When it comes to leadership, some players talk the talk, and others walk the walk. For Keiser running back Dillon Simon, it's both. Named a team captain this season, Simon has embraced every role asked of him during his three years with the Seahawks - quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and now running back.

On Saturday, the Lake Charles, Louisiana, native let his play do the talking. Simon rushed for a career-high 152 yards on just seven carries, scoring twice in Keiser's win over Thomas (Ga.). His performance included an 85-yard touchdown run - the second-longest in program history - as part of a record-setting day for the Seahawks' ground game.

"I'm so happy and proud of Dillon," Head Coach Myles Russ said." He's one of our leaders and our captain; he has gone through a lot of adversity. He came in as a quarterback, got hurt. Played a little bit of receiver with some injuries there and then finally found a home at the running back position and just continues to fight."
 

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A Journey of Adaptability

Simon's path to the backfield wasn't straightforward. He joined Keiser in 2022 during the team's first run to the NAIA National Championship Game as a quarterback/wide receiver, appearing in 12 games and rushing for 86 yards and a touchdown. Last season, he switched sides of the ball, playing six games as a defensive back.

Now, the former McNeese State transfer is a key piece in one of the nation's most potent rushing attacks. The Seahawks average 248.3 yards per game on the ground (No. 5 in the NAIA) with 12 rushing touchdowns - numbers that have become part of their identity under the mantra RTB: Run the Ball.

"If you're a leader, you can talk a lot, but you need your actions to show," Simon said. "By my actions showing on the field and the way I talk to the team before every practice and every game, I think it helps me gain the trust of the team. I think the biggest thing with this team is just trust. I want our guys to trust me by the way I act on the field and off the field."
 
Breaking Loose

That trust was on full display Saturday. With Keiser already leading 28-3 late in the first half, the Seahawks took over at their own 15-yard line. On the first play, Simon exploded through the line and sprinted 85 yards for a back-breaking score. He had already opened his touchdown account in the first quarter on a 13-yard run that gave Keiser a 21-0 lead.

By night's end, the Seahawks had piled up a school-record 398 rushing yards with five touchdowns on the ground. Simon's 21.7 yards per carry set the tone.

"I have to give thanks to the offensive line, of course," Simon said. "Every time we practice, we put in a lot of work. The running game is something that's very important to our offense, RTB, Run the Ball. Coach Russ always talks about the opportunity. When you get the opportunity, make the most of it. So, every time I touch the ball, I say, 'OK, not one person is tackling me'. I have a little edge on my shoulder when I run the ball. It's because I know the team is counting on me. And as a captain as well, all eyes are on me."
 

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The Expectation

Simon knows he's carrying on a tradition of strong Keiser running backs, including last year's duo of Andrew Burnette and Jaden Meizinger. For him, the expectation is non-negotiable.

"Like I said, it's RTB, that's our offense," Simon said. "One thing I can say for sure, being that our head coach was a good running back as well, it's just a standard that we have. Last year, we had Andrew Burnette and Jaden Meizinger, and those guys left. Now it's time for us to step up, so there should be no drop off. Coach (Justin) Wake, our running backs coach, keeps emphasizing that we need to get better. We're not satisfied. Tonight, we had a big game on the ground. That's the standard, we expect that."

Through three games, Simon has rushed for 232 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per carry and over 77 yards per contest. Not bad for a former backup quarterback, a wide receiver, a defensive back, a special teams player, a transfer, and a Trailblazer at Lake Charles College Prep.

For Coach Russ, Simon's rise is about more than just numbers.

"To see the growth that he has had since day one," Coach Russ said. "And to witness his growth from where he first started to where he's at now is such a blessing to see. That's what college football is about. That's what Keiser is all about. Seeing guys grow, not just on the field, but off the field, their demeanor, and who they are as a person."

 

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