On The Plains with Dillon Wade: ‘A perfect fit’

AUBURN, Ala. – The process of getting to the Plains has been a long one for senior offensive lineman Dillon Wade, full of adversity and challenges. But it has been a process that has taught him valuable life lessons. 

“Playing football has taught me how to handle adversity,” Wade said. “Everyone says that, but it’s so true. It’s a sport where you’re going to have battles every day, and you have to learn to just not give up – to keep fighting to get to where you want to be.

“And also, that you need to eat right to gain weight,” Wade, who measures 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, added with a smile. 

Wade’s progression of growth in the sport began in his hometown of Houston at the age of 6. 

Starting out playing for fun at home with his uncle to get him moving, Wade worked his way up to running back and linebacker as he progressed in the sport in one of the country’s football hotbeds. He then moved on to tight end the more he grew. But eventually, his physical growth made it obvious that he was meant for the trenches. 

“I got bigger and bigger as I grew up,” Wade said. “I took a year off from football once they moved me to the trenches because, like most kids, I wanted to score touchdowns and make all the plays. I came back to the sport my sophomore year of high school and had no idea what I was doing on the offensive line.”

However, an older player at his first high school stepped up and showed him the way.

“Ladarius Carey was a big role model for me in high school,” Wade said. “He was an older player that introduced me to the O-line and saw the potential in me. We would go out and do drills together when I was at Andy Dekaney High School.”

Wade went on to finish his prep career at Cypress Falls High and started his collegiate career at Tulsa, playing 16 games over two seasons with the Golden Hurricanes before ultimately choosing to transfer. 

When it was time to make a change, Auburn was at the forefront of his mind. 

“Coach (Jake) Thornton was a big reason for me coming to Auburn,” Wade said. “For him being so young in the position that he’s in, he really had the vision I wanted to follow. It seemed like a perfect fit that the system in place was perfect for me to come here.”

Aside from the coaches, what Auburn had to offer even further solidified his decision.

“The amount of resources truly available is what first stood out to me,” Wade said. “You hear it all the time that Auburn has all these resources, but to actually see it in front of you is kind of ridiculous.”

It was those resources like nutrition, weight training and academics that really sealed the deal for the sociology major.

“When I got to Auburn, I was able to gain weight and get stronger in all areas because of the resources we have here,” Wade said. “It’s a blessing. Now I see why people dream of coming to Auburn. If I grew up seeing all that Auburn had to offer, I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else. I’d pick Auburn any day over any other.”

With all the tools and support, Wade and the offensive line are ready to show the country what they’ve worked hard on during the offseason. 

“I feel like we’re underrated as a group,” Wade said. “We were in a rebuild last year with new coaches, and to see what we were able to accomplish in a short time makes me extremely excited for this upcoming season. We’ve had an entire year under Coach Thornton and now we’re really focusing on that development in year two.”

On top of the veterans with experience returning for another season, Wade is looking forward to the fresh talent coming in that completes this group.

“The people we’ve brought in are some extraordinary humans, so this year is going to be great,” Wade said. “And I’m excited for the future. These young kids they’ve recruited just love the game and they are willing to do anything to get on the field and be great. And that’s all you can ask for.”

 

With all these new faces coming in and the lessons learned last season with this coaching staff, Wade thinks this Tiger team has what it takes to be successful.

“We have all the pieces and talent,” Wade said. “Now it’s about chemistry. If we get the chemistry down, we’ll be good this year and will hopefully be competing for championships. 

“We’ve got to take it one game at a time,” Wade added. “Things are elevated this year. We’ve improved on those important things like brotherhood. We’re a collective unit. We’re not OK with being average. This is Auburn. We want to be great.”

Part of what makes Auburn great is Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Wade can’t wait to be back. 

“It’s the most electrifying stadium I’ve ever been in,” Wade said. “You can literally feel the energy from the fans. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about playing in Jordan-Hare. I love it.”

As this step in his football journey starts to come to an end, Wade is dreaming of what all football players dream – earning a spot in the National Football League. 

But beyond a football career, Wade has other dreams as well. 

“I’m currently working on my real estate license, but I can see myself getting into coaching,” Wade said. “I’d like to open a training facility one day and teach players how to get where I’ve been.”

One thing is for sure for Wade after Auburn. 

“I hope the next step is ready for me,” Wade said. “I’m coming full force no matter what I’m doing. That’s just how I do it.”