DeKaylin Zecharius « DK » Metcalf
Born December 14, 1997 in Oxford, Mississippi
1m93 for 104 kilos
Receiver, Seattle Seahawks, 2nd season
Oxford
Named after the English University, the city of Oxford is everything to DK Metcalf: his birthplace and the city where he goes to high school and college. The University of Mississippi, or more commonly known as Ole Miss, represents this south of the country and Mississippi. In 1962, this university welcomed the country’s first black student. Despite fierce protests from part of the local population, James Meredith was able to attend university, take law courses there before embarking on a political career. Ole Miss College is also the seat of the country’s most famous tailgate: The Grove. A tradition in the spotlight in the film “The Blindside”.
Native of the city and having completed his high school there, DK Metcalf logically engages with the Rebels of Ole Miss in 2016, in the company of another native receiver of the state: AJ Brown (Titans). In 2016, he only captures two passes before injuring his foot, but his two receptions gave his team two touchdowns. It was the following season that he won with 7 touchdowns in 12 games. Tall and fast, he asserts his physical qualities but is only the fourth option of his team, far behind an AJ Brown capturing double passes and counting for double the yards gained.
In 2018, DK Metcalf is used more but still much less than AJ Brown. However, for his last university season, he had come back to full force, especially after his reception against Alabama in week 3.
First offensive play of the Ole Miss vs Alabama game
DK Metcalf scores at 75-yard TD
Ummm ok? ???? He might have just caught the defense off guard. They probably expected a run play & got caught slippin
Idk about Metcalf as a high prospect … It’s lookin more & more like a trap pic.twitter.com/Yvc8cDxS7M
– Pod (@ LAM0nt87) April 19, 2019
But a neck injury ended his season after only 7 games played. Three seasons, two injuries and never the number 1 option of an average team (5-7 / 6-6 / 5-7). Potential, yes. But a risk also because of his injuries, this is what the evaluators think about his projection among the pros. And then, 21 games for 1228 yards and 14 touchdowns. Not enough to panic the NFL scouts.
Indianapolis
In February 2019, however, no football fan could ignore his name. The reason, a photo posted on social media by teammate AJ Brown. Ole Miss and LSU being historical rivals, the two receivers are training with the aim of “being stronger than Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry when they leave LSU”.
This about to bigger than Odell and Jarvis Landry when they entered the draft . Two potential 1st round draft picks from the same school. @nfl I hope you’re ready . @olemissfb @exossports pic.twitter.com/UBEJDjZBNy
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) February 21, 2019
Of course, the buzz is huge. DK Metcalf is therefore scrutinized during the NFL Combine being held in Indianapolis. An event which will have served and served him well.
The bodybuilder receiver signs an incredibly fast time for his size (103 kilos) with 4.33 seconds on the 40-yard sprint. On the dry relaxation, long jump without momentum or bench press workshops with a 100 kg bar, DK Metcalf continues to impress. His name is now followed by the sobriquet “Freak Athlete”, an athletic monster.
Then comes the “3-cone” workshop. It consists of moving as quickly as possible over a small area. The goal is to assess the speed and fluidity of a player’s movements having to change directions during a match. A very important workshop for the evaluators, such as Bill Belichik in particular, who year after year select players who, as if by chance, performed well in this workshop.
And there, DK Metcalf is catastrophic. His time is very slow so the critics are starting to fuse: can only run straight, as flexible as a refrigerator, he will not be able to express himself in the NFL during plots requiring a change of direction. If it creates the buzz in Indianapolis, it also sows doubt. In addition to his (relative) lack of production at the university and his two injuries.
Seattle
The 2019 draft took place in neighboring Tennessee, Nashville. DK Metcalf is one of 22 players invited to the event. Sitting with his family, all dressed up for the occasion, he waits for his name to be called by one of the 32 NFL franchises.
“I thought I would be taken by Buffalo with the number 9 pick. When they made another pick (Ed Oliver), I really didn’t know who was going to pick me. », DK Metcalf for 247Sports
10, 11, 12… 25,26,27… With the 32nd and final choice of the first round, the New England Patriots do select a receiver but it is N’Keal Harry. DK Metcalf, along with Drew Lock (Broncos), therefore closed the evening, without having had the opportunity to step on the podium to meet the commissioner.
The next day, history repeats itself, or almost. His friend AJ Brown is selected by the Titans (51st) but is still waiting for him. He will wait until the last choice of the second round. the Seattle Seahawks have already selected two players in this 2019 draft: LJ Collier in the first round and Marquise Blair with the 47 pick. Finally, with the 64 pick, DK Metcalf finds a home. In all 8 recipients will have been chosen before him.
He has since passed the 2,000-yard receiving mark with 17 touchdowns in two seasons. Now he only dreams of one thing: the Super Bowl. A trophy he has already almost held in his hands.
Chicago
On January 21, 2007, the Chicago Bears host the Drew Brees Saints for the National Conference Finals. By winning 39-14, the Chicago players earn the right to travel to Miami for the ultimate game, the Super Bowl. Among these overjoyed players in the locker room at Soldier Field, a certain Terrence Metcalf. An offensive lineman drafted in 2002 from Ole Miss.
“I was 9 years old and I was in the locker room. I remember holding the conference champion’s trophy in my hands. It was really a good time. », DK Metcalf for the Clarion Ledger
Returning to Oxford after his NFL career (78 games), Terrence Metcalf became a high school coach, especially at Oxford High with his son.
“It’s everyone’s dream to see their son on the pitch. But he doesn’t have to follow my steps, only those of God. It’s his life, we’ll see if he plays in the NFL? But if he doesn’t, we’ll love him anyway. », Terrence Metcalf for hottytoddy.com in 2016
Play in the NFL, that’s it. Now, to join his father, DK Metcalf only thinks about playing a Super Bowl in his turn. In 14 games in 2020, the Seahawks are very well placed with a 9-4 record and the receiver signed 1,180 yards and 10 touchdowns to help them reach the Grail. Not bad for an American fridge.
