Bulls' First 1,000-Yard Rusher McMillan Reaches Academic Goal Line
December 10, 2020 | Football
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, DEC. 10, 2020 – Dyral McMillan was proud to become the first player in USF football history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and he's elated about accomplishing another fantastic collegiate feat more than 20 years after his final snap as a Bull.
McMillan, whose last course on campus was in 2000, linked back up this fall with USF Athletics' academic services unit and the university to take the online courses needed to cross his academic goal line. Sure enough, the former running back excelled in his pursuit of a USF degree and is projected to earn a diploma and participate in the university's virtual commencement ceremonies on Saturday.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," he said. "I just feel so proud and excited."
Soon, the 43-year-old will be able to look back and tell his five children – now all adults – and the rest of his family how he was able to "push through" on the football field and in the classroom.
"I was blessed with an opportunity to bounce back and blessed with an opportunity to do what I came to school to do from the beginning," he said. "That wasn't just to play football, but it was to earn my education."
McMillan's path to ultimate success as a student-athlete started farther south in the Sunshine State at the University of Miami. He totaled 1,031 rushing yards for the Hurricanes from 1995-97, playing in 23 out of 34 possible games during that stretch. He saw action in just three outings in his final season at Miami, which was shortened by a shoulder injury.
Debating his next football move, McMillan, a Bradenton native, wanted to get closer to home and allow his parents to catch more games, so USF was an ideal destination.
He even had a "long history" with former USF head coach Jim Leavitt, dating back to when the former Bradenton Southeast High School standout was being courted by college programs across the nation.
"He recruited me when he was at Kansas State when I came out of high school. I built a strong relationship with him," McMillan said. "I actually committed to Kansas State because of him, but I ended up going to Miami. That was my last official visit."
Fortunately for McMillan, he was able to eventually join forces with Leavitt and spent two productive seasons in the green and gold.
"I feel honored and privileged that I had an opportunity to come to USF," he said. "My teammates, I have lifetime relationships with."
Although McMillan arrived in Tampa in 1998, he didn't really get the chance to make a major impact for the USF football program until 1999. That impact was big as the 5-10, 220-pounder became the first Bull to reach the 1,000-yard rushing milestone in a season posting 1,017 yards, which still stands as the 9th-best season mark in program history.
Incredible is a good way to describe how he made it happen with a late season surge.
"The last two games of the season, I needed (nearly) 500 yards to rush for 1,000 yards," said McMillan, who had 538 yards heading into a matchup with New Haven at then 1-year-old Raymond James Stadium.
Successfully completing what seemed like mission impossible became much more probable after McMillan racked up 258 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in a 41-27 victory over the Chargers. The superb yardage total set a USF record that still stands fourth in program single-game rushing history for yardage and third for carries.
"It was quite exhilarating getting your number called so many times. The offensive line and coaches were believing in me," he said. "They just created opportunities for me and it led to an extraordinary day, my best football outing of my whole career. I never had a game where I had over 20 carries prior to that. It was amazing."
Following the then USF record day, McMillan pushed his season rushing total to 796 yards. Another heavy dose of carries awaited him on Senior Night at Ray Jay. Against FCS No. 6- ranked Hofstra he rushed an astounding 40 times – a still-standing USF record – for 221 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Bull.
McMillan got his 1,000-yard season and a gridiron tale to share for the rest of his life.
"It's just a combination of having perseverance, rededicating myself to my craft and focusing on what's important and doing what the coaches asked me to do," he said.
Pursuit of College Degree Takes More Time
McMillan called the late-season rush to reach the 1,000-yard mark in his final collegiate games "a dream come true."
Realizing another important college goal – receiving his degree - would have to wait a bit longer.
"I had a lot of things in life happen," he explained.
Since 1999, McMillan has dedicated himself to being a devoted family man, much like his beloved father, John, "a real high-caliber person," who died in 2011.
"He was a coach and teacher for 37 years in the school system here in Manatee County," McMillan said. "He's well-known and well-respected in the community. I just want to do whatever I can to continue that legacy for my dad and continue to make him proud."
John would certainly be pleased to see what his son has continued to accomplish, especially this year.
Not too long ago, McMillan got a call from a Bulls' academic services staff member asking if he'd be interested in finishing school.
"I told them 'absolutely!'" he said. "I just hit the ground running. They put me with a counselor and he advised me on the classes I needed to take."
Technology has allowed McMillan to finish what he started as a full-time student this fall semester from his home in Bradenton. That's in addition to his full-time job in medical billing for a company that works with about 50 hospitals throughout states like Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
When he's not providing customer service or studying, McMillan also works for his uncle's barbeque catering business, Choo Choo's, at the Parrish location. The work schedule consists of both weekend days and he's done it for about five years.
Two jobs, family responsibilities and being a student again in the unique year of 2020 takes much dedication, but it's all worth it for the soon-to-be college grad.
"It's definitely been a lot, but I've been diligent and practicing perseverance and it's paid off," he said.
This Saturday, he'll get to celebrate the completion of the academic journey he began all the way back in the 1990s.
"Everybody is excited. Everybody is proud," he said. "It's just a great family moment."
Along with lots of hugs and heartfelt congratulations, the grand prize for McMillan is a bachelor's degree in general studies and he has special focus in mind for that degree.
"I want to try to get involved in government, probably in the community initially, learning about politics, procedures and ways I can better help my community's growth and be a unit as one," McMillan said.
McMillan's 18-year-old son, Dyral Jr., is on the verge of beginning his own college journey and is currently weighing his college football options as an 18-year-old offensive/defensive lineman.
These are exciting times for the McMillan family, to say the least.
