Tough 10: Pulaski’s Hendricks is a true throwback
PULASKI – Dylan Hendricks is a rare find.
The Pulaski senior possesses a rare combination of size, speed and strength.
What truly sets the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder apart, though, is his toughness.
That’s something a player doesn’t gain by merely spending time in the weight room and doing agility drills in the offseason.
You get that only by doing real work, like the construction job Hendricks has during the summer as he helps to put together big, steel sheet sheds.
“He’s one of the toughest, most physical kids I have ever coached against in 20 years,” Bay Port coach Gary Westerman said.
“They don’t make kids like that anymore. It’s just a different day and age. As many touches and carries as he gets, and his ability to stay healthy, is really remarkable.”
Hendricks’ numbers during his high school career are pretty remarkable as well.
The North Dakota State recruit has rushed for 3,526 yards and 41 touchdowns entering his senior season.
The Fox River Classic Conference co-offensive player of the year averaged 8.2 yards per carry in totaling 2,039 yards and 27 touchdowns last year to go along with 79 tackles and 10 tackles for loss on defense in helping the Red Raiders advanced to the WIAA Division 2 playoffs for a second straight year.
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“He’s an impressive athlete,” Ashwaubenon coach Mark Jonas said. “He’s hard to prepare for because we don’t have anybody that can simulate that kind of running style, let alone the (Single Wing) offense, we don’t have anybody who is 6-4 and 210 and can run like that, so trying to replicate him in practice is impossible.
“His shoulders are ginormous. It’s fun watching him play basketball because that’s old school. He’s boxing people out and setting picks and getting all the dirty rebounds. He’s fun to watch.”
For as good as he is on the football field, Hendricks is equally as dominant in his spring sport – rugby.
Hendricks was named an All-American in being invited to play in the 45th annual CanAm Rugby Tournament in New York last month.
While Hendricks is an athlete you can’t help but notice, he prefers to keep a low profile. (He begrudgingly agreed to a photo shoot.)
Further evidence of Hendricks’ quiet nature can be seen – rather not seen – on his Twitter account, where he didn’t post every scholarship offer he received like most aspiring college players do in this day and age.
Hendricks made his verbal commitment to North Dakota State five weeks ago, simply by contacting the coaching staff and leaving it at that.
It went unnoticed, just like he wanted.
“I’m kind of quiet person,” Hendricks said. “I don’t like posting a lot of stuff on social media. Personally, I think it’s just more of my decision. Other people don’t need to know what I got going on. If I want them to know, I’ll let them.”
Opposing teams know what they’re dealing with when they see Pulaski and Hendricks coming through on their schedule.
Hendricks began playing on the varsity as a freshman, when the Red Raiders struggled with injuries during a one-win season.
Hendricks’ older brother, Dominick, went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee that year only to come back and sustain another ACL tear in the season-opening game of 2016, which saw Pulaski advance to the WIAA Division 2 state quarterfinals.
Although he was just a sophomore, Hendricks showed maturity and leadership beyond his years as he had just begun to scratch the surface of his talent that season.
“He’s just a real quiet leader,” Pulaski coach Jerad Marsh said. “He’s real humble around us. He doesn’t speak much. That’s how he communicates, simply by doing. What you see is what you get out there with him.”
What Hendricks wants to see and do this season is pretty simple.
“Just running through holes,” Hendricks said. “Seeing big holes is nice. It makes me really happy.”
Hendricks heads Preps Agenda’s Tough 10, which is a look at some of the best two-way players to watch in the Green Bay area heading into the 2018 season.
PREPS AGENDA’S TOUGH 10
Mitch Chosa, G.B. Notre Dame: The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder made 68 tackles and seven tackles for loss while also opening up holes at fullback. Josh Cribben, the FRCC defensive lineman of the year, is another one to watch for the Tritons.
Nathan Coisman, Luxemburg-Casco: The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder recorded 80 tackles, including 10 TFL, and caught three touchdown passes as a tight end last year. He’s also a load to bring down when lining up at fullback as his 10 rushing touchdowns would indicate.
Dylan Hendricks, Pulaski: The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder averaged 8.2 yards per carry in totaling 2,039 yards and 27 touchdowns last year to go along with 79 tackles and 10 tackles for loss on defense.
Jake Karchinski, West De Pere: The University of Iowa recruit totaled 61 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last year while playing with a high-ankle sprain and a separated shoulder. He’ll see time at tight end this season and should be even scarier to face with a clean bill of health.
Isaac Klarkowski, G.B. Southwest: The 6-foot-1, 275-pounder is a four-year starter on the Trojans’ offensive line. Being a state-qualifying wrestler, he’s also pretty adept at taking people down, recording 47 tackles, six TFL and 4.5 sacks last year.
Ethan Kroll, Sevastopol: The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder may play on a smaller field in the 8-player game, but he’s definitely all over it. He totaled 1,453 yards of offense and scored 24 touchdowns in addition to making 73 tackles and five sacks last season.
Derik LeCaptain, Southern Door: The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder accounted for 1,706 yards of offense and 25 touchdowns in addition to making 62 tackles, six TFL, two sacks and scoring two touchdowns on defense for the MONLPC-Large champion.
EJ Reese, G.B. Preble: The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder made 54 tackles and five interceptions last year. His track speed may translate to helping replace Henry Geil at running back this season as well.
Tyler VanDeHei, Seymour: The 6-foot, 200-pounder was in on 139 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and forced three fumbles while scoring a couple of touchdowns for the Thunder offense.
Cam Wheeler, Ashwaubenon: The 6-foot, 210-pounder will be a three-year starter at linebacker and will play an expanded role as an H-back in the Jaguars offense.