A.J. Dillon Bio
Algiers Jameal William Dillon Jr. (born May 2, 1998), nicknamed “Quadzilla”, is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles, with whom he became the school’s all-time rushing yards leader with 4,382 yards. Dillon was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 62nd overall pick and played for the Packers from 2020 to 2024 before joining the Eagles in 2025.
Early Life and Background
A.J. Dillon was born on May 2, 1998, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Connecticut and attended New London High School as a freshman, where he played sparingly on the football team. He was subsequently recruited to Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts, a private boarding school where he developed into a dominant running back.
At Lawrence Academy, Dillon quickly established himself as the focal point of the team’s offense. By his sophomore year, he rushed for 1,321 yards and 21 touchdowns while also starting at linebacker. As a junior, he improved to 1,887 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. Despite playing in only four games during his senior season due to a broken leg, he still recorded 635 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and was named MVP of Nike’s Opening.
Path to American Football
Dillon originally committed to play college football at the University of Michigan. However, he eventually flipped his commitment and chose to sign with Boston College. This decision proved pivotal, as it allowed him to stay in the Northeast and develop under the Boston College coaching staff.
Upon arriving at Boston College in 2017, Dillon made an immediate impact. In his collegiate debut against Northern Illinois, he rushed five times for 20 yards. His breakthrough came on October 14, 2017, when he had a standout performance against Louisville with 29 carries for 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns. That freshman season, Dillon played in all 13 games and rushed for a Boston College freshman record of 1,589 yards on 300 carries with 14 touchdowns, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
A.J. Dillon Career
Boston College Eagles (2017–2019)
Following his impressive freshman season, Dillon became the first player in Boston College history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In 2018, despite dealing with an ankle injury suffered against Temple, he still recorded 1,149 total yards and 11 touchdowns. His consistency and durability set the foundation for his senior campaign.
In 2019, Dillon reached peak performance, leading the ACC with 1,685 rushing yards. He set multiple Boston College records, including becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,382 yards and 38 career rushing touchdowns. His 40 total touchdowns and 4,618 all-purpose yards also remain program records. On December 10, 2019, Dillon declared for the 2020 NFL Draft after his junior season, forgoing his senior year of eligibility.
Green Bay Packers Era (2020–2024)
Dillon was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 62nd overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 1, 2020, worth $5.3 million with a $1.4 million signing bonus. Head coach Matt LaFleur named Dillon the third running back on the depth chart behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams to begin his rookie season.
He saw his first NFL action on September 13, 2020, during a Week 1 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, logging two carries for 14 yards in his debut. Dillon scored his first two NFL touchdowns on December 27, 2020, during a Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans, totaling 124 rushing yards on 21 carries during the 40–14 win. In his rookie season, he had 46 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns while also playing in the playoff run that ended in the NFC Championship game.
After Jamaal Williams left in free agency, Dillon became the second-string running back in 2021. He had a breakthrough performance in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 15 carries for 81 yards. That season, Dillon recorded 187 carries for 803 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 34 receptions for 313 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 17 games. In 2022, he appeared in all 17 games with three starts, finishing with 186 carries for 770 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
In the 2023 season, Dillon played in 15 games with six starts, recording 613 rushing yards and two touchdowns along with 22 catches for 223 yards. He re-signed with the Packers on March 15, 2024, on a one-year qualifying offer worth up to $2.575 million. However, on August 27, 2024, he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury, officially ending his season.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Dillon signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The move brought him to a new team in the NFC East, where he joined a running back room looking to contribute on special teams and short-yardage situations. He appeared in seven games during the 2025 season.
Running Style and Strengths
Dillon is known for his powerful, downhill running style that makes him particularly effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His 6-foot-0-inch, 247-pound frame allows him to break tackles and move the pile. He has shown reliable hands out of the backfield, making him a versatile option in the passing game. His discipline and patience behind the offensive line have enabled him to maintain a respectable yards-per-carry average despite often facing stacked boxes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dillon’s career highlights include scoring his first NFL touchdowns on Sunday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans in 2020, helping the Packers advance to the NFC Championship that season. His contributions during the 2022 season, where he scored seven rushing touchdowns, provided crucial support to the Green Bay offense. His consistency in appearing in games and contributing on special teams has made him a valued depth player throughout his career.
A.J. Dillon Career Statistics
Across five seasons in the NFL through the 2025 season, Dillon has established himself as a reliable complementary running back capable of contributing in various roles. His combined rushing and receiving production has made him a valuable asset for multiple franchises.
NFL Career Highlights
In his NFL career through 2025, Dillon has recorded 2,488 rushing yards on 607 attempts with 16 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed as a receiver with 89 receptions for 784 yards and two receiving touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2021 with 803 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, along with 34 catches for 313 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His rookie season provided a glimpse of his big-play ability with an average of 5.3 yards per carry.
College Career Highlights
At Boston College, Dillon set the standard for the program’s rushing history. He holds the school record with 4,382 career rushing yards in just three seasons. His 38 career rushing touchdowns and 40 total touchdowns remain Boston College records. He is the only player in program history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, doing so in all three years of his collegiate career. His 1,685 rushing yards in 2019 led the ACC, and his single-season totals of 1,589 yards as a freshman and 1,685 yards as a junior showcased his sustained excellence.
| Competition Level | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2020–2025) | 2,488 | 16 | 89 | 784 | 2 |
| College (2017–2019) | 4,382 | 38 | ndash; | ndash; | 2 |
A.J. Dillon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
A.J. Dillon comes from an impressive athletic lineage. His grandfather, Thom Gatewood, was an All-American college football player at the University of Notre Dame and served as captain of the 1972 team. Gatewood is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, establishing a legacy of excellence that Dillon has continued in his own football career. This family connection to Notre Dame football adds historical context to Dillon’s athletic pedigree.
Personal Life
Dillon married Gabrielle Toonen on June 25, 2022, in Door County, Wisconsin. The couple met through her brother, Will Toonen, with whom Dillon co-hosted the “Toonen to Dillon” podcast from December 2021 to April 2022. Their son was born on May 2, 2023, sharing the same birthday as Dillon, a notable coincidence that the family celebrated together. Dillon is of African-American and Jewish heritage, reflecting his diverse background. He has become an avid promoter of Door County, Wisconsin, first visiting there after joining the Packers. In November 2021, he was given the key to Door County by Destination Door County, becoming the only person to receive that honor.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter in A.J. Dillon’s NFL career as he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in March. Transitioning to a new team in the competitive NFC East, Dillon worked to establish his role within the Eagles’ offensive scheme. He appeared in seven games during the season, contributing primarily on special teams and in short-yardage situations where his power and experience provided value to the coaching staff.
Dillon’s integration into the Eagles’ running back rotation required adaptation to new playbook terminology and relationships with different coaches and teammates. His veteran experience from five seasons with the Packers brought leadership and professionalism to the Eagles’ locker room. The Eagles utilized his services in goal-line situations and as a change-of-pace back, leveraging his 247-pound frame for tough yards between the tackles.
Looking ahead, Dillon’s outlook with the Eagles remains positive as he continues to prove his value as a reliable depth piece and special teams contributor. His durability throughout his career, despite the 2024 injury setback, demonstrates his resilience and commitment to football. The 2025 season reinforced his ability to contribute when called upon, keeping him in the plans for future seasons as an experienced professional in the league.