DeeJay Dallas Bio
Demetrius “DeeJay” Dallas, Jr. (born September 16, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 216 pounds, Dallas has built a career on versatility, contributing as a rusher, receiver, and special teams performer across multiple franchises.
Early Life and Background
Demetrius Dallas, Jr. was born in Brunswick, Georgia, on September 16, 1998. He attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, where he became a starter at wide receiver on the football team during his sophomore year. He played all over the field in high school, lining up at wide receiver, running back, quarterback, kick returner, punt returner, and on defense, showcasing the versatility that would later define his professional career.
As a junior, Dallas led Glynn Academy to a Class 5A State Championship appearance for the first time in over 50 years, amassing 678 passing yards, 1,139 rushing yards, 147 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns, and was named region 3-5A player of the year. In his senior season, he produced 911 passing yards, 1,201 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards, and 24 total touchdowns, leading his team to the state quarter-finals and earning region 3-5A player of the year honors for the second consecutive season. Across his high school career, Dallas totaled 1,599 passing yards, 2,502 rushing yards, 779 receiving yards, 430 return yards, and 55 touchdowns.
Coming out of high school, Dallas was regarded as one of the top recruits in the class of 2017, earning a spot in the top-300 players by ESPN. Most experts projected him as a wide receiver or defensive back, and he held offers from several major programs, including Georgia and Alabama. He ultimately chose to attend the University of Miami and play under head coach Mark Richt.
Path to American Football
Dallas enrolled early at the University of Miami on January 17, 2017, and was worked out at wide receiver through summer camps by Richt and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Before the 2017 season opener against Bethune-Cookman, he was listed third on the depth chart at wide receiver. After starting running back Mark Walton suffered a season-ending injury, the Hurricanes moved Dallas to running back midseason to address their depth concerns.
In Week 10 of his freshman year, Dallas delivered a breakout performance against third-ranked Notre Dame, rushing for 53 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in a 41–8 victory. He finished strongly that season, tallying 113 rushing yards and a touchdown across the ACC Championship against top-ranked Clemson and the Capital One Orange Bowl against sixth-ranked Wisconsin. He closed his freshman year with 217 rushing yards on 41 carries, three rushing touchdowns, and 92 receiving yards on four receptions.
During his sophomore year, Dallas bulked up from 200 pounds to 220 pounds to handle the physical demands of the running back position. He posted his first 100-yard collegiate game with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown against Toledo in Week 3, then added two more 100-yard games against North Carolina and Duke. He also emerged as a reliable special teams returner, recording 558 return yards and a punt-return touchdown against Pittsburgh, while earning 2018 team honors including the Christopher Plumer Memorial Award and Special Teams MVP.
DeeJay Dallas Career
Early Career (2019)
Entering his junior season as the de facto starter following Travis Homer’s departure for the 2019 NFL draft, Dallas was positioned for a breakout campaign. He hit the ground running with 309 rushing yards on 35 carries and four touchdowns over the first three games, but a nagging knee injury and a dislocated elbow suffered in Week 10 against FIU cut his season short. He finished the year with 693 rushing yards on 115 carries and eight touchdowns, plus 140 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, all career rushing highs.
Dallas was recognized with two team awards in 2019: the R. Dale Melching Leadership Award and one of the Captains of the Year honors. On December 27, 2019, he announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft, concluding his Hurricane career with 1,527 rushing yards on 265 carries, 317 receiving yards on 28 receptions, and 20 total touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2020-2023)
Dallas was selected by the Seattle Seahawks 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 that included a $494,000 signing bonus on July 28, 2020. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, contributing on special teams, and recorded his first NFL scrimmage yards in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins with two carries for eight rushing yards and two receptions for 15 receiving yards.
With injuries thinning the Seahawks backfield, Dallas earned his first career start in Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers. He delivered 18 carries for 41 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, along with five receptions for 17 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, in a 37–27 victory. His multi-dimensional performance against San Francisco helped cement his role as a versatile contributor on offense and special teams during his Seahawks tenure.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024-2025)
On March 14, 2024, Dallas signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. In the Cardinals’ season opener on September 8, 2024, a 34–28 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he became the first NFL player to return a dynamic kick for a touchdown and finished with 123 kick return yards. His impact as a return specialist added a new dimension to his role with Arizona.
On August 26, 2025, Dallas was waived by the Cardinals as part of final roster cuts, ending his Arizona tenure after one full season and parts of a second.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025)
On August 28, 2025, Dallas was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 1, where he recorded one rush attempt for no yards across two appearances, operating primarily on special teams. On November 1, Dallas was released by the Panthers, before re-signing to their practice squad on November 4.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025-Present)
On December 16, 2025, Dallas was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars off the Panthers practice squad, joining his fourth NFL franchise. He provides depth at running back and continued special teams value as the Jaguars move through the latter portion of the 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dallas became the first NFL player to return a dynamic kick for a touchdown in a regular-season game, accomplishing the feat on September 8, 2024, against the Buffalo Bills. He has now played for four NFL franchises, and his multi-phase contributions have ranged from a two-touchdown debut start against the 49ers in 2020 to a historic kick-return score with the Cardinals.
DeeJay Dallas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Demetrius Dallas, Jr. grew up in Brunswick, Georgia, and developed his football versatility at Glynn Academy, where he was named region 3-5A player of the year in both his junior and senior seasons. His fiancée, Yasmin Dugans, is the daughter of former Miami Hurricanes and current Florida State wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, connecting Dallas to a deep college football coaching lineage.
Personal Life
On June 30, 2019, Dallas and his fiancée Yasmin Dugans became parents to a son. The couple has continued to raise their child together as Dallas has navigated his NFL career across multiple cities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Dallas. After being waived by the Arizona Cardinals on August 26, 2025, he was quickly scooped up by the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on August 28. He earned a promotion to the active roster on October 1 and contributed on special teams in two appearances, recording one rush attempt for no yards before being released on November 1. He re-signed to the Panthers practice squad on November 4, remaining on standby as a depth option.
On December 16, 2025, Dallas was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars off the Panthers practice squad, marking his fourth NFL organization. The Jaguars added him for backfield depth and special teams support heading into the final stretch of the 2025 campaign. His experience as a kick returner, including his 2024 dynamic-kick touchdown, makes him a flexible late-season addition.
As the 2025 season progresses, Dallas is expected to focus primarily on special teams duties while competing for rotational carries in Jacksonville’s backfield. His career path, from fourth-round draft pick to journeyman return specialist and dependable role player, reflects a player who has consistently adapted to new schemes and team needs.