As West Virginia University’s 2016 football recruiting class signees continued to roll in this morning, there was one commitment that was already in the bag. And he has some pretty local ties.

 

Bridgeport High School alum Dylan Tonkery was among the first that Dana Holgorsen officially announced as being a new member of the Mountaineers today. However, it was no surprise for the Class AA all-state first team member and three-time state champion.

 

The reason Tonkery is an alum prior to what most would be the end of his senior season is that he enrolled early at WVU. He began classes during the second semester.

Tonkery’s move is not an unusual one, but graduating early for purposes of sports may have been a first for Bridgeport High School, according to BHS principal Mark DeFazio last month.

 

As mentioned, Tonkery was part of three straight ‘AA’ state championship football teams while with the Indians. In fact, he started all three years for Coach Josh Nicewarner’s team’s that went 39-2-1 during that time frame.

 

 

Here’s a list of Tonkery’s accomplishments as supplied by West Virginia University:

 

• Three-year starter for coach Josh Nicewarmer at Bridgeport High
• Two-time West Virginia All-State Class AA First Team (2014-15)
• USA TODAY American Family Insurance All-USA West Virginia First Team (2015)
• Helped team to three state championships and a 39-2-1 record
• Started three years at safety and recorded 72 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two interceptions
• Had 34 tackles with five tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 2015
• Started at running back for two seasons, recording 3,401 yards on 378 carries with 40 touchdowns
• Ran for 1,534 yards on 152 carries, averaging 10.1 yards per carry, with 19 touchdowns in 2015
• Ran for 200 or more yards in two games and 100 or more yards in eight games
• Two-time All-Harrison County First Team (2014-15)
• All-Harrison County Second Team (2013)
• All-Big 10 First Team (2015)
• All-Big 10 Second Team (2014)
• Three-star recruit according to Scout
• No. 2 player in West Virginia according to Rivals
• No. 4 player in West Virginia according to 247sports and ESPN
• No. 7 safety in the East Region according to Scout