BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — It has been an eventful week for Bridgeport junior running back Dylan Tonkery.
The 6-foot, all-state standout helped lead the Indians to a second-straight Class AA state championship last Friday, and then Thursday he was offered a scholarship from West Virginia for the class of 2016.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” Tonkery said. “When WVU offered me, I was shocked. I didn’t really plan to get offered this early at all from anybody, but they did. When (Bridgeport) Coach (Josh) Nicewarner told me during school about the offer, I couldn’t believe it. He’s actually known for a couple of days now and has been waiting to tell me. It’s pretty awesome.”
Tonkery’s older brother is Wes Tonkery, who is wrapping up his senior season at linebacker with the Mountaineers.
“As it turns out, the WVU coaching staff said something to Wes before the championship game that they were thinking about making the offer,” Tonkery said. “Then on Saturday, they told him that they were definitely going to make the offer. He has been just been waiting to text me congratulations.”
That offer certainly seems fitting for Tonkery after his performance in the title game, setting a Class AA Super Six record by rushing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Overall on the season, Tonkery overcame an injury to rush for 1,559 yards and 17 touchdowns on 183. He also caught four passes for 62 yards and another touchdown.
Tonkery said he isn’t sure of his eventual role position-wise with the Mountaineers, but will play wherever he’s needed.
“It’s definitely a dream come true, WVU has been my family’s team for a long time,” Tonkery said. “When Wes got to play there, it was awesome for us. Now, I’ll get to hopefully play there and it’s amazing.”
Tonkery first came on WVU’s radar during a three-day camp back in June.
“I hope next year to have a year like this year—just with less injuries, stay healthy and win another state championship,” he said.
Tonkery, meanwhile, finished fifth in the MetroNews High School Football Player of the Year voting, earning two first-place votes.
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