Ex Aggies RB Could See Increased NFL Role

Former Texas A&M standout De’Von Achane could be in for a significantly larger role with the Miami Dolphins this season, and new head coach Jeff Hafley is making sure the explosive running back knows what is coming.

Hafley recently joked that Achane better be ready for a demanding workload in 2026, suggesting there could be games in which the Dolphins lean on their star running back more than 40 times.

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"I just gave Achane a heads-up this morning and I told him, 'You better be in good shape,'" Hafley said. "I told him there might be some games when I have to pick him up and carry him back to the locker room because he’s going to be so tired."

While Hafley's comments were delivered with some humor, they highlight just how important Achane could be to Miami's offense.

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The former Aggie already established himself as one of the NFL's most dangerous weapons during the 2025 season. Achane recorded a career-high 305 touches, including 238 carries and 67 receptions. He surpassed 20 touches in eight games and reached a season-high 28 against the Buffalo Bills.

Now, Miami could ask him to do even more.

The Dolphins enter the season with major changes on offense. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are no longer on the roster, leaving Achane in an even more prominent position within the attack. Miami also has a new head coach in Hafley, a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik, and a new quarterback in Malik Willis.

That makes Achane's role particularly important as the Dolphins transition into a new era.

Hafley even told Achane that he did not want to see the running back give the traditional signal that he needs a breather during the season. The coach joked that if Achane actually reaches 40 or 45 touches in a game, he might have to carry him back to the locker room afterward.

Of course, 40-plus touches would be an extreme workload. Only five players have reached at least 40 touches in a regular-season game since 2010, with Derrick Henry most recently doing so in 2021.

Still, Hafley's comments reinforce that Achane is expected to be the centerpiece of Miami's offense.

The Dolphins rewarded the former Texas A&M star with a four-year, $64 million extension earlier this year, including $32 million guaranteed. That commitment, combined with the changes around him, points toward an even bigger opportunity for one of the NFL's most dynamic playmakers.

For Texas A&M fans, it could be another opportunity to watch Achane's remarkable rise continue on the NFL stage.