Deejay Dallas (born September 16, 1998) is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 217 pounds, Dallas is known for his versatility as a rusher, receiver, and special teams returner, having been selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (144th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft after a standout college career at the University of Miami.[3][4]Born in Brunswick, Georgia, Dallas attended Glynn Academy, where he excelled as a multi-position athlete.[5] A highly recruited four-star prospect, he chose Miami over offers from powerhouses like Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.[5] At the University of Miami from 2017 to 2019, Dallas appeared in 35 games over three seasons, totaling 1,527 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns on 265 carries, 317 receiving yards on 28 receptions and two receiving touchdowns, along with return contributions including a punt return touchdown. In 2018, he accumulated 1,260 all-purpose yards, highlighted by 617 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and an 83-yard rush that ranks sixth-longest in Hurricanes history.[5][6]In his NFL career, Dallas has played for three teams across six seasons, debuting with the Seahawks in 2020 and contributing on offense and special teams with 122 rushing attempts for 517 yards and four touchdowns, 64 receptions for 407 yards and two scores, and 83 kick returns for 2,074 yards and one touchdown.[4] After four years in Seattle, he joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, where he made history with the first touchdown in the NFL's new kickoff return format—a 96-yard return against the Buffalo Bills—and later signed with the Panthers, appearing in two games during the 2025 season with one carry and special teams duties before being signed to the practice squad in November 2025.[7][1][8] His multifaceted role has earned praise for embodying "old-school football," emphasizing hustle in all phases of the game.[9]
Early life
Family background
Demetrius "DeeJay" Dallas, Jr. was born on September 16, 1998, in Brunswick, Georgia. His father, Demetrius Dallas Sr., a 17-year-old at the time, was present in the hospital and jokingly called out football cadences—"Blue 19, Hut 1, Hut 2"—as DeeJay entered the world, later proclaiming that his son was "born to be a football player."[10] Dallas's mother, Manyonna Bess-Mountain, was 18 and pregnant with him when she declined a basketballscholarship to focus on raising her child, underscoring her central role in shaping his early years in their coastal Georgia hometown.[10]From infancy, Dallas displayed a fierce competitive nature, a trait his family recognized early on as he eagerly engaged in various activities. His uncle Myron introduced him to organized sports at age 4, including gymnastics, baseball, soccer, basketball, and football.[10] This early exposure fueled his athletic passion, with his mother noting his relentless drive even in casual play, such as aggressively tackling opponents in soccer or insisting on trying every position in baseball.Raised in a large family with a modest financial background—his father later played semi-pro football before serving in the U.S. Navy and now drives trucks—Dallas's upbringing emphasized hard work, resilience, and faith, profoundly impacting his personal drive to overcome adversity.[10] His mother's guidance, often encapsulated in the phrase "what God has for you, it's for you," reinforced these values during challenging times. This foundation in Brunswick carried him through high school at Glynn Academy in the same city.
High school career
Dallas attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia, where he emerged as a versatile multi-position athlete, playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver, kick returner, punt returner, and safety during his high school career.[5][11]Over four seasons at Glynn Academy, Dallas recorded 1,599 passing yards with 16 touchdowns on 96-of-175 completions, 2,504 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns on 305 carries, and 779 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns on 63 catches, for a total of 3,713 all-purpose yards.[12] These performances highlighted his athletic versatility and ability to impact games in multiple roles.Dallas's junior year in 2015 stood out, as he rushed for 1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns, passed for 678 yards and 7 touchdowns, and helped lead the Terrors to an 11-2 record.[5] His senior season further showcased his skills with 1,203 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns alongside 911 passing yards.[12]Recognized as a four-star recruit, Dallas committed to the University of Miami on May 21, 2016, choosing the Hurricanes over finalists including Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon.[13][14]
College career
Freshman year
Dallas enrolled at the University of Miami as an early enrollee in January 2017, beginning his true freshman campaign without a redshirt year and transitioning into a versatile athlete role on the Hurricanes' roster.[14]In the 2017 season, he appeared in 12 of 13 games, primarily contributing on special teams as a kick returner while serving as a backup on offense. His early involvement highlighted his speed from high school, where he prepared for multi-faceted usage across positions. Dallas handled two kick returns for a total of 40 yards, averaging 20.0 yards per return, with notable efforts of 22 yards at Duke and 18 yards at Florida State.[5][15]Offensively, Dallas saw limited action as a backup running back, particularly in the season's opening games, where he recorded modest carries and receptions while adjusting to the college level. His freshman development emphasized special teams reliability and gradual integration into the backfield, laying the foundation for future expansion in his role.[5]
