OGDEN — Like father, like son.
Weber State senior safety Dallas Drecksel didn't necessarily intend to follow in his father's footsteps and wear the purple and white. But that's the way it has worked out, even down to wearing the same No. 47 jersey.
Actually, Dallas didn't intend for a lot of things that have happened over the course of his college football career, but he continues to take on the challenges just like an unsuspecting receiver going blindly across the middle for a reception — head-on.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound strong safety is expected to play a key role in the Wildcats' 2005 defensive secondary and just participated in his final spring practices. The coaching staff feels Drecksel could be a real impact player, especially after increasing his strength and quickness during winter conditioning.
This probably comes as no surprise to his father, Chad Drecksel, a former Weber State running back. Chad left his mark at Weber State in the mid-1970s and is most remembered for his 97-yard touchdown run against Boise State in 1974, the longest run from scrimmage in school history.
The same Wildcat blood obviously flows in Dallas' veins, leaving little doubt about his athletic ability. At West High, Drecksel played quarterback and excelled as a decathlete.
Following his senior year, he was recruited to play quarterback at Utah State.
But a few days into his career as an Aggie, Drecksel felt things weren't working out, and he decided to walk on at Weber State. He red-shirted in 2001 and played mostly special teams in 2002. By 2003, then WSU coach Jerry Graybeal offered him a scholarship. Drecksel said those first two years were crucial in his success as a college football player.
"I pretty much learned how to play football," Drecksel said. "I got bigger, faster, and the game was much more fun than in high school." --> Drecksel had a breakout year in 2003 and was the third-leading tackler on the team with 77 total (35 unassisted) and recorded one interception. He also returned 19 punts for 185 yards. For his efforts, he earned honorable mention All-Big Sky honors at strong safety, even though he played the last five games at weak inside linebacker.
Drecksel credits a lot of his football success to his father teaching him to take care of his body and properly lift weights.
"He taught me from young to work out," said Drecksel, whose marks include 350 pounds on the bench, 585 on the squat and 330 on the power clean. "(Lifting weights) is real important. It's like the biggest part of playing and keeps you from getting injured also." Teammate Eric Jones thinks opponents should watch out for Drecksel in the coming season.
"Drecksel's a maniac, I love that kid. He's not someone I'd like to get hit by. He's a linebacker with corner speed. He's a smart guy who understands our defense and does a great job running the show back there," Jones said. "I'm just real impressed by Dallas and expect big things from him this year."
While WSU coach Ron McBride acknowledges Drecksel's athletic prowess, he said the senior safety could still improve as a player.
"Dallas is a physical kid," McBride said. "He has good speed, a good body for the game, but he has some areas he needs to get better at. He needs to tackle a little better and keep his head up when he tackles, but he's got a lot of athleticism."