When most people hear the name Josh Dallas, they immediately think of Prince Charming from Once Upon a Time or Ben Stone’s intense gaze in Manifest. It makes sense. The actor has a massive global following. But in the world of the Sun Belt Conference, Josh Dallas football means something entirely different. It’s not about Hollywood scripts or supernatural plane crashes. It’s about a 6-foot-2 wide receiver for the Georgia Southern Eagles who has quietly become one of the more reliable targets in Statesboro.
Honestly, the name confusion is constant. If you search for him on social media, you’ll likely find thousands of fan edits of a TV star before you find the highlights of a kid from Sharpsburg, Georgia, mossing a defensive back. But for those watching the Eagles, the football Josh Dallas is a real-deal athlete who has fought through the typical "son of a coach" labels to carve out his own identity on the field.
The Sharpsburg Roots and the Coach’s Son Label
Josh didn't just stumble onto a football field. He grew up in it. His father, Kenny Dallas, is a legendary figure in Georgia high school football circles, specifically at Trinity Christian School. Josh played under his dad, and that comes with a specific kind of pressure. You’re expected to be the smartest guy on the field. You're expected to never miss a block.
He didn't just meet those expectations; he shattered them.
During his senior year at Trinity Christian, the team went a perfect 14-0. They won the state championship. Josh was basically a Swiss Army knife. He was a two-way player, logging 56 catches for 882 yards and five touchdowns, while also chipping in over 40 tackles on defense. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution even tabbed him as the best player in the 1A Private classification before that season started.
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It wasn’t just about the stats, though. It was the twin dynamic. His brother, David Dallas, was the quarterback. Imagine the chemistry—a literal biological connection between the guy throwing the ball and the guy catching it. While David eventually signed with Western Michigan, Josh stayed closer to home, joining Clay Helton’s first recruiting class at Georgia Southern.
Making the Jump: Josh Dallas Football at Georgia Southern
College ball is a different beast. You go from being "the man" in a small town to being another number in a locker room full of three and four-star recruits. Josh redshirted his first year in 2022. That’s the "grind in silence" phase. He spent 2023 mostly on special teams, getting his feet wet and learning the speed of the Division I game.
Then came 2024. This was the breakout.
He wasn't a "speed burner" in the sense of a track star, but his route running was crisp. He had hands like glue. By the time conference play rolled around, Josh became a go-to guy for the Eagles. He ended that season with 46 receptions for 614 yards and six touchdowns. If you watch the tape from the Georgia State game that year, you see a receiver who knows exactly how to find the soft spot in a zone. He caught nine balls for 89 yards that night. It was his coming-out party.
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The 2025 Setback and the Long Road Back
Football is a brutal game. Just as Josh was starting to flash that big-play potential in the early 2025 season—including a 59-yard touchdown grab in the opener—injury struck. It’s the part of the story nobody likes to write.
After just two starts, his season was effectively over.
Currently, the talk around Statesboro involves a medical hardship waiver. Because he only played a fraction of the 2025 season, there’s a strong chance he gets that year of eligibility back. For Josh, 2026 isn't just another season; it’s the "prove it" year. He’s listed at 205 pounds now, a solid frame for a guy who excels at contested catches.
What Scouters Actually See
If you’re looking at Josh Dallas through a professional lens, you aren't looking for 4.3 speed. You’re looking at the nuances.
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- Route Depth: He doesn't round off his breaks.
- IQ: Being a coach's son means he sees the safety rotation before the ball is even snapped.
- Versatility: He can slide into the slot or play X on the perimeter.
People often ask if he's related to the actor. No. They have zero relation. One is a classically trained actor from Kentucky; the other is a gritty wideout from Georgia who probably spends more time in a film room than on a movie set.
Why You Should Care About the "Other" Josh Dallas
In an era of the Transfer Portal and NIL deals, Josh Dallas represents a bit of the "old school" college football path. He stayed at his school, waited his turn, and produced when the number was called. He’s a blue-collar player in a high-octane offense.
With his brother David also navigating the college football world, the Dallas family remains a staple of the sport's ecosystem. Whether Josh ends up moving through the portal himself for a final grad year or finishes his career as a legendary Eagle, the impact is undeniable.
Next Steps for Fans and Scouts:
- Watch the 2026 Opener: If the medical waiver is granted, expect him to be the primary red-zone target.
- Monitor the Portal: If Georgia Southern undergoes coaching shifts, a player with his catch radius will be highly coveted by Power 4 programs looking for a reliable veteran.
- Check the Stats: Don't just look at yards; look at "Third Down Conversions." That is where Josh makes his money.
Josh Dallas football might not have the Hollywood star on the sidewalk yet, but in the Sun Belt, he's a leading man in his own right.