2024 Interview with Dylan Layne from Granville High School

 

Dylan Layne

Granville High School

Defensive End and Offensive Tackle

2025

6’2” 200lbs

What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

I would like to make 1st team LCL and be a captain for the second year.

What are the goals you will set for your team?

I want us to win the league and make it to the 4th round of the playoffs.

Which Licking County school do you enjoy beating the most?

It’s hard to narrow it down to one school, but I would say Licking Valley, but Johnstown is a close second.

What are the advantages of being a smaller defensive lineman?

I’d say I’m quicker than they guys; I’m blocking most of the time, so it makes passing, rushing, and reading my block easier.

What are the disadvantages of being a smaller defensive lineman?

Not having a ton of weight on me can be a big disadvantage, especially while being double-teamed, but to make up for that, I just stay low and run my feet.

Who is the toughest teammate to go up against in practice?

Probably Jackson Pelzer; he’s got really good footwork, so it’s hard to move him, and he punches hard.

Who is the best player you have ever faced in a game, along with the team that he played for?

I don’t know their names, but the right guard and tackle at Tri-Valley were really fundamentally sound

Do you feel as though you and your teammates are role models to the younger kids who come and root for the team?

Yea, I think we leave it all out there on the field and are respectful after the game. A lot of guys high-five the kids as we walk out to the field, and that gets them more excited for the game.

What do you believe is the strongest part of your game?

I would say the best part of my game is my ability to read plays, see what’s happening on the field and do whatever it takes to stop the ball.

What part of your game do you need to improve the most?

I think I need to improve my pass-rushing moves and my ability to get off the line and punch harder.

What have you been doing during the off-season to improve your game?

I don’t really have an off-season with basketball and track, so for football, I’ve just been lifting and trying to put on weight.

If you are invited to play in any of the statewide all-star games, will you?

Yea, I think it would be a lot of fun to play with some of the best guys in Ohio.

I have asked a lot of players and coaches this question, and all of them have answered it, with the exception of three, who just said no comment. The question is, do you think private schools have an unfair advantage over public schools?

Being in a private school definitely provides more opportunities to be better, but I think the majority of the time, if the teams are in the same division, it usually isn’t an unfair advantage.

Would you let everyone know some of the schools that are recruiting you?

I’ve talked with colleges, mostly Ivy League schools like UPenn and Cornell, but it hasn’t turned into anything serious yet. I’m not sure playing in college is my plan.

Where should the state finals be held?

I like them being played in Canton. I think it is fitting since that’s where the hall of fame is.

Have you ever been to a Dension game?

A couple times when I was younger, I went to watch them.

Who is your favorite pro football team?

I don’t really have a favorite team, but my favorite player is Josh Allen, so if I had to pick one team, it would be the Bills.

Who is your role model?

My stepdad has helped me learn the game and has put a lot of time into teaching me how I should conduct myself on the field.