He's not just an ordinary guy. He's a 6-foot-8, 285-pound left tackle with a passion that goes beyond the field. Meet Jack Dreyer.
Dreyer began playing football his freshman year at Serra High School, and discovered that football was more than just a hobby for him.
"I've always been really passionate about football," said Dreyer, who is entering his senior season with the Padres. "Especially since I'm a huge [Indianapolis] Colts fan, and I've always been a huge NFL follower as well. [Professional football] really inspired me to tryout freshman year, and the rest is history."
Dreyer made headlines during the 2013-2014 season with his defensive and offensive skills. During the second to last game of the season, an intense rivalry game against Archbishop Mitty, Dreyer fractured his wrist scoring a touchdown.
"It happened about halfway through the fourth quarter, and I couldn't play the rest of the game," said Dreyer. "But that was our last touchdown, so I felt comfortable knowing I had [helped out] my team."
Dreyer kept his spirit high, and played their final game -- a loss in the CIF-State NorCal title game -- against Del Oro-Loomis with a cast on his wrist, not letting his injury take him away from what he loves. Dreyer's high level of intensity over the course of the season brought attention to many different colleges.
Not only did Dreyer impress the colleges on the field, but in the classroom as well. Dreyer currently holds a 4.26 weighted, accumulative grade point average. As a result of his athletic and intellectual ability, he has 13 different colleges interested in signing him. Dreyer has visited almost every college, including UC Berkeley and a few Ivy Leagues, but does not plan on making any commitments until the end of the summer.
"Jack is a very intelligent young man....due to his size, his intelligence has always led his athleticism," said Serra football coach Patrick Walsh. "[He] is a very confident person, he has always believed in himself and knows in his heart that he will be a great student/athlete."
The height, intelligence, and passion for sports seems to run in the family. Dreyer's twin sister Alexa is a star on the Mitty girls volleyball team. Dreyer chose not to go to Mitty after an outstanding shadow day at Serra, leading him to pursue football.
"I will always root for my sister," said Dreyer. "She always roots for me, even when Mitty plays Serra."
During his last season, Dreyer helped bring Serra to the WCAL co-title with Mitty and the school's third-ever CCS football title, and the first at the highest level (Open Division). Serra handed Mitty (11-2) its only two losses. Even with the school rivalry between Serra and Mitty, the Dreyer twins constantly support each other and always push each other to do their best in what they do.
Dreyer hopes to continue his passion for football into college and beyond, and enjoys every second when he's on the field.
"When Jack's belief system matches his size and God given talent, watch out!" said Walsh. "I am excited to see where Jack ends up as a student/athlete, I believe the sky is the limit for him."
