Yes it is probably that, more than likely. I remember watching young players, back in the era of SUFC vs MUFC in the FA youth cup final. First leg at BDTBL, the stand out players for me were Harry Maguire and Paul Pogba. I wrote on Sheffield Forum (a local, pig controlled forum) at the time, that Maguire looked like a man amongst boys, big, strong, no nonsense. George Long did well, and the other stand out was Matty Harriott. Pogba was tall, skinny and fast, skilful.
Of course, Maguire and Pogba have gone on to play at the highest level, George Long still playing football at a lower level. Matty Harriott plays in the 6th tier for Wieldstone FC. Other from that era also dropped into non-league, Jordan Slew playing at Radcliffe, and looks like he has only scored a dozen goals in the last 8 years.
DDG is still only 22, he may end up doing a "Jamie Vardy" and come back into the upper tiers later in life.
GLTTL.