And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. … Romans 8:28
Most Christians know this Biblical verse, but for Dylan Cardwell it’s special. It’s his favorite scripture, a truth that guides every aspect of his life.
“God has proven this to be true, 100 percent,” says the 6-11, 255-pound fifth-year senior center for the Auburn basketball team.
For Cardwell, this wasn’t always the most important thing. He attended Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. when he was young.
“I went to Sunday School, but I really had no idea what was going on,” he acknowledges. “I was just going.”
But, he did know what was going on with basketball. He played at prestigious Oak Hill Academy (Va.) for his first two prep seasons, then transferred, playing his final year at McEachern High School in Powder Springs (Ga.).
As a senior, he was ranked among the nation’s top prep centers. Rivals rated him four- stars, the No. 15 center nationally. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 13 player in Georgia.
He was not always a serious student — a smart one, but not a good one.
“When I was young, I didn’t try enough,” he admits. “I knew that I was smart, but I didn’t give it enough effort. When I was in the sixth grade, I was failing math. I remember my mom crying. ‘This is not the son I’ve raised,’ she told me. I remember how bad I felt making my mother cry. After that, I didn’t make below a ‘B’ the rest of my time in school.
“She told me to ‘separate myself,’ to be a leader not just a follower. Every day even now, I pray that I will be a leader, not a follower.”
While still in high school, Cardwell experienced other significant changes.
“In the tenth grade, I started paying more attention to Steph Curry and things that he was saying,” he said. “He is outspoken about his Christian beliefs. Every time he made a shot, he pointed up. His influence had an impact on me. I could see the hand of God working.”
At McEachern, players were asked to list their goals. That also influenced Cardwell’s priorities.
“I put God on my list, but He was at the bottom,” Cardwell said. “When I finally did put God at the top of my list, things didn’t immediately start to happen, but it did make me find out who Dylan Cardwell really was. I talked with God every day. It gave me peace. I developed a special relationship with God.”
That carried over with Cardwell at Auburn.
He attends Church of the Highlands and was baptized there in 2021. This summer he traveled with his first two international mission teams, working in El Salvador and Honduras.
His basketball teams have won an SEC regular season championship and an SEC Tournament title. The Tigers have played in the last three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. They have been consistently ranked nationally and reached No. 1 two seasons ago.
Heading into the 2024-2025 season, he has a 71.3 career field goal percentage. He is fifth in blocked shots all-time at Auburn (158) and is tied for seventh in most games played (128). Barring injury, he will break that all-time mark this season (141 games, Jaylin Williams).
Cardwell could have declared for the NBA Draft, but decided to return to Auburn, joining Johni Broome for one of the strongest post positions in the country.
Why did he return?
“It was a hard decision,” he admits. “I went on a prayer vacation by myself, went to Panama City Beach. Made a pros-and-cons list. I had wanted to hear direct from God, but that didn’t happen. But, it did let me realize that whatever the decision, God would be walking with me. God would continue to use me.”
Auburn coaches, players and fans were excited about Cardwell’s decision. He has become the fans’ favorite player, due to his energy, enthusiasm and personality. When on the court, he fires up the arena after a big play. When on the bench, he supports his teammates and spurs on the crowd. His support carries across the street to Jordan-Hare Stadium where he is regularly seen on the giant screen scoreboard sitting in the stands firing up the fans.
“My energy is really the strongest part of my game,” he says. “Of course, rebounding and making stops, but really just having fun. Realizing that it’s not about me, but whatever I can do to help the team.”
He is one of Auburn’s all-time greatest shot blockers — a unique skill.
“You have to watch your opponents’ eyes, their body language,” he explains. “When you jump, you have to determine when to jump, where to jump to block the shot. Really it’s a guessing game. You have to trust your hand/eye coordination. It’s an ability you have to work on, but which has to sort of come naturally.”
There is another factor that makes Dylan glad that he’s back on the Plains. His younger brother, Drake, is a 6-5 walk-on with the team.
“Of course, he grew up an Auburn fan because of me,” Dylan says. “It’s a dream come true for us. Coming back to Auburn gives me the opportunity to help make history with him, to play for a championship together.”
Regardless how this season plays out, Dylan will leave a legacy at Auburn.
“I want to be remembered as someone who showed Auburn spirit on and off the court,” he said. “That I set an example for others. That it showed how much Auburn means to me. And, that people know how much I love God and want to be His follower. That I didn’t ever do anything that wasn’t for the Lord.”
