*  Offensive Lineman Dylan Anderson recently pledged his college football services to CMU.  Here’s his recruiting highlight video. Currently, he plays for Brother Rice, a powerhouse MI HS football program.

A few months ago, I had a long, enjoyable conversation with legendary football coach Al Fracassa, who coaches Brother Rice. So, in light of Dylan’s commitment, I again gave Coach a call and asked to speak with Dylan.  Both kindly obliged my request.  Here’s some information on the newest addition to our football team:

Measurables and Position

“I’m 6’4” and 275 pounds and an offensive tackle…I think in college I could probably move to guard or center…it’s [line position] pretty flexible…”

Recruitment and Relationships

“Coach Cummings was the one who offered me.  Well, Coach Enos, I talked to him on the phone and he’s the one who told me I was getting a scholarship.  But Coach Cummings was the one who was recruiting me the whole way through…I came down to [talk to] coach Fracassa and he told me that 2 OTHER KIDS COMMITTED TO CENTRAL AND THERE’S 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE OFFENSIVE LINE**.  And if I don’t commit now I could lose my spot, so I decided to commit…

…I’ve been talking to other schools…Like all of the other MAC schools but none of them have really offered yet…Central the most, then you know Toledo, Western, Eastern.”

Strengths and Weaknesses

“They [the coaches] would say, ‘I like the way you get off the ball; you move really well’…I see my best strength as run blocking…I wouldn’t call it a weakness, but pass blocking is probably my least favorite part.”

Decision on CMU

“It’s a great school.  I went to their Junior Day and I loved the campus and it’s a really great facility.  I really like it there.”

Impressions

Dylan is already a decent sized player who will only add more strength and weight.  I can’t say that I know a lot about evaluating offensive linemen, but he goes up against the best in-state competition and still stands out on film.  I project Dylan to the guard position in college, but as he says, it’s “flexible.”

Also, it’s always nice to see kids play other sports besides football:  it speaks to/helps develop their overall athleticism.  In addition to football, Dylan plays basketball for the Warriors and competes in Track and Field at shot put and discus throw.

*Yes, he plays basketball too

**Dylan didn’t happen to know the names of the two offensive lineman who have already committed.  Even if he did, I would have to touch base with those players before publishing that information because the kids could be “silent commits” or have other reasons for not widely broadcasting their decisions as we know many/most kids like to do.