Dallas Baker is the nephew of former Florida Gator and NFL receiver Wes Chandler who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 1st round of the 1978 NFL draft. Dallas attended New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach, Florida where he was a receiver on the football team. As a senior, Dallas caught 68 passes for 1,140 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named first team all-state and Central Florida Player of the Year. He was considered to be one of the top receiver prospects in the state and he signed to play at the University of Florida. Since he was academically ineligible to enroll at Florida, Dallas spent a year at Northfield Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts where he caught 32 passes for 916 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2001. Dallas finally made it to Florida where he sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He saw action in all 13 games the following season, hauling in 13 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore, Dallas saw action in all 12 games, starting three contests. He caught 26 passes for 410 yards and 5 touchdowns on the year. As a junior, Baker caught 52 passes for 697 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Outback Bowl following his 10 cach 147 yard performance His senior season would be the best of his career. Dallas set career highs in receptions (60), yards (920), and touchdowns (10). He was named first team all-SEC for his play as a senior.

Dallas Baker has a good deal of experience against top competition, having played for the Florida Gators in the SEC over the past four years. He has a good combination of size, strength, and athleticism for a receiver. He runs good routes and uses his size to put himself in position to make the catch. He has good body control, reliable hands, and he will go up and get the ball at its highest point. Once he has the ball in his hands, Baker’s size and strength make him difficult for some defensive backs to bring down. He isn’t very elusive and won’t get many yards after the catch. He lacks the speed to stretch the field vertically and he may have trouble gaining separation against NFL defensive backs. He is a decent blocker but he still could improve in that area. Dallas will drop catchable balls at times, especially in traffic over the middle. He is also said to be a “slow learner” who may have a difficult time learning an NFL playbook. Dallas Baker has the ability to develop into a solid possession receiver at the next level. He should be a mid round pick in the 2007 NFL draft.