Life In The Fast Lane: Devon Achane Provides Home Run Speed To Dolphins Backfield
The list of highlight plays Devon Achane produced in his three years at Texas A&M knows no bounds, but perhaps the one that put him on the national stage was his first.
With 3:44 remaining, Achane took a snap and juked his way past a pair of North Carolina defenders, and headed to the outside corner. From there, speed became a factor, and the foot race began inside Hard Rock Stadium.
Achane scampered his way to the end zone on a 76-yard touchdown to break a 27-27 tie in favor of the Aggies. A drive later, he found the end zone again on a 1-yard run to seal a 41-27 victory down in Miami.
How fitting is it that Hard Rock Stadium will become his second home in the NFL?
"When played in Hard Rock Stadium the first time, I walked out with the Orange Bowl MVP," Achane told local reporters in Miami Friday night. "Hopefully, I can keep that going. I'm just happy and blessed to be able to come out to Miami."
Achane, a home run threat that provides value on special teams, was selected 84th overall by the Dolphins Friday evening. Miami is a fast-bustling metropolis that's always on the move.
Keeping up with the quick pacing in the 305-area should come naturally for Achane as he looks to keep strides alongside speedsters like Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle, and All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill.
“It’s been about two years that we’ve been watching him,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters following Day 2 of the draft. “… We got to know him as a person … and (coach) Mike (McDaniel) was convicted in his love for the player. We all were.”
The Dolphins could create an Olympic-level 4x4 relay team if football were placed on the back burner. They value speed in their arsenal and prioritize it for those wishing to take the field.
Achane fits the cirertia. A member of the A&M's track team and a world-class sprinter, the 5-9 runner left the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.32 40-time, the fastest among running back prospects in the class, and fourth-fastest among running backs in league history.
Speed is an asset, but not a personality. A change-of-pace runner during his first two seasons in College Station, Achane proved durability wouldn't be a concern in the pros after finishing with a team-high 196 carries in 2022. He averaged 19.6 carries per game and finished with five 100-plus yard games, including a career-best 215-yard performance in the season finale upset win over then-No. 5 LSU.
“He’s an all-around football player who just happens to have world-class speed,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher released in a statement. “He has natural ball skills as a receiver and caught a lot of balls for us. He will be a three-down back (in the NFL). He has great patience running between the tackles, and people underestimate his strength and balance.
"He is highly intelligent and is an easy guy to coach. I expect him to be a great professional player.”
Achane, the first running back selected by Miami in the top three rounds since Kenyan Drake in 2016, should provide stability as a rotational back early one. McDaniel, who helped the Dolphins clinch an AFC playoff spot, for the first time since 2016, could also value Achane's speed as a special teams weapon.
While splitting reps with now-Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller, Achane served as A&M's primary kickoff returner. He averaged 30.7 yards on 20 attempts with two touchdowns — including a 96-yard score in the Aggies' upset win over then-No. 1 Alabama at Kyle Field in 2021.
"I didn’t think he was gonna be there,” McDaniel said. “That happens every draft, and, really, I was very hopeful for both of our selections, but it wasn’t totally positive they’d be there. So very excited about that opportunity we had.”
Achane visited the facility as one of his top 30 visits. The two sides first met at the combine and felt a connection from the jump. Achane also mentioned his close relationship with Waddle, having grown up playing AAU basketball as teenagers back in Houston.
Waddle has already become a staple in Miami. Achane hopes to follow the same path as part of perhaps the fastest offense in the NFL.
"It's going to be hard for a defense to cover us," Achane said. "We already got threats on the team. Me getting added to his offense is very scary."
Achane became an element for the Aggies the last time he walked into Hard Rock Stadium. He considers that performance as an opening act.
Now comes the headliner.
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