John Reid

jreid@jacksonville.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Like all draft prospects participating in the NFL Scouting Combine this week, former Glynn Academy star DeeJay Dallas wants to show he belongs.

He has a preference, though.

Dallas, a Brunswick native who played running back at the University of Miami, hopes the Jaguars will select him in the April draft.

‘’It would mean a lot if I go to the Jaguars,’’ Dallas said Wednesday. ‘’I just feel like I would be a hometown hero, honestly. That’s my area - Jacksonville, South Georgia area, North Florida. That’s where I made my mark.’’

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Dallas said he’s had informal talks with the Jaguars in Indianapolis. Florida State running back Cam Akers and Florida running back Lamical Perine both said they have had informal talks with the Jaguars this week, too.

The Jaguars are set to get a thorough evaluation of all three players during combine workout for running backs on Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

‘’I feel like I’m the most versatile dude in the draft,’’ Dallas said. ‘’I can play receiver, running back, catch punts and catch kicks. At running back, I’m an every-down back. I don’t have to come off the field. I’m physical, gritty, ready and a leader on and off the field. So you won’t have any problems out of me. I think I’m the best, if not top five.’’

Four years ago, Dallas was the Times-Union’s Super 24 Georgia Player of the Year as a quarterback. He rushed for 1,022 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2016 before joining the Hurricanes.

In three seasons with Miami, Dallas rushed for 1,527 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

The Jaguars have potential to add an explosive running back who can emerge as a third-down option, in addition to having Leonard Fournette. The Jaguars are still weighing whether they will extend Fournette’s fifth-year option. That has been decided by May 3.

Unlike Dallas, Akers said he doesn’t have a preferences for any particular team.

‘’Whatever team that wants me would be my preference,’’ Akers said.

Akers is hoping to take advantage of the scouting combine to clear up any questions about his speed potential teams may have about him.

’’I hope to run better than 4.4 (seconds) in the 40,’’ Akers said. ‘’I’m three-down back that’s committed to winning. In college, I didn’t win as much as I wanted to, but that didn’t change my competitive nature and will to win. I think they will see that if they take a chance on me.’’