KENNESAW, Ga. — Dylan Gary has always had a ball in his hands. 

Born in Suwanee, Ga., to Willie and Samantha Gary, he is the son of a former Kentucky defensive back and Tennessee track star. Despite his parents’ history in athletics, Gary says he was never pushed to play sports. 

It just happened that way. 

“Since I was little, I always had a ball in my hand, either a football or basketball,” he said. “I’ve just loved sports ever since I was little. They didn’t really push me on it. It was just something I was good at and enjoyed doing.” 

During his senior year at North Gwinnett High School, Gary was an 8A All-Region First Team selection in both football and basketball. While leading his basketball team to the GHSA Elite Eight, he also posted 37 catches for 600 yards and five touchdowns.

After his senior year, he had two decisions to make. Was it going to be football or basketball, and where would he play? 

“I had a few basketball offers, but I just went the football route,” Gary said. “I felt like I had a better future in football, and for my height, I’m a bigger receiver. In basketball, I’m just an average height, like a point guard.” 

He ended up at the University of West Georgia in 2024, playing in 11 games for the Wolves. On the season, Gary finished with 48 receptions for 810 yards and nine touchdowns. 

“I just wanted to go somewhere where I could showcase my ability,” he said. “I just wanted to work hard and play the game I love. It was a really good experience.” 

Gary once again entered the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season, this time choosing from two schools in his home state: Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State. He ended up at Georgia Southern, playing in 11 games for the Eagles. 

In those 11 games, Gary totaled six catches for 59 yards and one touchdown. After the season, Gary decided to enter the portal one more time, this time choosing Kennesaw State. 

“Coach Mack called me and asked what I had going on with the portal, because they had recruited me before when I chose Georgia Southern,” he said. “When I got in the portal again, he said he wanted me and I knew I loved it there. They took a chance on me so I thank them for that.” 

After opening the season with seven catches for 54 yards and a touchdown in the win against West Georgia, Gary patiently waited for his opportunity. 

The opportunity arrived on Oct. 14 versus Missouri State. Tying the program record in receptions and setting new career-highs, Gary finished with 10 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. 

“I was just staying down, waiting for my opportunity,” he said. “When I finally got it, it felt great. Thank God for the opportunity and I just made the most of it.” 

After recruiting Gary for two straight offseasons, Owls head coach Jerry Mack finally secured the guy he wanted on his roster this season. Seeing his breakout game against Missouri State only confirmed what Mack already knew. 

“He continues to get better in our system, and last Wednesday was an accumulation of everything coming together for him,” Mack said. “He’s put together a really good week of practice, and there’s a lot more catches, yards and touchdowns out there for him as the season continues to progress.” 

Gary’s approach to earning those extra opportunities is pretty straightforward. 

“If you work hard in practice, the game is going to come easy,” he said. “So you go hard every day in practice. That way when it comes game time, you just go out there and play free and don’t have to worry about the external stuff. Everything is meant to happen as it’s supposed to happen.”

Off the field, Gary has three cats: Sparky, Luka (named after Luka Doncic), and Lucy. He says this is another trait he gets from his parents.

“I’ve always been a cat guy,” he laughed. “My family used to always have cats, so I think I just went the cat route too.” 

With six games left on the season, Gary looks to build on his momentum within this Owls offense and stay ready for any more opportunities that are thrown his way.