De’Von Achane was nothing short of electrifying during his college days at Texas A&M, making defenders miss with the same finesse you’d expect from a joystick in a video game. Now, that explosiveness is paying dividends for the Miami Dolphins.
Head coach Mike McDaniel recently shed some light on what he anticipates from Achane as he enters his third season in the NFL. “I see a player who not only knows how to succeed on his own but understands that personal success is intertwined with the team’s achievements,” McDaniel remarked.
“You really notice his presence on the field.”
At Texas A&M, Achane’s presence was undeniable. Over his three seasons with the Aggies, the Missouri City native piled up 2,376 yards, crossed the goal line 21 times, and maintained an impressive average of 6.4 yards per carry. His resume from his junior year could fill a trophy case—he was named to the All-SEC First-Team as both Running Back and All-Purpose Player, made the AP’s All-SEC Second-Team, became an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalist, and was distinguished by Phil Steele as a First-Team SEC Running Back and Honorable Mention All-American in 2022.
Coach McDaniel elaborated on Achane’s growth: “Becoming a professional football player and progressing in your career involves many layers of development. We’ve watched what seemed to be a quiet kid from Texas gain confidence and discover new ways to influence games.”
Achane’s influence isn’t confined to the ground game. He’s made a splash in the air attack as well.
Among the league’s receiving backs, he’s been a standout, as shown by his 789 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns over his first two seasons. In 2024, he even snagged the Dolphins’ single-season records for most receptions and receiving touchdowns by a running back, with 78 catches and six scores, respectively.
The departure of veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. has opened the door for Achane to step up as a leader on the team. “If a skill player drops a pass or misses a route, Achane is the first person they’ll answer to, because he doesn’t hesitate to hold teammates accountable,” McDaniel pointed out. “His natural competitiveness coupled with his efforts this offseason point to a guy who wants to elevate his game by advancing his skills and motivating his teammates.”
As the Dolphins gear up for Week 1 against the Colts in Indianapolis, fans can expect to see Achane not just showcasing his refined abilities, but also demonstrating the leadership that he’s been cultivating all offseason.
