By: Jake Boals | Date: April 27, 2026
Quick Read: 3 Key Takeaways
- Anthony Hankerson Joins the Dolphins
The Boynton Beach native and St. Thomas Aquinas alum returns home after a record-setting career at Oregon State, where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Hankerson joins Miami’s running back room as a high-upside UDFA, competing for a roster spot in training camp. - De’Von Achane Contract Talks Are Trending Positive
GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has confirmed Achane is “not available for trade” and that extension talks are moving in the right direction. Achane has also been spotted working out at the Dolphins’ facility, signaling his commitment to finalizing a deal. - Depth Chart Shaping Up
With Hankerson and Le’Veon Moss added as UDFAs, Miami’s backfield now features Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon, and two rookies competing for spots. The Dolphins are building depth and competition as they prepare for training camp under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
Read the Full Story Below:
A Florida kid comes home — and the Achane situation is trending in the right direction.
The Miami Dolphins had a busy post-draft weekend, and it wasn’t just about the picks. While the football world was still digesting the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami quietly signed one of the most productive undrafted running backs in this class — Anthony Hankerson out of Oregon State — while simultaneously managing one of the most critical contract situations in the AFC.
This is a story about depth, loyalty, and a Florida kid finding his way home. Let’s break it all down, Fins fans.
A Florida Kid Returns Home
Before we even get to the football, let’s appreciate the storyline here.
Anthony Hankerson is a Boynton Beach, Florida native — a product of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, one of the most storied football programs in the entire state. He left home to grind it out at Oregon State, put up numbers that landed him in the program’s record books, and now he’s coming back to South Florida — this time as a Miami Dolphin.
That’s a story worth rooting for right there.
Who Is Anthony Hankerson? The Numbers Tell the Story
Don’t let the “undrafted” label fool you. Hankerson is a certified workhorse who produced at an elite level for two straight seasons in a Power Five conference.
Career Stats at Oregon State
| Season | Carries | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Receptions | Rec Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Junior) | ~232 | ~1,082 | ~15 | ~27 | ~151 |
| 2025 (Senior) | 247 | 1,086 | 9 | 22 | 123 |
| Career Total | 479 | 2,168 | 24 | 49 | ~274 |
2025 season stats confirmed by PFF and ESPN. Career totals confirmed by Oregon State Athletics.
The Program History He Made
This wasn’t just a guy padding stats on a bad team. Hankerson etched his name into Oregon State history:
- 10th all-time in Oregon State rushing yards.
- 8th all-time in Oregon State rushing touchdowns.
- Only the 6th player in program history to rush for 1,000+ yards in back-to-back seasons — and the first to do it in nearly two decades.
- Played in and started all 12 games in his senior season — zero durability concerns.
What the Scouts Are Saying
PFF tracked Hankerson forcing 57 missed tackles in 2025 alone — a number that speaks directly to his ability to make defenders miss and fight for extra yards after contact.
Analysts like Trey Daubert of Vendetta Sports Media have praised his versatility as both a runner and receiver, noting his ability to grind out tough yards when the play breaks down.
Why He Went Undrafted
Two factors likely kept him off draft boards despite elite production:
- Size — At 5’8″, he’s undersized by traditional NFL standards for a featured back.
- Program instability — Oregon State faced significant coaching changes and conference upheaval during his tenure, limiting national spotlight opportunities.
The Running Back Room: Where Hankerson Fits
Let’s be honest with ourselves, Fins fans — Hankerson is not walking in and taking carries from De’Von Achane. But here’s how the depth chart shakes out heading into training camp:
| Player | Status | Role |
|---|---|---|
| De’Von Achane | Contract extension talks | RB1 — The Franchise |
| Jaylen Wright | Roster lock | RB2 |
| Ollie Gordon | Roster lock | RB3 |
| Le’Veon Moss | UDFA | Camp battle |
| Anthony Hankerson | UDFA | Camp battle |
Hankerson enters camp as a long shot to crack the 53-man roster — but his receiving ability out of the backfield, local roots, and relentless motor give him a real argument to stick around. Training camp is where Dolphins are made, and this kid has something to prove.
The Big Story: De’Von Achane’s Contract Situation
Now for the storyline every Dolphins fan is actually losing sleep over.
De’Von Achane — coming off a career-best season with over 1,800 scrimmage yards and a league-leading yards per carry — is in the final stretch of his rookie deal. And the rumors of a potential trade sent shockwaves through Dolphins Nation earlier this month.
GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has been loud, clear, and direct about where things stand:
“He is not available for trade. Things are going good. We’ve had some positive conversations over the last couple of days, trending in the right direction. He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing, and it’s all part of it. We’ll get where we need to be one way or the other, but yeah, things are trending in the right direction.”
And here’s the detail that should make every Fins fan breathe a little easier: Achane has been spotted working out at the Dolphins’ facility — a move widely interpreted as a sign of good faith from the star running back as both sides continue extension talks.
The Athletic reports that a source confirmed Achane’s facility visit was specifically intended to signal his commitment to getting a deal done.
The Bottom Line for Fins Nation
Here’s the full picture heading into the summer:
- Achane is staying — Sullivan has been emphatic, talks are trending right, and Achane is showing up to the facility.
- Hankerson is a high-upside UDFA with legitimate production, local ties, and something to prove in camp.
- The backfield has real depth — Achane, Wright, Gordon, and now two UDFA backs competing for roster spots.
- The extension isn’t done yet — Until ink hits paper, stay tuned.
This Dolphins team under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is building something. The draft is done. The UDFA class is signed. Now it’s time for training camp to tell the story.
Sources
The Athletic: Dolphins RB De’Von Achane ‘Not Available for Trade’ as Contract Talks Continue (April 15, 2026)
Dolphins Wire / USA Today: 2026 Dolphins Undrafted Free Agent Tracker (April 25, 2026)
Oregon State Athletics: Anthony Hankerson 2025 Football Roster Bio
PFF: Anthony Hankerson Oregon State Beavers HB Profile & Stats
Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins UDFA Tracker: Undrafted Free Agent Signings (April 25, 2026)
ESPN: De’Von Achane ‘Not Available’ for Trade, Dolphins GM Says
