Dayton Wade discusses his career and time at Ole Miss: ‘I’m just glad the Oxford community welcomed me the way they did’
ATLANTA — Ole Miss wide receiver Dayton Wade spoke with media in Atlanta Tuesday ahead of the Peach Bowl. He announced recently he would not be returning to the Rebels next season, but instead would be pursuing his NFL dreams. Wade, who is a former walk-on, described how difficult his situation was before he earned his scholarship and the mentality it took to keep working hard.
“At the start, I ain’t going to lie, it was a little rocky. It wasn’t peaches and cream. I didn’t even have a meal plan. I was living off homemade sandwiches and scrambled eggs. I eventually worked my way up the ladder.“
Dayton Wade
He talked specifically about why he has declared for the draft.
“When I transferred here, walk-on and all, that (NFL) was my goal. It was to come in, go to the SEC where the best players play, and show them like, ‘hey, I’m playing. I’m here.’ You know what I’m saying? I’m a force to be reckoned with.”
Dayton Wade
He certainly ended up being a force — making acrobatic catches that routinely made Sports Center Top 10 for his gravity-defying movements.
Dayton Wade catch of the year?? 😱pic.twitter.com/VzIryLY7hi
— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 12, 2023
In 2022, Wade played a smaller role for the Rebs, collecting 309 receiving yards on 27 receptions. But one year later, Dayton almost doubled his stats, catching 29 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns.
He expressed his appreciation for the constant support he has received during his time as a Rebel.
“Now that I’m at the end of this Ole Miss road, I’m just glad the Oxford community welcomed me the way they did. They’re the reason I’m here. I see all the encouragement and what-not on Twitter. The Ole Miss community is great, and I’m thankful to be in this position.“
Dayton Wade
To cap off his collegiate career, Dayton will have the chance to play in a stadium that is in his own backyard, barely an hour away from his hometown in Hampton, Georgia.
Wade described his excitement to play in Atlanta.
“This game really definitely means a lot to me, especially since I started off my career when I was in Kentucky, so my family wasn’t really traveling to Kentucky and whatnot. Now I’m in Mississippi, so finally to get to play at home, like really, really at home, I’m looking forward to that.”
Ole Miss will kick off against Penn State at 11 a.m. CT this Saturday on ESPN, where the Rebels are searching for their first 11-win season in the history of the program. Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for more during bowl week. Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Athletics)
