The past three Saturday afternoons have been pleasantly chaotic for Quincy University running back Dylan Rosado.
A former two-sport athlete at Greenwood, he’s gone from a receiver looking at the likelihood of a redshirt season to a tailback proving to be one of the Hawks’ most dangerous players with a football in his grasp.
And just in time for homecoming — his, not Quincy’s.
The Hawks (3-3) travel to the University of Indianapolis on Saturday to face the Greyhounds (6-0), who have rocketed to No. 5 in Division II.
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Rosado, who practiced at the University of Indianapolis stadium for a week this summer after being chosen to play in the annual Indiana North-South Game, can’t wait for his trip home.
A contingent comprised of as many as 30 people could be seated in the Key Stadium east bleachers to cheer for Rosado.
A 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman, Rosado began preseason practices wearing No. 25. The plan was to redshirt him so that Rosado could better learn Quincy’s offensive playbook while acclimating himself to college.
An injury to one of the Hawks’ scout team running backs opened the door for Rosado to fill in.
“I’m watching him, and I’m saying, ‘Hey, this kid is pretty good,’” Quincy coach Gary Bass said. “I would say his speed is the main thing, but more than that the kid plays so hard. Dylan just wants to do what’s best for the team.”
As a result, Rosado changed jerseys and now wears No. 30. His opinion of the university he attends was consistently positive even before the jump in playing time.
“I like it here a bunch,” said Rosado, a criminal justice major. “My favorite part, honestly, is the relationship between the players and the coaching staff. We want to win and work hard, but they’re shaping us as men, too.”
Seeing action for the first time Sept. 23 at Southwest Baptist, Rosado carried the ball two times for a total of 12 yards. A week later, he scored his first collegiate touchdown on an 80-yard burst in a 31-17 homecoming victory against Robert Morris.
Rosado accumulated 224 all-purpose yards, 94 rushing and 130 on kickoff returns, in a loss to William Jewell this past weekend.
Not a bad showing for a guy who was best known as a defensive back for the Woodmen last year.
“I like being a running back a lot more,” Rosado said. “I think it’s a better fit for me.”
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INSTANT IMPACT
Freshman running back Dylan Rosado is making his mark for Quincy University’s football program:
Rushes;Yards;TD
21;192;2
Kickoff returns;Yards;TD
8;149;0
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