Matt Dillon '16 Recruiting Profile

Hello.  My name is Matthew Bradshaw Dillon.   I am currently a junior at Bridgeport High School, located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and will be graduating in 2016.  At this time I am focusing on my future in college and striving for the opportunity to play football on the college level.  I have not made any definite decisions in my major, but have been narrowing down my decisions.  From the time I started school, I had a goal to make the honor role every semester, I am proud to say, so far, I have achieved that goal, which I will strive to continue.

I elaborate on my middle name Bradshaw!  My dad named me after the 1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback – Terry Bradshaw.  (Maybe that is why I am so football minded!)  I was definitely introduced to football at a very young age.  I started playing football at the age of 4.  My parents drove me round trip 80 miles to the only league that had a team for 4 to 6 year olds.  I knew then that was my passion.  At the age of 7, I started playing near home for the Grafton Bearcats Cubs.  I then started as Center and Linebacker.  We played for the North Central WV Pop Warner Championship every year, which we won the championship in 2009.

During 2010 -2011, I played football for the Taylor County Middle School Knights.  I earned the starting position as Middle Linebacker and Center, also I was the Long Snapper for Punts and Field Goals.  Beginning my freshman year in 2012 I began playing for the Grafton High School Bearcats.  At the beginning of the season, I weighed 150 pounds, with much work and dedication, I earned a starting position as an Outside Linebacker on the varsity team, also starting special teams as the Long Snapper.  The yearend stats noted I had led the team in tackles with 74.  I continued playing for the Bearcats as a sophomore for the 2013 season and now weighing in at 195 pounds.  With the 45 pound increase and determination for earning a starting position again, I was moved to Middle Linebacker, Center and also Long Snapper.  I was noted with 47 tackles at the end of the season.

The beginning of 2014, my parents moved from Grafton, WV to Bridgeport, WV.  I enrolled at Bridgeport High School in the middle of my sophomore year.  I was able to participate in the off season weightlifting with the Bridgeport Indians football team.  I knew going into the 2014 football season as a junior would be a challenge, new coaches and new team mates!  But once again, “I had the determination and will to work harder”.  I was now weighing in at 210 pounds. The coaches had me playing at defensive tackle and special teams including Long Snapping.  With more determination, midway thru the season, I earned a starting position as Center.  It was an incredible year with 14 games.  We were now the AA State Champions!

After football season, I decided to give wrestling a try, even thou I had never wrestled before.  I wrestled at the 195 and 220 weight class.  During regional’s, I wrestled in the 220 weight class, I took 4th place which earned me a spot on the bracket for the West Virginia State Championship held in Huntington, WV.  However, I did not place in the top 5, but did have a great experience.  Also, I was named to the WV Mat Academic All-State Team.

Now that wrestling is over, I am spending more time in the weight room and striving to improve on my football skills.  I have a strong desire to play football after high school.  I know I have the Will, Dedications and Self Discipline powered by my Determination to continue football!