LYNN — English senior Tyler Drinan has come a long way on the gridiron in the past two seasons.
Going into his junior year Drinan actually wasn’t even slated to play football for the Bulldogs after growing up on the soccer field. But when coach Chris Carroll and his staff came knocking, looking for a new kicker, Drinan decided to make the switch.
It’s safe to say it was the right choice.
“When (coach Travonne Berry Rogers) texted me about playing I was a little bit wary about it,” Drinan said. “But when I went out and practiced I thought, ‘Oh wow I could actually do something with this.’ That first day at practice all I remember is doing one kickoff and coach Carroll going, ‘that’s good enough, that’s good.’ That’s where it all started.”
Things only got better from there. Over the next two years, Drinan became the Bulldogs go-to man on kickoffs, extra points and punts. Now, with his days as a Bulldog behind him, he’ll continue his kicking career at the next level with Franklin Pierce. Drinan signed his letter of commitment last week at English High School surrounded by family and friends.
For Drinan, who has a 3.5 GPA and plans to major in sports management, the Ravens checked his off his needs both on the field, and in the classroom.
“(It’s) a good school academically,” Drinan said. “For sports management, they’re a really good school. And financially, it was a better situation for me obviously. It just seemed like the right fit for me.”
Last season was Franklin Pierce’s first year competing as a NCAA Division 2 program in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Ravens took their lumps, finishing with a 1-10 record, but Drinan is optimistic to see how the program can continue to grow as they get acclimated to their new competition.
“It seemed like the best option,” Drinan said. “Football wise it’s going to be good to be apart of a new upcoming program. They’re looking to improve and aren’t going to slow down doing that anytime soon.”
Drinan’s kicking career at English was highlighted by the improvements he made in a short time.
“What I take away from it (are) the strides he made from his junior to senior year,” Carroll said. “His junior year was completely just being a natural kicker. Not much form, but he could kick the ball. Then, his senior year he really came into his own. Extra points were automatic, he hit a huge field goal against Revere to tie the game and kickoffs were good. I continue to say his best football is only ahead of him.”
Trading in his love for soccer and discovering a passion for football wasn’t an easy choice for Drinan, but he quickly embraced his new position.
“It really became a reality that I could continue this at college last season,” Drinan said. “I went to some camps over the summer and spring and really got used to kicking more than I had before. I expanded into my craft more. I love this sport and I like what I do so I realized it was something I could keep doing in college.”
The work Drinan put in during his time at English is something that will carry over into his Ravens career and he’s hoping to hit the ground running next fall.
“I had a kicking coach over the summer and he really helped me a lot. I’ve worked a lot on my form. That’s honestly the biggest factor. Form is more important than power kicking. That’s what helped me the most. I’m hoping it goes well right from the start next year. Hopefully I can just go there and do the best I can do.”