In his sophomore season at the University of Miami in 2018, DeeJay Dallas built on his freshman-year experience on special teams by assuming an expanded role on offense and returns, appearing in all 13 games while making 2 starts. As the primary backup to starter Travis Homer, Dallas carried the ball 109 times for 617 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt, which ranked him second on the team in rushing output. His efficiency and big-play ability were evident in his longest rush of 83 yards, contributing to Miami's balanced ground attack that season.[6][5]Dallas also saw limited but effective involvement in the passing game, recording 10 receptions for 85 yards with no touchdowns. On special teams, he solidified his returner position, handling 17 kickoff returns for 367 yards at an average of 21.6 yards per return, including a long of 53 yards, and adding 11 punt returns for 191 yards, highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown return against Pittsburgh. These contributions helped him amass a team-high 1,260 all-purpose yards for the year.[6][5]Among his standout performances, Dallas rushed for a career-high 124 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown, in a 20-12 loss to Duke, showcasing his breakaway speed in a key ACC matchup. He also factored into Miami's 49-24 win over Toledo with 110 rushing yards and strong return efforts, aiding the Hurricanes' 7-6 overall record.[16][17]
Junior year
In his junior season of 2019, DeeJay Dallas solidified his role as the Miami Hurricanes' lead running back, building on the experience gained in prior years to handle a larger share of the offensive workload. He appeared in 10 games, starting several, and led the team in rushing with 115 carries for 693 yards and a career-high 8 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. Dallas also contributed as a receiver, recording 14 catches for 140 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns, while his total all-purpose yardage of 833 paced the Hurricanes.[6][18]Dallas delivered several standout performances early in the season, showcasing his versatility and explosiveness. Against Bethune-Cookman, he rushed for a then-career-high 108 yards on 12 carries, including three touchdowns—one a 51-yard scamper—that helped Miami secure a 77-0 rout. He topped 100 rushing yards again the following week versus North Carolina with 107 yards on 14 attempts, marking his first 100-yard game of the campaign. Other key outings included 94 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Florida, as well as 96 yards and another score against Louisville.[19][20]The season, however, was marred by injuries that curtailed his production in the latter half. Dallas sustained a knee injury in the first quarter of the October 19 matchup against Georgia Tech and did not return for that game. His campaign ended prematurely with a dislocated left elbow suffered midway through the November game against FIU, where he had 9 carries for 50 yards before departing; this injury sidelined him for the finale against Duke. Despite the setbacks, Dallas's leadership on and off the field earned him the R. Dale Melching Leadership Award for the offense and recognition as one of the team's captains.[21][22][23][24]
College statistics
DeeJay Dallas demonstrated versatility as a running back and return specialist during his three seasons at the University of Miami from 2017 to 2019, contributing significantly in rushing, receiving, and special teams roles.[6] Over his college career, he recorded 265 rushing attempts for 1,527 yards at a 5.8-yard average with 17 touchdowns, alongside 28 receptions for 317 yards at an 11.3-yard average and 2 receiving touchdowns.[6] On special teams, Dallas tallied 20 kickoff returns for 420 yards at a 21.0-yard average with no touchdowns, and 11 punt returns for 191 yards at a 17.4-yard average including 1 touchdown.[6] This multifaceted production built on the versatility he displayed in high school.[6]The following tables provide a year-by-year breakdown of his statistics.
Rushing Statistics
Year
Games
Attempts
Yards
Average
Touchdowns
Longest Run
2017
12
41
217
5.3
3
39
2018
13
109
617
5.7
6
83
2019
10
115
693
6.0
8
75
Career
35
265
1,527
5.8
17
83
Receiving Statistics
Year
Games
Receptions
Yards
Average
Touchdowns
Longest Reception
2017
12
4
92
23.0
0
49
2018
13
10
85
8.5
0
20
2019
10
14
140
10.0
2
27
Career
35
28
317
11.3
2
49
Return Statistics
Year
Games
Kickoff Returns
Kickoff Yards
Kickoff Average
Kickoff TDs
Punt Returns
Punt Yards
Punt Average
Punt TDs
2017
12
2
40
20.0
0
0
0
-
0
2018
13
17
367
21.6
0
11
191
17.4
1
2019
10
1
13
13.0
0
0
0
-
0
Career
35
20
420
21.0
0
11
191
17.4
1
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Dallas was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (144th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, drawn for his all-purpose versatility demonstrated during his college career at the University of Miami.[25] He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3,789,400, including a signing bonus of $494,400, on July 23, 2020.[26] As a rookie in 2020, Dallas appeared in 12 games, primarily contributing on special teams while serving as a depth running back; he recorded 34 rushing attempts for 108 yards and two touchdowns, along with 17 receptions for 111 yards and one receiving touchdown.[27] His touchdowns included a 4-yard rush in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills and a 1-yard receiving score in Week 16 versus the Los Angeles Rams, highlighting his opportunistic role behind starter Chris Carson.[4]From 2021 to 2023, Dallas transitioned into a more defined special teams contributor, particularly as a kick returner, while maintaining a backup running back position; over these three seasons, he amassed 78 rushing attempts for 360 yards and two touchdowns, plus 44 receptions for 285 yards.[25] In 2021, he led the team in kick returns with 33 for 764 yards, averaging 23.2 yards per return, and scored both of his rushing touchdowns that year.[4] The following seasons saw reduced offensive touches—35 rushes for 186 yards in 2022 and just 10 for 36 yards in 2023—but he remained a consistent special teams presence, logging 12 kick returns in 2022 and 17 in 2023.Throughout his tenure with the Seahawks, Dallas appeared in 61 regular-season games, solidifying his value as a depth player and return specialist without securing a contract extension beyond his rookie deal.[25] His development emphasized reliability on special teams, where he participated in coverage and return units, contributing to the team's dynamic backfield depth amid injuries to primary runners.[28]
