Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tomas Redondo
Dangerous Dalyn: Senior running back forging a legacy
11/7/2017 5:43:00 PM | Football
Dawkins on pace to become fifth Ram to lead team in rushing three years in a row
by Grant Larson
Athletics Communications
Â
The Colorado State Rams' 2013 and '14 seasons were marked by two of the most prolific rushing campaigns in school history. Kapri Bibbs took the nation by storm in 2013, rushing for 1,741 yards and 31 touchdowns, both of which remain school records. Just a season later, Dee Hart went for 1,275 yards and 16 touchdowns in the Rams' historic 10-win season.
Â
While Bibbs was running rampant for the Rams, a Purdue Boilermaker named Dalyn Dawkins was putting together an impressive freshman campaign in the Big Ten conference. As Hart starred for the Rams in 2014, Dawkins watched from the CSU sideline, sitting out per NCAA transfer rules, patiently waiting for his chance to leave his mark in the Green and Gold.
Â
Fast forward three years and Rams fans are witnessing a running back who has quietly put together one of the most storied rushing careers in school history. For CSU football, Dalyn Dawkins was every bit worth the wait.
Â
A Kentucky native and nephew of NFL legend Brian Dawkins, Dalyn now ranks sixth in Colorado State history with 2,836 career rushing yards. That career mark is the highest by a Ram since Kevin McDougal finished his career in 1999 with 3,067, and Dawkins' 14 career 100-yard games are the third most in program history.
Â
Having rushed for 867 yards as a sophomore, 919 last season, and 1,050 so far in his senior campaign, Dawkins is on pace to become just the fifth player in school history to lead the Rams in rushing for three consecutive seasons. Dawkins would join CSU legends Gartrell Johnson, E.J. Watson, Steve Bartalo, Lawrence McCutcheon and Oscar Reed—all of whom, save Watson, also rank on CSU's top-10 career rushing list.
Â
Where Dawkins sets himself apart from the aforementioned backs however, is his role in the passing game. In his career, Dawkins has 546 career receiving yards and three touchdown catches. He is the first CSU running back with three career receiving touchdowns since Raymond Carter (2010-11), and his 546 receiving yards are the most by a Ram tailback since Scott Whitehouse finished his career in 1988 with 769.
Â
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back—who has been praised by head coach Mike Bobo since day one as the Rams' toughest player—impressed with his durability and burst the last two seasons, but clearly saved his best for last.
Â
Last week at Wyoming, Dawkins eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season for the first time in his career. He's rushed for 100-plus yards in five of six Mountain West games this season, including a career-most 191 yards in the homecoming win over Nevada. In the Border War blizzard, he logged a career-high 29 carries which he took for 154 yards as the focal point of the Rams' offense. His five rushing touchdowns this season are the most in his career, and his 206 receiving yards on the season mark yet another career high. With two regular season games and a bowl game still to go, Dawkins' numbers and impact on the Rams football team will only grow.
Â
Dawkins didn't score touchdowns at the historic clip of Bibbs or taunt Buffs like Hart, and his impact on CSU cannot be measured on a single-season basis. He didn't chest bump Joey Porter like Gartrell Johnson and he's about as soft-spoken a player as you'll come across in the Rams' locker room. Dawkins' play has spoken loudly, however, as he's emerged as one of the most prolific running backs in school history. While his ascension has been steadier, and perhaps unexpected, CSU football will long remember that it had a great one in Dalyn Dawkins.
Athletics Communications
Â
The Colorado State Rams' 2013 and '14 seasons were marked by two of the most prolific rushing campaigns in school history. Kapri Bibbs took the nation by storm in 2013, rushing for 1,741 yards and 31 touchdowns, both of which remain school records. Just a season later, Dee Hart went for 1,275 yards and 16 touchdowns in the Rams' historic 10-win season.
Â
While Bibbs was running rampant for the Rams, a Purdue Boilermaker named Dalyn Dawkins was putting together an impressive freshman campaign in the Big Ten conference. As Hart starred for the Rams in 2014, Dawkins watched from the CSU sideline, sitting out per NCAA transfer rules, patiently waiting for his chance to leave his mark in the Green and Gold.
Â
Fast forward three years and Rams fans are witnessing a running back who has quietly put together one of the most storied rushing careers in school history. For CSU football, Dalyn Dawkins was every bit worth the wait.
Â
A Kentucky native and nephew of NFL legend Brian Dawkins, Dalyn now ranks sixth in Colorado State history with 2,836 career rushing yards. That career mark is the highest by a Ram since Kevin McDougal finished his career in 1999 with 3,067, and Dawkins' 14 career 100-yard games are the third most in program history.
Â
Having rushed for 867 yards as a sophomore, 919 last season, and 1,050 so far in his senior campaign, Dawkins is on pace to become just the fifth player in school history to lead the Rams in rushing for three consecutive seasons. Dawkins would join CSU legends Gartrell Johnson, E.J. Watson, Steve Bartalo, Lawrence McCutcheon and Oscar Reed—all of whom, save Watson, also rank on CSU's top-10 career rushing list.
Â
Where Dawkins sets himself apart from the aforementioned backs however, is his role in the passing game. In his career, Dawkins has 546 career receiving yards and three touchdown catches. He is the first CSU running back with three career receiving touchdowns since Raymond Carter (2010-11), and his 546 receiving yards are the most by a Ram tailback since Scott Whitehouse finished his career in 1988 with 769.
Â
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back—who has been praised by head coach Mike Bobo since day one as the Rams' toughest player—impressed with his durability and burst the last two seasons, but clearly saved his best for last.
Â
Last week at Wyoming, Dawkins eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season for the first time in his career. He's rushed for 100-plus yards in five of six Mountain West games this season, including a career-most 191 yards in the homecoming win over Nevada. In the Border War blizzard, he logged a career-high 29 carries which he took for 154 yards as the focal point of the Rams' offense. His five rushing touchdowns this season are the most in his career, and his 206 receiving yards on the season mark yet another career high. With two regular season games and a bowl game still to go, Dawkins' numbers and impact on the Rams football team will only grow.
Â
Dawkins didn't score touchdowns at the historic clip of Bibbs or taunt Buffs like Hart, and his impact on CSU cannot be measured on a single-season basis. He didn't chest bump Joey Porter like Gartrell Johnson and he's about as soft-spoken a player as you'll come across in the Rams' locker room. Dawkins' play has spoken loudly, however, as he's emerged as one of the most prolific running backs in school history. While his ascension has been steadier, and perhaps unexpected, CSU football will long remember that it had a great one in Dalyn Dawkins.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballInside the Offensive Linemen Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Thursday, May 14
Inside The Tight End Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, May 11
Inside the Quarterback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, May 08
Inside the Nickelback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Tuesday, April 28