Durant Lion Dakota Diessner has shown football fans a great deal of effort over the past years. Now, he’ll show Air Force Academy fans what we in Durant all ready know - an offensive threat.
Diessner had a great year for Lions this season. He finished the year with 827 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.0 yards a carry. He finished second on team in receiving yards with 206 yards. As a kick returner he had 313 yards, averaging 16.5 yards.
Last week, Diessner happily made his college career decision to play football for the Air Force Academy. Officially - it hasn’t happened yet, he’ll sign his letter of intent in February.
Diessner had his pick of colleges to attend and the Air Force Academy had more to offer just than football.
“There are benefits. In the long run, after I’m done playing, if I go on further (in football) or not, I’ll have a plan for the rest of my life.” said Diessner.
On the the football side of things, Diessner believes the type of offense they run is a great fit for him.
“They are looking to put me at inside receiver and running back. They like to run the option and flex-bone offense that features plays for the inside receiver and running back. And when they run the play-action pass, they are wide open.” said Diessner. “It’s exactly the type offense that I like to play.”
The head coach for the Air Force once coached in the NFL. Troy Calhoun was the Assistant to Head Coach for the Denver Broncos in 2005 and Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans in 2006. He took over the Air Force head coach position 2007.
“It’s awesome. I’m really looking forward playing for him. I was talking to all the assistant coaches one day and he (Calhoun) pulled me aside and offered me a scholarship. It was very exciting.” said Diessner. “He told me that it’s not going to be easy for the first couple of years. He said that I earned it (scholarship) and all I have to do is keep my nose clean for the next six months and the scholarship is mine.”
The Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Diessner has been playing in the Oklahoma blast furnace for many years, but now he is looking forward playing next to snow top mountains.
“I love it. I love the mountains. My family and I go to Colorado once or two a year since I was a baby. I’m always looking forward to winter time here and I’m excited to be in that environment,” said Diessner.
Durant Lions head coach Byron Cordell is one of Diessner’s greatest supporters and this move to play college at the Air Force has made him very proud.
“He’s a fine young man. I’m proud of him. It takes a special person to enter into the service academy,” said Cordell, “It takes a mentally strong person to make it there and he has the mental strength to do it. I’m going to miss him, but I’m overjoyed that he made this choice.”
Post a Comment
