By: Brett Greenberg
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Dylan Lonergan is a dual sport athlete out of the 2023 class with plenty of offers to play baseball and football for a D-1 program. Lonergan, from Duluth, Ga., is a rising sophomore at Brookwood High School and is currently the #1 ranked RHP in the state of Georgia and the #9 ranked player in the United States for his class. Standing at 6-2, 200 pounds, it is easy to see why Lonergan is the starting quarterback for his high school team and a top ranked pitcher in the country. Dylan currently plays on the Georgia Jackets 15U National, a team with plenty of other top 2023 prospects including Bryce Clavon, the #4 ranked player in the U.S. and Jake Lankie, the #36 ranked player in the U.S. Like others, Dylan was unable to play baseball for his high school team due to the coronavirus pandemic but that did not stop his preparation for the summer. He continued to work out at his home gym where he lifted weights 5-6 times per week and focused on getting stronger in his legs and throwing arm. He was also able to consistently throw bullpens during the quarantine, which allowed for his arm to stay in shape while also allowing him to work on his wipe away pitch, the slider. As for the Jackets, they have been playing for a couple of weeks now, so the arms and bats are where they are supposed to be at this point in the season. Playing two sports at a high level can be difficult, but Lonergan seems to have the process down to a science and has a daily routine which allows him to play baseball and football, while preforming at the highest level. “I really want to play both sports in college,” said Lonergan. “There are some conflicts that come up as far as scheduling, but I am usually able to go lift with my football team for summer workouts without missing time on the baseball field.” When asked about dealing with two different sports and working out for each sport, Dylan says he works out and trains like a football player to try to reach his goal of weighing around 225-230 lbs. by his senior year of high school. Lonergan’s summers consist of long days and minimal rest but says this is what he wants to do. He mentioned some difficulties with rest and body soreness due to working out so heavily then going to throw bullpens on the same days. He currently has offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU and Penn State to be a two-sport scholarship athlete. Dylan says he loves the coaching staffs of both sports at LSU and Auburn in particular but wants to take more time before making a commitment. “I visited Auburn before they offered me, but I want to see more schools before making any decisions,” said Lonergan. The offer from Penn State is a significant one for Lonergan as his father, Dan, was the quarterback at PSU in 1983. Lonergan was sure to mention that his dad has been extremely helpful during his entire recruiting process because, “he has been through this and has the experience.” Dylan also says he would not be where he is today without the help and support of his father. When asked what he would like to work on this summer, Lonergan was quick to answer stating, “my swing and approach at the plate needs to get better, but I have been swinging at more first pitches lately, which has allowed for more success.” Lonergan has been playing sports since a very young age taking up baseball at just three years old and football at eight years old. Evidently, Lonergan does not have much down time but when he does, he says he likes to relax and play Madden 20 with his friends. He also emphasized his down time is his only recovery time for his body. Lonergan’s piece of advice to those younger who want to play multiple sports in college is as follows: “Do not let anyone tell you it’s not possible and keep working on your game as long as you still love it.” As a rising sophomore, Lonergan has the time to make some very important decisions pertaining to his future. He and the rest of the Jackets squad look to win two more pool play games to go undefeated and earn a first-round bye in bracket play of the 2020 15U WWBA National Championship.
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