Penn Hills has a long history of talented athletes coming through its football program, and Doryan Peay is looking to add his name to that tradition.
Peay is a young running back who describes his game in two words: fast and physical. His approach when the ball is in his hands is even simpler—get to the end zone.
While Peay already has confidence in his ability, he knows there’s plenty of room to grow. He wants to become more elusive as a runner and continue developing his overall game with the goal of eventually being remembered as one of the best running backs to come out of Penn Hills.
That’s a big goal at a school with plenty of football history, but Peay isn’t afraid to set the bar high.
Away from football, there’s more to him than what people see on Friday nights. He’s a Miami Hurricanes fan, hates early-morning workouts, enjoys cooking, and says if football wasn’t an option, you might find him playing baseball or soccer.
I caught up with Peay for a Q&A to talk about his game, his mentality as a running back, his favorite NFL backs, life away from football, and how he hopes Penn Hills remembers him years from now.
Q: For people who haven’t seen you play yet, how would you describe Doryan Peay as a running back?
A: Fast and physical.
Q: What’s your mentality when you get the ball: make somebody miss, run somebody over, or just get to the end zone?
A: Just get to the end zone.
Q: What’s one part of your game you’re working on that you want to look completely different by your senior year?
A: My elusiveness.
Q: Be honest: Would you rather have 200 yards and no touchdowns or 75 yards and four touchdowns?
A: This is a hard one, but I’ll say 75 yards and four touchdowns.
Q: What’s more disrespectful as a running back: trucking somebody, stiff-arming them to the ground, or making them completely miss?
A: I’ll say trucking somebody is the most disrespectful.
Q: Who talks the most trash on the Penn Hills football team?
A: All the linemen.
Q: What’s the toughest defense you’ve played against so far in your career?
A: I don’t know. I can’t say which one is the best. I just try to play my best against each one.
Q: Which two teams do you think will reach the Super Bowl this season?
A: The Patriots and the Rams.
Q: Who are your top five NFL running backs of all time?
A: Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Bo Jackson, and Walter Payton. They’re not in any order; those are just my favorites.
Q: Why do you like the Miami Hurricanes so much?
A: They have a good culture, and I like it. They’ve just always been my team since I was younger.
Q: What’s your go-to pregame song?
A: “Kick Yo Door” by NBA YoungBoy.
Q: What’s worse: 6 a.m. workouts, conditioning after practice, or getting yelled at during film?
A: 6 a.m. workouts. I’m not a morning person at all.
Q: If you couldn’t play football, what sport would you play?
A: Baseball or soccer.
Q: What’s something people at school would be surprised to learn about you?
A: That I like to cook.
Q: Twenty years from now, when somebody mentions Doryan Peay at Penn Hills, what do you want them to say about you?
A: That I was one of the best running backs to come out of Penn Hills.