Interview: Iowa 2017 DE Dylan Boles Updates Stanford Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
A relatable point for everyone in life is finding the right fit. The recruiting process is about finding that fit for a roster full of likeminded and driven individuals under the guidance of leaders in a coaching staff with academics and community playing a big factor. When all of the variables come together, a special moment in time has occurred with a life changing decision made. Iowa Class of 2017 defensive end Dylan Boles found his life changing fit with Stanford.
If there is a consensus on Boles – the kid can play. The 6-4, 253 pound, defensive playmaker has made his mark for Van Meter High School since his sophomore year when he earned the first of three consecutive Academic All-District honors. The honors continued to roll in earning first team All-District honors in 2015 and 2016 topping his senior season with first team All-State recognition while being a unanimous District 6 Defensive MVP selection.
A total of 13 scholarship offers were extended to Boles with teams like Army, Yale, Navy, Brown, Lamar, Penn, Columbia, and Dartmouth in the mix. Interest was coming in from seemingly every other Division-I program in the nation with preferred walk-on offers from Iowa, Texas, Houston, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Penn State, and Minnesota to name a few. Several schools were hoping to get a D-I level talent added to the roster as a preferred walk-on while others had Boles as a potential last minute offer if things did not play out as desired on National Signing Day.
Boles took all the possible scenarios off the table on Friday when he committed to Stanford remaining a silent commit until his announcement on Sunday, January 29, 2017. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Boles to get the inside story on his decision process finding out how Stanford got a big steal ahead of National Signing Day.
Interview
Dylan, first, congratulations on your commitment.
“Thank you.”
Which schools were in contact with you before the dead period and after the dead period?
“Iowa, Iowa State, East Carolina, South Dakota State, Air Force, Western Illinois, Stanford, Texas, Army, Navy, Yale, and Penn.”
What visits did you take over the last few weeks before your commitment?
“I took two official visits but I was slated to take three with the third being East Carolina. I went to Penn right before the dead period and Yale right after. East Carolina was really trying to get me to come out. Ultimately I had decided what I wanted to do and what was in my heart. I had a plan and my mind was already made up.”
When have you visited Stanford?
“I visited for the USC verses Stanford game my sophomore year (2014). That was my first and only game day visit to Palo Alto. I was out there for camps my sophomore and junior years. I have been on campus three times. I’m going out to Stanford on April 27-28 for “Admit Weekend.” I’ll be around the student body for the incoming class that weekend.”
In general, how did you start narrowing down all the schools through this process?
“It was time to start narrowing schools down and to make a decision. Week by week we made a decision on which schools I would actively pursue and which ones I would eliminate from the list.”
Did you have a final list of schools?
“Penn, Yale, and Stanford. It was a tough debate between those three for me on which school I would ultimately choose.”
The big question, what led you to accept the preferred walk-on offer from Stanford over all your other options?
“For me, as I went through the process I wanted a superior school with great opportunities both academically and professionally. I wanted a great education and great opportunities when football ends. The biggest separators was the opportunity to play in the Pac-12 in a Power 5 Conference. The opportunity to go up against the best players and teams in the country was a big factor. There is also an opportunity for a scholarship with Stanford.”
Did Stanford lay out a timetable on when you might be able to earn a scholarship?
“As early as the end of my freshman year. David Perry (nose guard/defensive tackle) did that. The coaches said if you come in and handle your business in the classroom and on the practice field and get yourself ready to make a contribution on the field you can earn a scholarship early. There is not a set plan. They said it could be during my freshman year, when I’m a senior, or I may never get one. They did not promise me anything. They just said if you bust your ass you can earn one.”
How did the commitment to Stanford take place?
“Over the last week I was talking to my parents in the living room every night identifying the best schools for me. Over consecutive nights we talked about what I wanted to do with my life, academics, and my life in college. I had it figured it out on Thursday. I called Coach (Lance) Anderson (director of defense) and Coach (Mike) Eubanks (recruiting director) on Friday. I made the tough calls on Saturday to Yale and Penn. Today was the announcement. I held off a couple of days to make sure I had time to respond to the other coaches and to give some time for things to settle down and then make the announcement.”
How did Coach Anderson and Coach Eubanks respond to your commitment on Friday?
“They were very excited. They let me know that they see me as a guy that can be a key contributor and that I am a great addition to the program. They told me that I am a guy that can have a great career at Stanford. They wanted me to know that when I look back I will know I made the right decision. They let me know that they were happy to have me. They were excited and ready to see where my career goes.”
After all that you have been through with recruiting, how did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was relieved to have this whole college search done. It was the stress that I can see myself at this program and I can see myself at this one as well. There were unique opportunities at all of these schools. I wanted to find the best fit overall. I believe I found it. There was relief and a rush of excitement when I committed. I know where I am going in college. Committing to Stanford was a life changing decision.”
Did you do anything to celebrate your commitment?
“Right now my parents and I are watching my sister play basketball. Afterwards we will have a family dinner. A nice quite night to digest everything that has happened with my family. Last night I was finally able to get out and see some buddies. I was able to get out with them over at a friend’s house. It was nice to get back with the people I have not been able to see for a long time due to the recruiting process.”
Did the Stanford coaches give you anything to work on this off-season before you report?
“They did not critique my game. They did not give me strength numbers or a mass they wanted me to hit. They want me to come in and be in the best shape I can be in. After National Signing Day they will send out packages of information. They will put me on the shared Hudl account they use so I can learn the playbook. They will also send me the trainer’s packet. They want me to be prepared for when I hit campus so I can put my head down and got to work.”
Is there a weight goal you would like to hit before you report?
“My goal is to be around 265 to 270. I want to add good weight and lean muscle mass. I want to make sure I am at a weight where I can be functional and move.”
When do you report to Stanford?
“I report in mid-August. All of the preferred walk-on guys report then. The scholarship guys report in June. They said they will get you prepared for the season just like the scholarship guys with the same opportunities.”
Any last thoughts on your commitment?
“I’m glad to know where I am going.”
Dylan, thanks for your time today and good luck with your off-season workouts before you report to Stanford.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Boles family; Dylan (left) and Sean (right) Boles at Stanford (2016).
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Dylan Boles (Jan. 2017).