COYOTES ADD DIII FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN RB DYLAN PEEBLES – AND NATION’S ACTIVE KICKOFF RETURN LEADER

(INDIO) – The night before the NFL draft, the New York Jets told Cortland State’s All-American D-III running back and return specialist Dylan Peebles to stay near his phone – because he soon would be among their free-agent signings. That call never came – but another New York Jet finally came through.

Marvin Jones, the Florida State Hall of Fame and Jets linebacker, now director of pro personnel for the SoCal Coyotes professional non-profit sports leadership organization, called to welcome Peebles – who amassed over 4,000 all-purpose yards in college – to America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program.

“When one door closes, another opens,” said Peebles, 6-0, 221, who reports to the defending LCFL champion Coyotes July 28. He joins an incoming Coyote rookie class expected to rival any in franchise history, as the team prepares for its first fall season in the vaunted Southern California Football League, home to four of the country’s Top 10 teams.

“NFL teams are going to see how much I’ve progressed since last fall,” Peebles said. “I can’t wait to take over the load in the Coyote backfield. I can be relied on to get that extra yard or make the huge block to bust a big play. I want every record (the Coyotes) have.”

Peebles is no stranger to records. A first-team all-conference selection since 2013, Peebles’ spectacular college career includes first-team All-American, All-Region, All-Empire, All-ECAC and All-East.  “Can run over you, through you, or around you,” wrote one scout.

Peebles strength and size impressed scouts at February’s NFL Regional in Baltimore. His consistent 4.48 speed made him virtually unstoppable as a collegiate kick returner – he was the nation’s active leader in kick return average (34.9) his entire college career.

“I’m ready to ‘Defend the Shield,’” said Peebles, who graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. “It’s a blessing to be able to put on a football helmet for the 18th year. I’m looking forward to the comradery, the opportunity to be back in the locker room, to further my career, and get the Coyotes another championship. This is going to be special.”

“Dylan is so versatile, he can hurt you as a back, as a returner, as a blocker, as a receiver,” said Jones, who this summer will serve in both NFL and Coyotes training camps. Head coach J David Miller agreed, saying Peebles promises “character, competence, and consistency to our offense.”

The son of Darren and Kristen Peebles, Dylan also expressed gratitude to Accelerate Sports, who trained him through the combines.

Coyotes team president Don West Jr. and Jones finalized Dylan’s transition to America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program Saturday night. Athletic Director Sean Tully said Peebles is now enrolled in the team’s Head of Household Work Leadership (HOWL) Program and will complete his orientation and medical intake with Director of Operations Cinthia Paiz today.

The Coyotes open at home at Shadow Hills August 13, against the Central Coast Seminoles of Oxnard.

ON THE FIELD, 70 PLAYERS EACH YEAR earn the distinction of ‘Defending the Shield’ in the uniform of the SoCal Coyotes. Many will earn a shot with NFL, CFL or AFL opportunities, or graduate into business careers. Off the field, more than 30,000 Coachella Valley youth annually participate in Coyote Leadership Training and receive published Coyote Leadership Curriculum.

THE SOCAL COYOTES affect every community they touch. Coyote programs reach thousands of youth through coordinated efforts with numerous local charitable and civic organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, the Desert Strength Academy, the Boys & Girl Scouts of America, and Rotary International.

Visit www.facebook.com/thesocalcoyotes.

-Michele Tully, Director of Marketing ([email protected])