Already a 'natural leader' Dayton Wade taking on more responsibility in Ole Miss receivers room
Dayton Wade made a big splash when he came onto the scene at Ole Miss last season. Now with the wide receivers room without two veterans he is ready to slide into that role for 2023.
The walk-on became a playmaker throughout the 2022 campaign and is ready to build off that for his second and final season in Oxford.
While his on-the-field performance is one he wants to improve, Wade wants to also become a reliable teammate off the field in the locker room and is already working on it.
“Spring practice for me has been more of a developing role,” Wade said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m more so trying to become, well actually I’m already a natural leader. (Ole Miss wide receivers coach Derrik Nix) emphasizes that a lot. Really for me, I just want to become a better leader. Know the offense more so that I can call the plays at some point. I can line everyone up and say ‘Okay, this is what we need to do here.'”
Someone like Wade wanting to step up and take over one of the leadership roles made open by the departure of Jonathan Mingo to the NFL is a positive sign for the Ole Miss locker room.
“This spring I’m just focusing on becoming a role model,” Wade added.
The one thing Wade took away from his first season at Ole Miss was how Mingo led the receivers all season. Not the stats put up in games but how Mingo carried himself in the locker room, something Wade is ready to emulate this year.
“Luckily I had a veteran with me. Mingo,” Wade said. “Mingo really just showed me the way. Showed all of us the way. Like, ‘Okay, this is how it’s done.’ …Last year I just got a taste. Now it’s time to get the whole thing.”
Wade finished last season as Ole Miss’ fourth best receiver and finished with the second most touchdown passes.
With 27 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns Wade was behind Malik Heath, Mingo and Jordan Watkins. Heath and Mingo had five touchdown catches each while Wade tied with tight end Michael Trigg.
He has been working in the slot and also taking reps outside in the first two-plus weeks of spring practices.
Watkins is one that is becoming a “commander on the field,” according to Wade, while Jalen Knox is also stepping up in a leadership role within the receivers.
An example of Knox’s leadership is he asked all of the receivers to go to Walmart on Wednesday night and buy supplies for those affected by the Mississippi tornadoes over the last couple of weeks.
The Ole Miss athletics department is holding a tornado relief drive this week.
“It was a good thing. A nice, little fun experience,” Wade said. “For me, from my standpoint, I wish somebody would help me if I was in a bad position. That’s why I was like, ‘Okay, I’m willing to help others.'”
Watch Wade’s full post-practice interview below. Video provided by Ole Miss Sports Productions.
