NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dalyn Dawkins is surrounded by household names with the Titans, but that's nothing new.
The shifty running back is the nephew of Brian Dawkins, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend. His father, Ralph, was a star running back at Louisville, and spent some time in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.
Now, Dalyn is doing his best to make a name for himself with the Titans.
"Things are going pretty good. It's a grind, but just sticking with it," Dawkins said after practice on Thursday. "I watch everybody, watch the older guys in front of me and what they do and I try and do the same thing. I think I bring some explosiveness, and I'm willing to do anything and everything to help the team."
Dawkins, signed as an undrafted free agent from Colorado State, ran for 3,185 yards and 14 touchdowns at Colorado State, where he racked up 4,020 career all-purpose yards.
Dawkins said his father got him involved in football, and has helped him with pointers while playing the position over the years. Ralph Dawkins was a four-year starter for Louisville (1990-1993). He ran for 2,159 yards and also had 1,667 receiving yards. He scored 29 touchdowns in his collegiate career.
"He was pretty good," Dalyn said with a smile.
Having a famous uncle like Brian Dawkins, well, that's been pretty cool, too.
Brian Dawkins played 13 of his 16 NFL season for the Eagles (1996-2008). A safety, he played three seasons with the Broncos (2009-2011). A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Dawkins finished his career with 1,131 tackles, 37 interceptions and 26 sacks.
Growing up, Dalyn Dawkins had a Brian Dawkins jersey. He went to his games in Philadelphia and Denver.
"It was nice to be able to say, yeah, that's my uncle right there," Dawkins said. "And to be able to play video games and be like, "Yeah, that's my uncle', that's pretty cool. It's a blessing to be a part of his bloodline."
Dawkins said his whole family will be in Canton, Ohio, over the weekend for Hall of Fame festivities. He regrets not being able to be there, but he's focused on his own path these days.
He talked to Brian Dawkins before headed to training camp in July.
"He told me: You've got your foot in the door, so work hard," Dawkins said. "Work harder than you ever had. It's not about how you start, but how you finish. I saw him do it, so I know it is possible for me as well. It is in my blood. So if I put my mind to it, I feel like anything can happen.
"My family is excited (about this weekend). It's a great accomplishment, going into the Hall of Fame. I am proud of him."
The Titans take the field for Day 7 of training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn)
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans training camp on August 2nd, 2018. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