Arizona Cardinals
Dallas signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent on March 12, 2024.[26]In his first season with Arizona, Dallas appeared in all 17 games, primarily contributing on special teams, where he accounted for approximately 82% of his total snaps. He recorded 9 rushing attempts for 49 yards on offense, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, while his receiving role was minimal with 3 catches for 11 yards.[4] Behind starting running back James Conner, Dallas saw limited offensive opportunities throughout the year.Dallas's most notable contribution came on special teams as the team's primary kick returner, leveraging his prior experience in that role with the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills on September 8, 2024, he returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown—the first such score under the NFL's new kickoff rules implemented that season.[29] This play provided a late spark in a 34-28 loss, highlighting his speed and vision in the return game.[30]
Carolina Panthers
Dallas signed with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad on August 29, 2025, three days after his release from the Arizona Cardinals. He was promoted to the active roster on October 1, 2025, to bolster depth at running back and on special teams amid injuries to key players.[31][26]In the 2025 season, Dallas appeared in 2 games for the Panthers, primarily serving as a depth running back and kick returner. His offensive output was minimal, consisting of 1 rush attempt for 0 yards, with no receptions or touchdowns recorded. On special teams, he contributed 141 kick return yards, leveraging his established reputation as a return specialist from prior teams.[25][32]Dallas experienced roster volatility in October with multiple elevations and promotions to the active roster. He was released on November 1, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad on November 4, continuing his role as a depth option through early November.[26][33]
Personal life
Family
Dallas is married to Yasmin Dallas (née Dugans), his long-term partner and primary supporter since before his NFL entry; she is the daughter of former University of Miami and current Florida State wide receivers coach Ron Dugans.[34][35] Yasmin paused her studies at Florida International University to launch a hair-extension business and support the family during Dallas's transition to professional football.[36]Dallas and Yasmin welcomed their first son, also named DeeJay, on June 30, 2019, amid Dallas's junior year at the University of Miami, creating significant challenges in balancing rigorous football training, academics, and new parenthood responsibilities.[37] The couple's decision for Dallas to forgo his final college season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft was influenced by the birth, as he sought to secure stability for his growing family.[37]Family remains central to Dallas's motivation and emotional stability in his career; he has described fatherhood as his greatest blessing and a driving force to improve daily as both an athlete and provider, often prioritizing off-day time with his son to build lasting bonds.[38][37]
Philanthropy
In June 2024, Dallas returned to his hometown of Brunswick, Georgia, to host the inaugural Deejay Dallas Foundation Charity Weekend, dubbed "Raising a Village," which sought to inspire and empower local youth through educational workshops, health-focused activities, and fundraising efforts.[39] The centerpiece was a free youth football camp at Glynn County Stadium, drawing approximately 150 participants aged 8-17 from Brunswick and nearby communities, where attendees engaged in drills led by Dallas, Glynn Academy coaches, and former NFL player Stump Mitchell.[39] This event built on a similar charity gathering Dallas co-hosted in 2021 with Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker, further demonstrating his ongoing dedication to community upliftment.[39]In 2025, Dallas hosted the second annual Deejay Dallas Foundation Football Camp on June 14 at Glynn County Football Stadium, providing free training and skill development for youth participants.[40] Earlier that year, on May 9, he organized the inaugural Deejay Dallas Foundation Sporting Clays Tournament at Broadfield, A Sea Island Sporting Club, to raise funds for youth programs.[41]The Deejay Dallas Foundation, established by Dallas, centers on providing resources for education, health, and wellness to sports-minded youth, with a particular emphasis on building self-esteem and confidence among disadvantaged and at-risk children to encourage healthier lifestyles and academic success.[39] Motivated by his own experiences growing up in Brunswick—where he navigated personal adversities with family support—Dallas has prioritized giving back to underprivileged communities, embodying the philosophy that "it takes a village to raise a child."[39][42] He has articulated this drive succinctly: "I just care about giving back... As long as they succeed, I succeed."[39]Dallas extends his philanthropic efforts through NFL player-led initiatives, including hosting youth football camps funded by the NFL Foundation to promote physical activity and skill development among young participants.[39][43] He has also participated in the league's My Cause My Cleats campaign, donning custom footwear in 2023 and 2024 to spotlight his foundation's work in youth empowerment, following support for Justice for Black Girls in 2022.[44][45][46]