DRAKE VANDERHOOF '22 Recruiting Profile

I would like to humbly begin by stating that I am the same as most football players you evaluate. I am a physically fit 6’2” 215lbs male. I have two, two arms, two eyes…. with some genetic differences I am like many other players you consider. However, I have two superpowers that other players may not have learned to access: my family and dyslexia.

My parents provided me and my sister with not only good genes but with a solid work ethic, emotional and psychological foundation. My father ran hydroelectric facilities for the government, requiring us to move frequently. Prior to seventh grade I had lived in six different states and attended seven different schools. These moves were always an adventure. Because our family approached the moves as a team we never felt alone or new. My parents never allowed us to sit on the sidelines because we were new, we played a sport every season helping us to meet friends. It was not always easy to leave friends, but my sister and I are much more resilient, resourceful, and adaptive than our peers. I have lived in Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania,

During first grade in Utah, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I have worked hard to maintain pace in the general education classroom and maintain over a 3.0 average. I have learned to compensate with technology, time management, and using my strengths. Though my reading speed is still below my peers, by the beginning of tenth grade, I had increased my reading comprehension to grade level. Moving every two years made my progress challenging but did not discourage me.  

On October 3 of 2020 it became apparent that my parents had developed an unshakeable work ethic, sense of self, and resilience. This was the day that my father passed away from a very quick bout of cancer. My father was my best friend and my mentor, his death rocked me to my core. Though the pain is devastating, and my world feels like it is upside down, I keep going. With the support of my family, community, and team I missed only one practice, as my father would have wanted. I await my next challenge with my father to guiding me.