 35 carries and four touchdowns through the first three games. However, a nagging knee injury limited his production over the following weeks, and his season was cut short by a dislocated elbow suffered in Week 10 against FIU. Despite the injury, he finished with career highs of 693 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He was awarded the R. Dale Melching Leadership Award and named one of the team captains. On December 27, 2019, Dallas announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, concluding his Miami career with 1,527 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks (2020–2023)
Seattle selected Dallas in the fourth round with the 144th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Seahawks signed him to a four-year, $3.789 million contract on July 28, 2020. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, playing on special teams. His first offensive contributions came in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded two carries for eight rushing yards and two receptions for 15 receiving yards. With injuries depleting the Seahawks backfield, Dallas earned his first career start in Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers, responding with 18 carries for 41 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus five receptions for 17 yards and another score in the 37-27 victory.
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Dallas signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He made NFL history on September 8, 2024, becoming the first player in league history to return a dynamic kick for a touchdown, finishing with 123 kick return yards in a 34-28 loss against the Buffalo Bills. The Cardinals waived Dallas on August 26, 2025, as part of their final roster cuts.
Carolina Panthers (2025)
Dallas joined the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on August 28, 2025, and was signed to the active roster on October 1. He appeared in two games, primarily contributing on special teams before being released on November 1. He re-signed to the practice squad four days later.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Dallas away from the Panthers’ practice squad. He made three appearances to close the season, recording two rush attempts for 21 yards. On February 16, 2026, Dallas re-signed with the Jaguars, securing his spot with the team heading into the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dallas possesses exceptional versatility that allows him to contribute in multiple facets of the game. His background as a receiver gives him reliable hands out of the backfield, while his special teams experience makes him a weapon as a returner. He demonstrates quickness and vision in the running game, complementing his physicality between the tackles. His ability to line up in various positions provides offensive coordinators with valuable schematic flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dallas achieved a historic milestone in Week 1 of the 2024 season, becoming the first NFL player to return a dynamic kick for a touchdown. His collegiate career included multiple 100-yard rushing games and two consecutive Region Player of the Year honors in high school. His transition from wide receiver to running back during his freshman year at Miami showcased his adaptability and football intelligence.
Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas Jr. Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Dallas has contributed as both a rusher and receiver while serving as a dynamic return specialist. His all-purpose yardage totals reflect his ability to impact games in multiple ways.
NFL Career Highlights
In his NFL career through 2025, Dallas has recorded 538 rushing yards on 125 attempts with an average of 4.3 yards per carry and four rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 64 receptions for 407 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air. His return production includes 2,621 total return yards with one touchdown. His most productive NFL season came with the Seahawks, where he earned his first career start and scored his first professional touchdowns.
College Career Statistics
At Miami, Dallas finished with 1,527 rushing yards on 265 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry with 12 rushing touchdowns. He added 317 receiving yards on 28 receptions and eight receiving touchdowns, giving him 20 total touchdowns across his three collegiate seasons.
| Level | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Career) | 538 | 4 | 407 | 2 |
| College (Miami) | 1,527 | 12 | 317 | 8 |
Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Dallas comes from a football family with strong connections to the sport. His father, Demetrius Dallas Sr., has been a presence in his career development and support system. The family background has contributed to Dallas’s understanding of the game and his professional approach to his career.
Personal Life
Dallas and his fiancée Yasmin Dugans welcomed their son on June 30, 2019. Yasmin Dugans is the daughter of former Miami and current Florida State wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, creating a football family legacy that connects Dallas to the collegiate programs at both Miami and Florida State. Dallas and his family continue to maintain ties to both Brunswick, Georgia, where he was born, and South Florida, where his professional career has taken him.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition and opportunity for Dallas. After beginning the year with the Arizona Cardinals, he was waived during final roster cuts in late August. He caught on with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad and was elevated to the active roster in October. While his offensive contributions were limited in his brief appearances, his value as a special teams performer remained evident. His mid-season move to the Jacksonville Jaguars in December provided a fresh start with a team building for the future. Dallas made three appearances to close out the season, demonstrating his readiness to contribute when called upon. His re-signing with Jacksonville in February 2026 signals the team’s confidence in his abilities and his commitment to earning a expanded role in the offense heading into the 2026 campaign.