2016 FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA (Campus Insiders)
2017 (Sophomore): Named to the Maxwell Award watch list.
2016 (True Freshman): One of six true freshmen that saw playing time for Georgia Tech in 2016 … Named honorable-mention freshman all-America by Campus Insiders … Two-time ACC co-Rookie of the Week (Sept. 17 vs. Vanderbilt, Oct. 1 vs. Miami) … Became the first Yellow Jacket to be named ACC Rookie of the Week multiple times since Calvin Johnson earned the award four times as a freshman in 2004 … Appeared in nine games at B-back with seven starts … Missed three games due to suspensions and one due to injury … Despite only playing in nine games, led the team with 771 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns (12 rushing, one receiving) … Although he played at least four fewer games than his nearest competitors, his 12 rushing touchdowns were tied for third nationally among freshmen … If he played in enough games to meet the minimum for inclusion in FBS per game stats, he would have ranked second among all freshmen nationally in scoring (8.7 ppg) and fourth among freshmen in rushing (85.7 ypg) … Rushed for at least 57 yards in eight of the nine games played … Scored at least one touchdown in eight of the nine games played … Became the first true freshman to start a season opener for Georgia Tech since WR Tyler Melton in 2008 when he earned the starting assignment at B-back versus Boston College (Sept. 3) … Capped his collegiate debut in grand fashion, scoring from four yards out with 35 seconds to go to lift the Jackets to a 17-14 win over BC … Game-winning touchdown run capped an 18-carry, 68-yard day … After missing the home opener versus Mercer (Sept. 10), became the first true freshman in Paul Johnson’s nine seasons as Georgia Tech’s head coach to score three touchdowns in a game with TD runs of 15, four and five yards in a 38-7 romp over Vanderbilt (Sept. 17) … Was a bright spot in a 26-7 loss to Clemson (Sept. 22), running for 75 yards and a score on 16 carries against the No. 5-ranked Tigers … Once again scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) against Miami (Oct. 1) … Ran for 89 yards on 13 carries (6.8 avg.) and scored two touchdowns in win over Georgia Southern (Oct. 15) … Missed Oct. 29 game vs. Duke due to injury but returned to rush for a then-career-high 132 yards and a touchdown on just 19 carries (6.9 avg.) at No. 18 North Carolina … Closed the regular season with a fourth-quarter touchdown run in Georgia Tech’s come-from-behind 28-27 win at Georgia (Nov. 26) … Named TaxSlayer Bowl MVP after rushing for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown in the Yellow Jackets’ 33-18 win over Kentucky (Dec. 31) … 31 carries in bowl win were also a career high … 169 rushing yards were the most by an ACC player and the seventh-most by any ball-carrier nationwide during the 2016 postseason … Earned a spot on ESPN.com’s 2016 ACC all-bowl team.
High School: Standout two-way player that earned Gwinnett Daily Post Offensive Player of the Week recognition after rushing for 170 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries while also posting five tackles in a win over Brookwood during senior campaign … Earned first-team all-state honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and honorable-mention all-state recognition from the Georgia Sports Writers Association as a linebacker following senior campaign … Also named Region 3-5A Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … Recorded 96 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles at linebacker while rushing for 1,211 yards and 22 touchdowns at running back during senior season … Helped lead Ware County H.S. (coach Franklin Stephens) to 2015 Georgia 5A state semifinals … Four-year letterwinner started every game of his high-school career … Rushed for 584 yards en route to being a second-team all-region selection as a junior.
Personal: Full name is Dedrick Deshon Mills … Born Dec. 27, 1996 … Son of Sharon Mills … Is one of four siblings … Older brother, Kenny, is a member of the U.S. Navy with the rank of Yeoman second class stationed at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla. … Started playing football at age five … Majoring in business administration … Aspires for a career in sports medicine.
CAREER HIGHS
Rushing Attempts: 31 vs. Kentucky, Dec. 31, 2016
Rushing Yards: 169 yards vs. Kentucky, Dec. 31, 2016
Rushing TDs: 3 vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 17, 2016
Longest Rush: 39 yards at No. 18/17 North Carolina, Nov. 5, 2016
Receptions: 1, twice – last vs. No. 14 Miami (Fla.), Oct. 1, 2016
Receiving Yards: 9 yards vs. No. 14 Miami (Fla.), Oct. 1, 2016
Receiving TDs: 1 vs. No. 14 Miami (Fla.), Oct. 1, 2016
Longest Reception: 9 yards vs. No. 14 Miami (Fla.), Oct. 1, 2016
