On February 4, Dylan Shown signed his National Letter of Intent to continue playing football at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He will be playing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II football and entering as a member of the class of 2030.
Shown has been a starting tackle for the Linganore High School (LHS) varsity football team for three years, moving to the school in 2023. Previously, he played for the Marriott Ridge High School varsity and junior varsity football teams.
According to Shown, he began playing football in third grade and has only grown as a player since.
“Growing up, I played with a bunch of great players, and my coaches were former players, so I learned a lot from them,” Shown said. “It’s just been so helpful and a great experience.”
During the Signing Day ceremony held in Linganore’s gymnasium, LHS varsity football head coach Rick Conner shared some of Shown’s accomplishments as an All-Region, a Frederick News Post selection and second team All-County.
“He led our way to our three consecutive running backs,” Conner said. “Think about this. We had three running backs in the last three years, all rushed for over 2000 yard mark. I don’t think that’s ever been done before.”
With so many achievements in high school, choosing where to continue his athletic career may have seemed like a difficult decision, but Shown shared that Shepherd “just felt right.”
“I went on my visit [to Shepherd],” Shown said. “I’ve been on a couple visits to different schools, but Shepherd felt like home whenever I went back.”
Throughout his experiences, choosing a college and playing football as he grew up, Shown said his mother has always been his biggest supporter.
“I’ve tried to be Dylan’s anchor when it comes to his athletic journey, from taking him to and from football and baseball practices for as many years as I can remember, to cheering him on from every sideline and never missing a game,” Shown’s mother, Melissa Shown, said.
Despite being in West Virginia, Dylan Shown will still have many people from home in his corner to support him on top of the university’s resources.
As Shown continues his football journey and education at Shepherd, he recognizes the work it will take to balance the two. He shared that Shepherd has many resources to help their student athletes manage their academics.
“His hard work, dedication, perseverance and strong faith has led him to this accomplishment, and I am very proud of him,” Melissa Shown said.
Though they will miss him, Dylan Shown’s family and coaches wish him luck and know he will make a great impression on Shepherd University’s football team.
To read more about Shown’s high school career, click here.
