How rookie recreates self as fullback to make Miami Dolphins' roster

MIAMI GARDENS — The "unreal" story of the 2026 Miami Dolphins today is standing at his locker, reflecting on the moment his became a nonfiction story.

DJ Herman had been signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. That was one strike against him.

DJ Herman was a linebacker, but the Dolphins had linebackers . What they didn't have was a fullback. And with coach Jeff Hafley determined to run the ball with De'Von Achane , they wanted a fullback. So not only was Herman asked to change positions, he was asked to move to the other side of the ball. Strike two.

Last weekend was cut-down day in the NFL , the day Herman would find out if his crash course in Fullback 101 resulted in a passing grade, or if it was strike three.

"Sunday was very nerve-wracking," he said. "Waiting all day. No call, which is a good thing. And then from there, 6 o'clock came around and no call. And I found out on social media that I made the 53-man roster, so I'm really happy about that."

Photos of Miami Dolphins 53-man roster - until they add/drop players

It certainly wasn't lost on Herman, this road less traveled he'd taken.

"It's unreal," he said. "It's a real experience, but it's just a great feeling."

Cut-down day couldn't have turned out better for Herman's family. Everyone had gathered to celebrate his sister's birthday, hoping that bad news wouldn't crash the party. Then again, DJ never took the request from general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to move to offense as one that was going to dent his chances of making the team.

"All you need is an opportunity," he said. "And Sully game me an opportunity."

Jaylen Wright sees some Alec Ingold in DJ Herman

Here was a player being asked to step into a role formerly filled by Alec Ingold, a Pro Bowl fullback. So consider the weight of running back Jaylen Wright attesting to Herman's ability to create running lanes.

"I see Alec in him," Wright said. "Kind of like his mindset, skillset. Just how he goes about his day. He's a pro already."

"The Hermanator," as Herman has been called, is a weekend away from making his NFL debut. Dolphins players have a three-day weekend before Week 1. Some are returning to their alma mater for a game. Some are heading home to visit relatives. Herman?

"Just staying here and doing a lot more film and studying and getting ready for Vegas," he said, referring to the Sept. 13 opener at the Raiders.

Coach Jeff Hafley already appreciates what it took for Herman to get up to speed on the position.

"Everybody thinks of a fullback is you just need a guy who's going to run through the A gap and try to light up a Mike linebacker," Hafley said. "But that guy's got to have the body control and lateral movement and the ability to adjust, which is similar to a linebacker, if you could picture a linebacker moving and tracking a back.

"I give him a lot of credit. He worked really hard to study the new position, the physicality, the toughness, how hard he's worked, and he earned a spot on the team. And that is a cool story."

Herman, 24, is 6-feet-1, 242 pounds and out of San Diego State, where he played linebacker. But the Dolphins stockpiled linebackers in the draft, selecting Jacob Rodriguez, Trey Moore and Kyle Louis. Shortly thereafter came the call Herman didn't see coming.

"They were like, 'Yeah, we're really heavy in the linebacker room, so how about you switch over to fullback and we can get you an opportunity?' " Herman said. "And I'm like, 'Yeah. Let's do it.' "

Herman's prep for the move included studying film of Ingold, coupling what he learned with the body control Hafley referred to.

"One thing is knowing your assignment and just going 100 miles an hour, doing your assignment the right way," he said.

Not every NFL team has a fullback. Herman is grateful he's on one that values it.

"Right now for the Miami Dolphins , fullback is a position to be," he said. "And we're keeping that alive, in my eyes. And when it comes to the team and what we need to do for the offense, the fullback needs to be in there and get the job done."

First, though, he has to win a job he never expected to be chasing.

The Dolphins had a gap in their roster. And this rookie just hit it.

Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.