ST. CHARLES – Dylan Barrett received a harsh dose of reality in the eighth grade.

He was benched.

"I was devastated," said Barrett, St. Charles East's rising senior offensive guard.

"That was really the reality check of 'You just can't be big and play the game,'" Barrett continued. "You also have to be smart, know the plays, have good footwork and all those things you need to have to be a good lineman."

Barrett is now a 6-foot-5, 290-pound Wisconsin recruit. A three-star prospect by 247Sports.com's composite rankings, he is the 11th-rated recruit in Illinois in the Class of 2020, and the 47th-ranked guard in his class nationally.

Barrett, though, initially did not grasp the nuances of the craft.

"My mindset was 'I'm big so I can start, and I'll be able to push people around,'" Barrett said.

Later that season, Wredling Middle School faced Thompson Middle School at Norris Stadium, home of St. Charles East. Barrett remembers the Saints' varsity team and coach Bryce Farquhar in attendance.

After missing two games, Barrett returned to start on both the offensive and defensive lines.

"I got a sack to win the game that led to an interception," Barrett said. "That was just an amazing feeling...that was really [the wakeup call] like 'Wow, maybe if I actually try, know what I'm doing, I can actually succeed at this.'"

Barrett went for runs each day. He'd take friends, ride his bike and do cone drills at a hill at James O'Breen Park in St. Charles.

"You name it," Barrett said. "I did it up the hill, I'm telling you. I instilled my work ethic into myself."

Barrett entered high school as a freshman with a whole new mindset.

"I just can't be big anymore...now there's going to be actual competition," Barrett said. "I never knew what competition was because I was always the big one."

He vividly remembers at football orientation seeing the varsity jersey.

"I thought that was the only jersey that there was," Barrett said. "I was like, ‘I need to wear that jersey no matter what it is.’ That was my drive."

Sure enough, Barrett was promoted to varsity halfway through his freshman season.

HIs first snaps came in the Saints' homecoming game against Bartlett, a 17-7 victory.

He donned No. 74, one that Barrett has embraced and worn ever since.

"Hopefully, the next person when I graduate has that number, they can say: 'Oh, I have Dylan Barrett's number' and they have a spot to fill," Barrett said.

Barrett played at least one series in the next three regular season games before earning the start in St. Charles East's first-round matchup against Lockport. He alternated between right and left guard.

"He did exactly what he needed to do," former Saints teammate and offensive tackle Justin Hull said. "That's when I realized this kid is here to play football."

The Saints won 45-0, eventually reaching the IHSA Class 8A quarterfinals.

Barrett has started the past two years on varsity, playing alongside Hull. He'll now venture into his final season without one of his best friends next to him on the line.

"We call our O-Line the 'Ollies'," said Hull, who is headed to Minnesota-Duluth this fall to play football. "It's like a small family inside a bigger football family. You can [say] the kid is kind of like a brother to me."

On the football field, the relationship shined best. Especially at the line of scrimmage.

"I wouldn't call anything out," Hull said. "I would know that he would see it. He would know what to do. We were just in sync. He's a great person on and off the field, and I'm glad I got to play with him."

With Hull leaving, it leaves a void. Barrett and the Saints' other returning starters, Alexander Cox and Eduardo Mancera, hope to jell smoothly throughout the summer. Following the season, Barrett plans to graduate St. Charles East early and head to Madison for the next chapter of his football career.

"Luckily, they only have to fill two spots," Hull said. "I feel like he definitely has the leadership qualities and traits available to make sure the O-Line is solid again for another year of football."