The Miami Dolphins kept an unexpected presence on their initial 53-man roster this week when undrafted rookie DJ Herman secured a role as a fullback after spending four years as a collegiate linebacker at San Diego State.
From linebacker to fullback
Herman’s path to the NFL was unconventional. He arrived in Miami as an undrafted free agent and made his mark at a position he scarcely played in college, with only 17 snaps at fullback in his final San Diego State season. Despite the limited experience on offense, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Herman absorbed the playbook quickly and demonstrated the traits the staff sought.
“He’s a smart player and was able to pick up the offense fairly quickly,” Hafley said. “That can be a hard transition going defense to offense. He’s a physical player. He embraced the role the way he’s able to adjust laterally to make those blocks… I give him a lot of credit. He earned a spot on the team. It’s a cool story.”
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan later greeted Herman with congratulations, telling him, according to Herman’s recollection, “Congratulations; welcome to the squad. You’re going to make us win and do a lot of good things for this program.”
Unstable roster process and finality
Herman said the confirmation of his roster status came in an unusual way: he first learned his name appeared on the 53-man list via social media before a team official formally informed him. The uncertainty persisted past the initial cut day; Miami released another wave of players Monday to clear spots for waiver claims.
Herman was not among the eight additional players cut to make room for eight waiver claims and described relief and gratitude after the final moves were complete. He spent part of the waiting period celebrating his sister’s birthday with family, and said an agent’s call alerted him to the social-media post showing his name on the roster.
Why the move matters
The Dolphins keeping an undrafted, position-converting rookie highlights two broader themes in NFL roster building: value placed on athletic versatility and the increasing role of lead-blocking/fullback-type play in some offensive schemes. Hafley emphasized that modern fullback work requires more than straightforward blocking; lateral movement and the capacity to adjust in space are critical, traits Herman displayed in practice.
- Experience shift: Four-year college linebacker to NFL fullback.
- Limited college snaps: 17 snaps at fullback in final collegiate season.
- Roster dynamics: Named to initial 53-man roster; roster finalized after additional cuts and waiver activity.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| College position | Linebacker (4 years) |
| Fullback snaps in college | 17 |
| NFL roster status | Made initial 53-man roster |
Herman’s story also underscores the human side of the roster grind. Players often wait for official word for hours or days while teams process cuts, trades and waiver claims. Herman described the experience as “a lot of waiting,” balanced against family time and eventual relief when the roster held steady.
For the Dolphins, the decision to keep Herman reflects a judgment about fit and potential more than draft pedigree. His combination of intelligence, physicality and rapid learning convinced coaches that he could meet the demands of a specialized role that can be pivotal in short-yardage and blocking assignments.
As the regular season approaches, Herman will enter a backup and situational role, one that carries opportunity for playing time when game plans call for a traditional lead blocker or direct-contact assignments. For an undrafted player who changed sides of the ball and learned a new position on the fly, the immediate reward is roster security and an opening to translate practice performance into game-day contributions.
The broader NFL landscape will watch whether Miami’s gamble on a converted linebacker proves a model for finding low-cost, high-upside contributors at specialized positions.
