Dennis Vanderplow '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Dennis Vanderplow and I live in Woodbridge, Virginia and am currently a Junior at Livonia-Stevenson High School.  As long as I can remember, I've loved playing sports and being outside. I was always an active person in and out of the classroom, I love to socialize and be part of a team. With that being said, I started playing sports at five years old, with T-Ball but then to soccer, where I would spend most of my time. For about seven years, I played soccer exclusively, trying out track and field in my eighth-grade year, and soon moved to football. Football was more like a backyard or recess game to me, although I loved it. It was always something I looked forward to, even if it was just a time to mess around with friends. I watched a lot of it and it got me into wanting to play.  My parents wanted me to wait until my freshman year of high school, and by doing so I stuck to soccer by playing goalkeeper for multiple clubs and school teams. Being behind in weight was a struggle I had, however, by the beginning of eighth grade, I faded away from soccer to start training for football. Prior to summer training, I had to make a choice on what position I wanted to play, so one day I took an old tee and a football and just started kicking it and it all just came together from there.

    I wanted to learn everything I could about kicking. I studied everything, from watching youtube videos, paying attention to extra points, field goals, and punts on TV. Every day or any chance I got I would go out and kick a few footballs at my middle school down the street. I worked with other kickers in my area and we trained together. My freshman season started off with me dressing to play up with varsity as a second-string under a junior. I was put on Junior Varsity (JV) to develop my leg and learn the game more. Overall I’m pleased with my first two season. I learned a lot and understand I have a lot more to go.  After the season ended, I have committed myself to work out, train with other kickers and gaining confidence. I want to be as versatile as I can with the kicking game. I can punt, kick-off, kick field goals and hold for field goals (not at the same time). My personal favorite is punting, it’s a challenge and enjoy working on my technique.

    My free time usually consists of school work, working out, or going out to the field and kicking. I love to work with computers, it would be a dream career field for me to work in an information technology field. I am also a member of Boy Scout Troop 43 and I am currently in the process of obtaining Eagle Scout. One goal I have with my time playing football is to play as long as possible, no matter what it takes, I will strive to always do my best on the field and in the classroom, this game means everything to me, and for all the hard work it's taught me, leadership, confidence, and determination, it would be a blessing to continue my years playing as a collegiate athlete.