Silverdale star Connor Delashmitt’s DI dream comes true right at home
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Mocs might have just found their next all-conference linebacker — right in their backyard. Silverdale running back Connor Delashmitt committed to the Mocs this month and is excited for the challenge.
“I think one of the major attributes that Connor carries is his sheer determination. When he sets his mind to something, it’s going to happen,” Silverdale head coach Mike Connor said.
Delashmitt set his mind to playing Division I football as a freshman at Silverdale. Now, four years later, he’s the newest addition to the Chattanooga Mocs.
“I was actually committed somewhere else, and UTC came out of nowhere, and it just turned out in the perfect situation for me and my family,” Delashmitt said.
“We’ve had several conversations with UTC, and they just kept reminding him, ‘When you hear the word no, you find another way.’ So his sheer determination is what gave him the hope to keep pressing through and ultimately giving him the patience to wait,” Connor said.
Delashmitt owns every possible rushing record for the Seahawks with more than 6,000 total yards and 52 touchdowns. But he will transition to linebacker for the Mocs.
“He’s a hammer, so it’s not surprising that they see him as an inside linebacker,” Connor said. “I mean, he’s being compared to the Boeck kid, Ty Boeck, who had a similar journey — was a great student of the game, and he’s now being talked about going to the NFL, so that’s Delashmitt. He has those same qualities. He’s going to be a sponge to try to learn it.”
“I’m so excited. Like, I’m going to pick his brain as soon as I get there. I’m going to find out every single thing that he loves about football and everything that he’s worked on and all the things that he does on his own time. I’m just really excited to meet him as a person,” Delashmitt said.
“I’m just so proud of him, proud of his patience, proud that the Lord gave him the opportunity to do what he wants,” Connor said.” Not many people who’ve been told they can’t play at that level – they’re not big enough, they’re not fast enough – hang in there and make an opportunity for them to get a chance. Now he’s got to just take advantage of the opportunity, so that’s the type of kid he is. That’s the type of character he brings in, so I’m excited to see what UTC does with him.”
.@connordelashmi1 is staying home! @FootballSba's star running back has committed to @GoMocsFB & will transition to linebacker. @CoachRustyW was a main selling factor for the Mocs.
Full story on Delashmitt's decision, comign up at 5:30 on @wdefnews12!#ForTheCity @SBASeahawks pic.twitter.com/5M5vTwoBIn
— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) June 28, 2022
