Class 2012: Inspirational lineman Dylan Craddock takes stellar act to UBC (Video)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 offensive lineman and recent University of British Columbia commit, Dylan Craddock. Dylan has been playing football for seven seasons.

Dylan Craddock

Positions:
Offensive Lineman (Left/Right Tackle, Guard, Center)

Height/Weight:
6’4, 265lbs

Teams:
Hugh Boyd Trojans (high school: BCHSFA)
Richmond Minor Football League (RMFL)

Commitment:
Commitment to University of British Columbia

Class:
2012

For the past seven seasons, Dylan has played football in Richmond, British Columbia. Starting out his career in the Richmond Minor Football League (RMFL), the offensive lineman would spend two years developing his skills. In the process, he was rookie of the year two consecutive times and also was most improved offensive lineman.

Suiting up for the past five seasons with his high school team, the Hugh Boyd Trojans of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BSHSFA), Dylan came into his own as a player. This past season, the standout was recognized for his efforts on the field as he was selected as an “AA” Southern Conference all-star at an offensive lineman position.

With the Trojans this past season, Dylan experienced a special yet unique experience in his football career.

“My most memorable experience in football has to be this past season; being in grade 12,” explains the Trojans offensive lineman. “It’s your senior year and basically what I thought was I only get one shot at a senior year and it’s my last high school football season ever.”

“When we won our playoff game in front of our crowd 14-13 in BC Place, it was a great feeling just to get a chance to play in the new BC Place Stadium and in front of your friends and family and just ball out. I t was a great experience.”

Next season, Dylan will be playing university football in his own backyard. Recently, the offensive lineman has committed to the University of British Columbia (UBC). The deciding factors in Dylan’s decision to commit to the school were academics, a strong football program and the opportunity to play in front of the hometown crowd.

“Coach Olson did a great job showing me why UBC is a great place to spend your university career,” adds the future Thunderbirds player. “Also, a big factor was my high school offensive lineman coach from grade eight to 11 is the assistant offensive lineman coach at UBC.”

“I also feel like what the coaches and players are doing at UBC can hopefully win a Vanier Cup and I want to be a part of that. I feel like it’s better for me to stay at home in my own province, so on weekends I can go see my family.”

Dylan says he would not be the player he is today, let alone a university football recruit without the guidance and instruction of the many coaches he’s had over the course of his career. From the Trojans coaching staff, it includes Bruce Haddow, Bill Haddow, Coach Aura, Coach Adams, Coach Neil, Chris Cartwright, Coach Mullen, Coach Graham and Gramps Roy Gardner while from minor football it includes coach Shane Galloway.

Another individual who’s played a pivotal role in Dylan’s football career has been Jerry Mulliss, who put together his highlight reel.

“He sent it out to all those college coaches,” says the Trojans offensive lineman. “When I first met him, he told me I had to get my grades up to play college football and that made me realize I wanted to play at the next level.”

However, the greatest influences on Dylan’s life have been his family, especially his parents, Kim and Jeff Craddock and his grandparents.

“My parents and grandparents always believe in me and are always making sure I’m either reading the playbook, studying film, getting my lifts in or most importantly making sure I have my homework done,” adds Dylan. “I also have two great people up in heaven looking down on me; one is my papo and the other is my cousin who both passed away, and they both were big parts in my life and they still will be.”

“Family is the most important thing in my life.”

What is so inspiring about Dylan’s football career is that he’s been able to achieve such a high level of success while overcoming adversity. The Trojans offensive lineman was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age. Even though his parents were told that he would never be able to play football, Dylan worked hard to defy the odds.

“My dad would say to me “don’t let yourself be a failure in sports because of this, just work hard and show people you can play and make them doubt you, people will always try and feel bad for you, don’t let them it’s your life”,” adds the Trojans standout. “Before every game I would always have to be the first one out of the locker room and would always hit the sign that said “win” in our team locker room at home games.”

Academically, Dylan plans to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at UBC. Once he completes that, the Trojans offensive lineman would like to attend law school. Overall, his future career goal is to become a sports agent.

As he embarks on the next chapter of his life at UBC, Dylan will take the things he’s learned on the field with the hopes of achieving more feats.

“What I learned from playing football is that you play for your brothers who are your teammates and you play for the love of the game,” comments Dylan. “Football also makes you a hard worker.”