Decided to Fly: AJ Dillon
By Quinn Kelly
AJ Dillon
From: New London, CT
High School: Lawrence Academy
Position: RB
Ht/Wt: 6’1” 240
Twitter: @ajdillon7
Ratings:
ESPN Rating: 79, 3 star
247 Rating: 91, 4 star
Rivals Rating: 4 star
Highlight Tape:
High School Stats:
Dillon was a three year starter at ISL powerhouse Lawrence Academy. He had 1,368 and 1,887 yards in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively, along with 47 touchdowns over the two years. This past season, Dillon was off to another hot start, having scored 12 touchdowns on over 600 yards through the first four games before he was sidelined with a season-ending leg injury. The injury shouldn’t have any lasting effect on his time here at BC.
Addazio’s Take:
“He’s a difference maker. AJ Dillon is a game changer. He’s one of the very best players in America, maybe one of the very best players to be recruited in the history of Boston College. He’s the No. 1 rated player in New England … I think AJ is one of those guys that has the ability to captivate Boston, which is an unbelievable sports city. His personality, his ability, his charisma I think gives him a tremendous platform for his future here at Boston College. Really couldn’t be happier about AJ and what he brings to the table with his ability and who he is as a person and his family.”
Dillon on Commitment:
“I chose Boston College because I have a great relationship with the coaches and players and being from New England, I wanted to be part of something really great in my area.”
“Being from Connecticut, going to a private boarding school in Massachusetts there was a bit of unease. But Lawrence Academy, Boston, and the rest of Massachusetts have always welcomed me with open arms and have supported me more than just off the field. I look forward to representing the city of Boston, state of Massachusetts, my family and everyone in New London, CT. I believe the Boston College program is on the rise and I feel like there is something to be said about being from here, and being part this movement. I’ve developed great relationships with the coaches and players at Boston College and am excited to be a part of the Eagles family and uphold that BC tradition. #DecideToFly”
Our Take:
AJ Dillon is the top prospect in BC’s class this year, and he’s a monster. Dillon is ranked as high as the top prospect in Massachusetts and the 20th best running back in the entire nation (Rivals). This is the type of player that promises to have an immediate impact on this team. Expect him to come in and be a fixture right away, sharing the bulk of the carries with Jon Hilliman in 2017 en route to being a four-year starter for the Eags.
Dillon should prove to be a nice complement to Hilliman, bringing similar strength and size, but bringing a bit more speed to the table. He’s clocked in at combines as having a 4.56 40-yard dash time while also benching 315. That’s pretty damn impressive for a guy who hasn’t gotten his first summer of collegiate training under his belt.
Though he does hold that advantage in speed over Hilliman, scout.com still lists his acceleration and breakaway speed as areas to improve on. He is, as he should be, lauded for his strength, toughness, vision, and foot quickness.
Dillon, as many know, was originally committed to Michigan, but became one of BC’s two huge flips in the 2017 class. He comes touting 17 total scholarship offers, including from Notre Dame, Penn State (who nabbed top Massachusetts RB Jonathan Franklin a couple years back) and conference foes FSU, UNC, UVA, VT, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and Duke. He also held a lone SEC offer in Mississippi State.
Coach Addazio has said that AJ Dillon could be another Andre Williams for this team. If his vision proves correct, that could be huge for the Eagles, who could use nothing more in this program-upswing than a bona fide superstar.