BEREA, Ohio » Peyton Hillis has covered a lot of ground this season, moving from third string to offensive playmaker for the Cleveland Browns.

Now, Hillis, an all-everything running back, needs just 38 rushing yards to become the franchise’s eighth 1,000-yard rusher.

"I’m really happy for him, and it’s nice, too, because that’s what he and I talked about on that first call," Browns coach Eric Mangini said. "He was waking up from a nap when we talked and I said, ‘You can come here and get 1,000 yards, you can do that.’ It’s nice to see that came true, because I really believed that when I said it."

Hillis’ story is one of beating the odds.

It’s a story of a rough-and-tumble kid from Arkansas who spent his college career with the Razorbacks in the shadows, serving as a blocking fullback for two 1,000-yard rushers.

In the 2008 NFL Draft, Arkansas had three running backs selected – Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) and Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys) in the first round and then about 200 picks later, Hillis in the seventh by the Denver Broncos.

Had Hillis, 24, remained stuck on the bench with the Broncos, his feel-good story might have stalled there.

Instead, he was packaged in a trade to the Browns for quarterback Brady Quinn in the offseason – two players in need of a change of scenery.

Who knew it was Hillis that would take the most advantage?

"It was the Lord’s way of telling me to stay patient and learn how to take adversity and take it well," Hillis said of his time with the Broncos. "It was a rough time for me. But early in the season I prayed for a new beginning and He gave me Cleveland."

With the Browns, Hillis’ 11 rushing touchdowns are tied for second-most in the NFL this season, his 13 touchdowns rank third and his 78 points rank third among nonkickers. He has scored at least one touchdown in 10 of the Browns’ 12 games.

But it’s reaching the gold standard that is the 1,000-yard mark that means the most to Hillis.

"It would be a dream come true," he said. "It’s always been in my dreams to do something like that. But since I’ve been on this team, I see the team unity that we have and a bunch of great guys. I know it would mean a lot to them, too, especially our O-line."

In addition to his running skills, Hillis, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, has shown versatility by being an important cog in the Browns’ passing game. He leads the team with 53 receptions and is second among all NFL running backs to Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy, who has 67. Hillis is just 13 receptions shy of becoming the Browns’ all-time single-season leader in receptions by a running back.

It is finally Hillis’ turn to soak up the spotlight.

"(Reaching 1,000 rushing yards) is a huge milestone in the NFL," left tackle Joe Thomas said. "It’s the measure that everyone gauges themselves against, that 1,000-yard barrier. To have Peyton there earlier in the season than the last game is great. It’s a testament to the way we’ve been blocking up front but also what Peyton has done.

"He’s fought for a lot of extra yards and done a great job setting up our blocks all year. It’s a testament to his character, too, because he’s a guy who kind of came out of nowhere."

Hillis also would be the first white running back to reach the 1,000-yard threshold since Craig James in 1985 with the New England Patriots.

Yet, neither Hillis nor his teammates see the validity of this particular NFL stat.

"The game is evolving; there are Caucasian quarterbacks who can run, too," said linebacker David Bowens with a laugh. "Color doesn’t have anything to do with it. Hillis is a tough, physical running back. When you look at him, I don’t think anybody looks at a color line and says, ‘He’s good for a white running back.’ He’s a great running back, period."

He’s a running back who has four more games to continue to rack up the yards as the winter weather tilts the playing field in the Browns’ favor for the final quarter of the season.

During the Browns’ past two days of practice outside in the snow, most players bundled up in layers and long sleeves and stashed warmers in their gloves and shoes. Hillis went sleeveless.

"He’s your classic bad-weather running back, and that’s what we’re gonna get in December," Thomas said. "So, it’s really exciting to see what we’re going to be able to do. Expectations are high and I’m sure Peyton’s are, too."