Donald (Trey) Toner '20 Recruiting Profile

Throughout my life I’ve always been drawn to competition. My first memory was around the age of 5 when my dad was playing football in the snow with some neighborhood kids. There was enough snow on the ground that my dad allowed them to tackle each other. I wasn’t into sports at the time, so I was reluctant to go outside, so I just watched from the window. During that time I thought to myself, “I bet I would be good at that!” so I went outside and told them I want to play as I believe I could do that. Watching the contact and knowing you can tackle seemed fun. My dad put us all through a little tackle lesson, and the fun began. I have been hooked on football since.

I have been involved in multiple sports since that day, and was encouraged to continue and to try more. I attained an Advanced Red Belt in Karate, winning multiple awards for form. I have played, soccer, baseball from little league through majors, traveling basketball from the “C” league traveling working my way up to the “A” traveling team and into high school where I averaged a double-double. Track from 7^th grade and continuing to this day, as a freshman I made it to sections for a 5AAAAA school and this year I can see myself going far again. I have played tackle football from 3^rd grade until know, wining a couple of Super Bowls along the way. Those are to this day some of my greatest joys. I am one the only player to have lettered as a freshman on our 2^nd place 5AAAAA HS Football team, this was the first time a freshman has lettered in many years. That vaulted me to a starting position as a defensive end as a sophomore. Another important note is my time with USA Football. It has taught me the ability to learn new offenses quickly as well as a slightly new position. We run the veer in HS, while the USA Team runs a spread offense with an “H” back. That experience has brought me great pride. I have been selected for two USA Football National Teams, playing Team Alberta in International Bowl VIII in 2017, and the starter for the International Bowl IX team against Team Japan in 2018. (Both years I was the only TE with a catch in the game.) The games were played at AT&T Stadium home of the Cowboys.

Success brings great opportunities, and opportunities provide challenges for success. I have earned the Jay Nichols award in 8^th grade that was selected by the AD and coaches for “Outstanding Athlete” in the Middle School. One female and male win this award yearly, and it is based not only on athletic skill and achievement, but on attitude and coachability. All traits that I know a Division 1 school will appreciate!

After my collegiate career ends and the NFL is not within reach, I plan to stay around sports. My dad was a former HS teacher as well as a HS, and College football coach and of course my youth teams. I have a knack for understanding situations and coaching could be a distinct career path. My father has friends that are sports radio and television personalities that also catches my eye for other career opportunities.

Bottom line, I work hard, strive for success, and view no hurdle as too big. Any Division 1 school that selects me will not only get an outstanding athlete, they will be getting an outstanding representative of their University!