"I'm just as happy now as I was when I was playing football," McMillan said. "God has been good to me and my family."
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, DEC. 10, 2020 – Dyral McMillan was proud to become the first player in USF football history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and he's elated about accomplishing another fantastic collegiate feat more than 20 years after his final snap as a Bull.
McMillan, whose last course on campus was in 2000, linked back up this fall with USF Athletics' academic services unit and the university to take the online courses needed to cross his academic goal line. Sure enough, the former running back excelled in his pursuit of a USF degree and is projected to earn a diploma and participate in the university's virtual commencement ceremonies on Saturday."I'm on cloud nine right now," he said. "I just feel so proud and excited."
Soon, the 43-year-old will be able to look back and tell his five children – now all adults – and the rest of his family how he was able to "push through" on the football field and in the classroom.
"I was blessed with an opportunity to bounce back and blessed with an opportunity to do what I came to school to do from the beginning," he said. "That wasn't just to play football, but it was to earn my education."
McMillan's path to ultimate success as a student-athlete started farther south in the Sunshine State at the University of Miami. He totaled 1,031 rushing yards for the Hurricanes from 1995-97, playing in 23 out of 34 possible games during that stretch. He saw action in just three outings in his final season at Miami, which was shortened by a shoulder injury.
Debating his next football move, McMillan, a Bradenton native, wanted to get closer to home and allow his parents to catch more games, so USF was an ideal destination.
He even had a "long history" with former USF head coach Jim Leavitt, dating back to when the former Bradenton Southeast High School standout was being courted by college programs across the nation.
"He recruited me when he was at Kansas State when I came out of high school. I built a strong relationship with him," McMillan said. "I actually committed to Kansas State because of him, but I ended up going to Miami. That was my last official visit."
Fortunately for McMillan, he was able to eventually join forces with Leavitt and spent two productive seasons in the green and gold.
"I feel honored and privileged that I had an opportunity to come to USF," he said. "My teammates, I have lifetime relationships with."
Although McMillan arrived in Tampa in 1998, he didn't really get the chance to make a major impact for the USF football program until 1999. That impact was big as the 5-10, 220-pounder became the first Bull to reach the 1,000-yard rushing milestone in a season posting 1,017 yards, which still stands as the 9th-best season mark in program history.
Incredible is a good way to describe how he made it happen with a late season surge.
"The last two games of the season, I needed (nearly) 500 yards to rush for 1,000 yards," said McMillan, who had 538 yards heading into a matchup with New Haven at then 1-year-old Raymond James Stadium.
Successfully completing what seemed like mission impossible became much more probable after McMillan racked up 258 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in a 41-27 victory over the Chargers. The superb yardage total set a USF record that still stands fourth in program single-game rushing history for yardage and third for carries."It was quite exhilarating getting your number called so many times. The offensive line and coaches were believing in me," he said. "They just created opportunities for me and it led to an extraordinary day, my best football outing of my whole career. I never had a game where I had over 20 carries prior to that. It was amazing."
Following the then USF record day, McMillan pushed his season rushing total to 796 yards. Another heavy dose of carries awaited him on Senior Night at Ray Jay. Against FCS No. 6- ranked Hofstra he rushed an astounding 40 times – a still-standing USF record – for 221 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Bull.
McMillan got his 1,000-yard season and a gridiron tale to share for the rest of his life.
"It's just a combination of having perseverance, rededicating myself to my craft and focusing on what's important and doing what the coaches asked me to do," he said.
Pursuit of College Degree Takes More Time
McMillan called the late-season rush to reach the 1,000-yard mark in his final collegiate games "a dream come true."
Realizing another important college goal – receiving his degree - would have to wait a bit longer.
"I had a lot of things in life happen," he explained.
Since 1999, McMillan has dedicated himself to being a devoted family man, much like his beloved father, John, "a real high-caliber person," who died in 2011."He was a coach and teacher for 37 years in the school system here in Manatee County," McMillan said. "He's well-known and well-respected in the community. I just want to do whatever I can to continue that legacy for my dad and continue to make him proud."
John would certainly be pleased to see what his son has continued to accomplish, especially this year.
Not too long ago, McMillan got a call from a Bulls' academic services staff member asking if he'd be interested in finishing school.
"I told them 'absolutely!'" he said. "I just hit the ground running. They put me with a counselor and he advised me on the classes I needed to take."
Technology has allowed McMillan to finish what he started as a full-time student this fall semester from his home in Bradenton. That's in addition to his full-time job in medical billing for a company that works with about 50 hospitals throughout states like Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
When he's not providing customer service or studying, McMillan also works for his uncle's barbeque catering business, Choo Choo's, at the Parrish location. The work schedule consists of both weekend days and he's done it for about five years.
Two jobs, family responsibilities and being a student again in the unique year of 2020 takes much dedication, but it's all worth it for the soon-to-be college grad.
"It's definitely been a lot, but I've been diligent and practicing perseverance and it's paid off," he said.
This Saturday, he'll get to celebrate the completion of the academic journey he began all the way back in the 1990s.
"Everybody is excited. Everybody is proud," he said. "It's just a great family moment."
Along with lots of hugs and heartfelt congratulations, the grand prize for McMillan is a bachelor's degree in general studies and he has special focus in mind for that degree.
"I want to try to get involved in government, probably in the community initially, learning about politics, procedures and ways I can better help my community's growth and be a unit as one," McMillan said.
McMillan's 18-year-old son, Dyral Jr., is on the verge of beginning his own college journey and is currently weighing his college football options as an 18-year-old offensive/defensive lineman.These are exciting times for the McMillan family, to say the least.
"I'm just as happy now as I was when I was playing football," McMillan said. "God has been good to me and my family."
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.
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