Football program helped alumnus ‘grow as an athlete’

Jasmine Casimir // Asst. Sports Director

When you think of Darrian Dyson, you remember the incredible force he used to break through a block. You remember the blocked field goal by him against University of Central Florida, which gave the Panthers a season-opener win last year. Or maybe you remember the passion he played with on the field.

If you knew Dyson personally, you knew he was not referred to as Darrian, but “Double.” Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 309 pounds, you would guess that’s why he developed the nickname. Or perhaps because his first and last name start with the letter “D.”

According to Dyson, he doesn’t know how he got the name either.

“Not really sure how I got it,” said Dyson. “Some say because of my size, some say because of my name, but I first heard it from my coach, Cornell Holmes.”

Holmes is Dyson’s hometown high school coach who gave him the name that stuck with Dyson throughout college.

While reminiscing on the birth of his nickname, the alumnus and former defensive tackle admits to missing the game of football.

“Yes, I miss football a great deal,” Dyson told Student Media. “It hasn’t really hit me yet.”

It probably hasn’t hit Panther fans either that Dyson isn’t going to play this season until they yearn for sacks and tackles on plays in the first four games to prevent opponents from having successful drives to the end zone. Or until they find themselves pleading for a blocked field goal, someway somehow, so that the opponent won’t go up by another possession.

With the four successful years that Dyson had on this football team, you would think that the New Orleans native would be on an NFL roster this season. He definitely should be, considering the fact that he had the opportunity to participate in FIU’s annual Pro Day and came out with [impressive] numbers, with 20 reps on a 225-pound bench and a 40-yard dash time of 5.38 seconds.

Dyson doesn’t worry about not going that route, as he knows what’s destined for him will present itself. And because of his four-year success at the University, he gives the football program credit for his college career.

“FIU as an organization opened my eyes more ways than one,” said Dyson. “They gave me an opportunity to grow as an athlete, as a person and meet great guys who I can call brothers.”

Dyson is currently working in the field of tech support, while chauffeuring people around as an Uber driver.

With homecoming week approaching, Dyson said he plans on attending the homecoming game to see FIU take on Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.