2026 Getting to know Dyonn Lamar Perry Jr from Youngstown H/S

Name: Dyonn Lamar Perry Jr

School/town: Youngstown High school, Youngstown Oh

Positions played: MLB, RB, FB

Class: 2027

Height and Weight: 5’8 220

Jersey Number: #8

Awards won or earned: All Neo 3x, all conference 3x, All YSN 2x 

HUDL LINK: http://www.hudl.com/v/2SqTjX

Other sports played: N/A

What in your eyes is going to be the biggest obstacle in blending the two rival teams into a cohesive unit? 

Honestly, the biggest challenge is just making sure two different cultures become one standard. Both teams had ways of doing things that worked for them. Right now without the pressure of school, we’ve had time to actually get to know each other as teammates and people. Guys are clicking. That’s on us as leaders keep communication open, hold everyone to the same standard, and remind guys daily that we win together or lose together.

With this being your final high school football season are you approaching things differently than you have in the past?

Definitely, with this being my last year it definitely adds weight to my shoulders, I’m definitely going to be way more intentional this year, because I know these are my last reps of high-school I’ll ever get with my brothers. 

But at the same time I’m not going to make this all about me, I’m listening more we’ve got younger guys looking up to us, and two rival teams becoming one family. Kind of like a leave the jersey better than I found it type of mindset

What are your biggest responsibilities as a linebacker?

Definitely being the communicator for my defense, I feel as a linebacker you have to be the QB of the defense make calls and put your teammates not only you in a position to make plays.

Can you explain to the readers what a linebacker gap blitz is?

A linebacker blitz, is basically something you do to bring chaos to the offense, being fast and physical on a linebacker gap assigned blitz rather it’s A-D gap should always bring chaos to the other side of the ball.

What is the strength of your game?

I’d say my strength is my football IQ and how I play the game. I’m not the tallest guy, so I learned early I have to be faster mentally and physically. I read keys quick, I’m always around the ball, and when I hit a gap I’m coming with everything I’ve got. 

I take pride in being physical at the point of attack if you’re going to run at me, you’re going to feel me. And the coaches trust me to make the calls on defense whenever we’re in the heat of the moment in things start to not go our way.

Which part of your game are you working on improving the most before the season kicks off?

Right now the biggest thing I’m attacking is my body. The season get easier as we go so while I’m doing the hard work right now I’m locked in on recovery, conditioning, and strength. I want to play fast in the 4th quarter the same way I do in the 1st. 

Who is the best player that you have faced in a game, as well as the team he was on?

Bo Jackson - Villa Angela St Joseph 

What are your goals for the season?

Personally, I’ve set the bar high for myself. I’m chasing 150+ tackles, double-digit sacks, and I want to be the guy forcing turnovers strip sacks, punch-outs, anything that gets our offense the ball back.

But the real goal is bigger than stats. I want to be the linebacker this team can count on every single snap. Team goals come first State Championship, playoff run leave no doubt. The tackles and sacks are just how I plan to help get us there.

What goals are you setting for the team?

For us as a team, the standard is simple compete every Friday and hold each other accountable. If we do that, I don’t see us dropping more than 2 or 3 games all year. But honestly, the record takes care of itself. 

The real goal is to be playing our best football in November. We want a playoff run, and not just get there, but make noise when we do. With two programs coming together, we’ve got a chance to do something special for Youngstown East and Youngstown Chaney.

What would it mean to you to earn an invitation to one or two of the all-star games after the season?

Man, that would mean the world but not for me. If I get an invite to an all-star game, that means our team did something right. That means my D-line kept me clean, my coaches put me in position, and my brothers trusted me to do my job. 

I’m just trying to help us win every Friday. If playing the right way leads to an all-star invite after the season, I’d be grateful, and I’d represent Youngstown with everything I’ve got. 

Can the fans, bands, and or cheerleaders get you pumped up during the game?

100%. That’s the amazing part about playing football, the atmosphere on Friday nights. When the band’s loud the student section’s packed, and the cheerleaders have the whole stadium yelling, you feel that energy. 

As a linebacker, I feed off it. Third down, we’re gassed, and I hear our side going crazy? I realize It’s not just us 11 on the field. It’s the whole school, the whole city behind us. 

Do you feel that you and your teammates are role models to the youngers kids that come and root for you?

Yeah, I think we are — whether we want to be or not. On Friday nights, there’s little kids in the stands wearing our jerseys, watching every move we make. That’s not something I take lightly.

So the biggest thing for me and my teammates is carrying ourselves the right way. How we act after a big hit, how we treat the refs, how we pick each other up those kids see all of it.

What is your favorite class or subject?

My favorite class is Reading.

What is the one food you refuse to eat?

The one food I refuse to eat has to be salad, Nothing against my people that eat salad but I’m a linebacker if I ever put a leaf in my mouth we’re in trouble, I need some real food give me rice, and some chicken, trust me if a duck was eating how I am he’ll make tackles too.

What is your favorite sports movie?

I got two but with our situation with east and Chaney I’ll have to say Remember the titans because it deals with two teams coming together settling their differences learning how to work together as a team and getting to work. 

 

 

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