SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY
Successful CFL stint as kick returner gives former W&M, Warhill standout Dedmon hope to make roster
During one of his first days of practice this spring with the Miami Dolphins, DeVonte Dedmon looked around the locker room and saw Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill and rising star Jaylen Waddle from his wide receiver position group, then spotted Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard and talented young safety Jevon Holland.
It was a moment of awe in which he avoided the temptation to approach them with a Sharpie for autographs, and also one of revelation.
“You think, ‘Those are guys you see on TV and I’m 26 years old sitting here like Fan Boy,’ ” said Dedmon, a Williamsburg native who starred for Warhill High and William & Mary. “Then I’m looking at myself and said, ‘You need to relax: What’s keeping you from being one of those guys?’”
The answer, he hopes as he began preseason practice this week, is nothing. Dedmon, signed to a futures contract by the Dolphins in January after two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League, does not expect to push the likes of Hill or Waddle from their starting positions at receiver.
His chances of joining them on the Dolphins’ roster depend some on a display of improvement at receiver, a position at which he saw little time in Canada. Dedmon caught just 15 passes for 161 yards in his two seasons with the Redblacks.
Far and away, Dedmon’s best shot of making the Dolphins’ roster will be convincing his coaches that he is their answer at kick returner, where he excelled in Canada. Not only would that fill a void where Miami was weak a year ago, it would, as USA Today noted, allow Waddle and Holland to grow at their primary positions while avoiding injury.
Because of that, Dedmon and his agent, Sunny Shah, considered Miami the perfect destination for him during a round of tryouts following his departure from Ottawa.
“When I came here, they put me through the entire returner workout, so we thought it would be the best fit for me,” Dedmon said. “When they signed me, it was a dream come true.
“I always wanted to play professionally, and I got to do that in Ottawa. Now this is another step. I’d be cheating myself if I didn’t take this chance.”
The Dolphins could reap immediate gains at returner. Speedy and elusive, Dedmon, 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, became the fastest player in CFL history with five kick-return touchdowns, a feat he accomplished in 15 games.
That earned him designation last year as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, recognition he also received in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2015 at W&M. Dedmon was All-CAA three times at receiver during a career in which he ranks fourth at W&M all-time in touchdown catches (20) and ninth with 152 receptions.
Returning kicks in the NFL will require a bit of an adjustment. In the CFL, Dedmon got a 5-yard halo (no-hit zone) to catch the kicks he returned, although no fair catches were allowed, unlike the NFL.
His exploits in the CFL included a kickoff return of 111 yards and a punt return for 95 yards and a touchdown. As Dedmon attempts to wow Miami coaches while returning kicks, he will tackle the challenge of showing he can contribute, if necessary, at receiver.
“I’m going to have to be patient and bring my best every day,” he said. “I read somewhere that you don’t look at the word ‘no’ as an obstacle, you look at it as an opportunity.
“I’m going to use any obstacle as a motivation to show them why they took a chance on me. I’m going to be myself in camp, and that means bringing energy and showing them I can play ball.”
Being himself is advice Dedmon received from former W&M player DeAndre Houston-Carson, a defensive back with the Chicago Bears. Houston-Carson, New England Patriots defensive lineman Bill Murray and Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl long-snapper Luke Rhodes are other Tribe teammates in the NFL.
Dedmon’s new teammates are Hill, Waddle, Holland, Howard and the other Dolphins, a team many believe is poised to make a jump into playoff contention under new coach Mike McDaniel after going 9-8 last year. Dedmon is eager to contribute.
“(McDaniel) is a great guy and pushing us to be the best players we can be,” Dedmon said. “They’ve brought in great athletes like Tyreek Hill (from Kansas City), and the defense is already good.
“I’m excited to see what my teammates do, whether I’m here or not. These guys are always going to be a part of my life.”