Often times, the most important moments in an athlete’s journey aren't the ones full of glory. Rather, it's the ugliness that comes with pushing through adversity.
Tight End Dylan Leonard walked on to the Georgia Tech Football Program with big goals in mind and the mindset to accomplish them. After suffering from a fractured back heading into his freshman year of high school, Leonard was able to develop a resilient work ethic. At 16, Leonard opted to undergo back surgery that put a pause for his time on the field. While many of his high-school teammates focused on their recruitment, Leonard dealt with his recovery and working for the possibility of becoming a healthy player again.
“I had about a six month recovery. So at this point I wasn’t really talking to colleges, said Leonard. “I ended up getting healthy and being able to play my senior year. I had a decent season and was able to go out there and play every game.”
Dylan’s senior year comeback campaign was able to attract the attention of some Ivy League athletic programs and other smaller schools, but the full scholarship offer had not been placed on the table. In addition to that, Leonard knew he wanted to commit to a big time program where he could be pushed to reach his maximum potential.
Meanwhile, Leonard’s closest friend had been recruited and committed for a quarterback spot at Georgia Tech.
“He slipped me in with the coaches and I was able to create a relationship with some of them and I ended up being able to walk on there,” explained Leonard.
Leonard’s decision to walk-on to GA Tech resulted in the development of his “bet on yourself mentality”.
“I was 185 pounds my senior year and I was coming out trying to be a tight end. That doesn’t measure up very well. I always knew I was behind because of what I went through. You have to have that bet on yourself mentality; if you don’t believe in yourself, no one will,” said Leonard.
The walk-on tight end then hit the ground running the day he stepped onto campus. Within Leonard’s freshman dorm room, he strategically hung up a personal affirmation on the wall that his bunkbed faced. The note simply said, “earn a scholarship”.
After appearing in all 12 games his freshman year as a reserve tight end, Leonard had that scholarship in his hands. In 2020, Leonard completed an additional successful season appearing in seven games and retaining a year of eligibility due to COVID-19. The momentum continued into 2021 where he made 10 starts as a tight end and ranked sixth overall on the team in receptions and receiving yards.
“Coming in as a walk-on at a football team, you’re bottom of the barrel. You’re not really expected to do anything. Being able to prove that I belong, not only to myself but to everyone else, was huge for me,” explained Leonard. “I’ll forever be grateful for that process and how it went down. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
The walk-on turned scholarship athlete is now wrapping up his fourth successful season as a Yellow Jacket and will begin a Masters program to remain eligible for a fifth season. Leonard has been able to use his athletic mentality within his academic career by appearing on the ACC Academic Honor Roll three times thus far.
“God’s not going to give you anything you can’t handle. The things he doesn’t give you right now is for a reason. He holds things back from you because one day he is going to give them to you when you’re ready.” Just show up every day,” said Leonard.
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