Wolverines' Mundy Might Just Be WPIAL's Top Recruit in 2003
By John E. Sacco

Perhaps there are not any Tyler Reed's or Tyler Palko's dotting the lists of Western Pennsylvania's top recruits out of the Class of 2003 right now, but do not be surprised if enough seniors-to-be emerge this spring and summer and through the 2002 scholastic football season to form another strong contingent of potential Division I recruits.

"It's a "potential" class," said Joe Butler, head of locally-based Metro Index Scouting. "It's similar to this past class of 2002. The class of 2003 has huge upside and a lot of potential. A lot of players will rise up through the spring and their senior year. I like the potential of the class."

Pete Peterson, of Forbes Recruit Evaluations Inc. in Miami, publishers of The Forbes Report, said that the top two or three players he considers to head the class of 2003 are as good as any top two or three in the past two or three years.

"Collectively, though, from top to bottom, we don't have as many names this year as the last two years," Peterson said. I don't think we have the same raw numbers and that's true throughout the state of Pennsylvania."

The following are capsules of PSR's Top 10 football recruits in the class of 2003 and a list of others to keep an eye on.

+ Ryan Mundy, 6-2, 205, DB-WR, Woodland Hills. Scouts love his leaping ability, athleticism and his 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. Butler said Mundy could play a number of positions, even linebacker at the next level. He led the Wolverines with 12 receptions for 219 yards (18.3 per catch).

+ Marcus Council, 6-2, 189, QB-DB, Aliquippa. Emerged in 2001 after succeeding Pittsburgh recruit Josh Lay as the Quips' quarterback. While he might not be a Division I quarterback, scouts say he could be an outstanding defensive back. Peterson said while Council lacks polish as a quarterback, he certainly has the tools. Council completed 47.1 percent of his passes last season for 1,234 yards and 12 TDs.

+ Travis Thomas, 6-0, 185, DB-RB, Washington. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the Little Prexies' PIAA and WPIAL championship team this past season. A savage hitter, Thomas has a great body and good speed. He's strong and fast. He led Washington in TDs with 23 and points with 142. He averaged 24.4 yards on 12 catches and made 61 tackles last season.

+ Kevin McCabe, 6-2, 205, QB, Pine-Richland. Was one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state this past season. Despite missing parts of three games with injuries, McCabe completed 79 of 131 passes (60.3 percent) for 1,053 yards. Butler said McCabe could really develop in 2002 and others said his size, quick feet and strong arm make him a prime prospect.

+ Zach Beebe, 6-5, 275, OT, Mount Lebanon. Beebe is on the rise, the scouts said. He was a major factor in helping the Blue Devils qualify for the WPIAL playoffs and helping running back Brian Young lead the WPIAL in rushing during the regular season. Said Butler: "He's a very good offensive player."

+ Allen Billyk, 6-5, 245, OL, New Castle. Peterson is high on Billyk after first seeing him practice against former Hurricane lineman Nick Marmo, who was recruited by Penn State a couple of years ago. "I think he is the real deal," Peterson said. "Alan is an all-around player. He's a pretty good football player. He's not as good as (North Hills' Mark Farris, one of this year's top linemen in the United States) but he is close. And Farris is the best I've seen in a long time."

+ Garrett Webster, 6-9, 315, OT, Moon. The son of Steelers' Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. Butler said Webster is all potential and needs to rotate his hips more and bend more at the waist. "He needs to get more flexible but he can get in front of people and he is very strong."

+ Jason Jackson, 6-3, 245, FB-DE, Wilkinsburg. Scouts and opponents are wowed by his physical presence. He's a force on both sides of the ball. Said Butler: "He's a manchild right now. He's real strong and really physical."

+ Philip Hall, 6-3, 290, OT, Woodland Hills. Both Butler and Peterson rate him highly and he is one of a number of talented Wolverines returning in 2002.

+ Dionte Henry, 5-11, 190, RB-FB, West Allegheny. Playing in the shadows of Palko and receiver Joe Slappy, Henry did not receive the attention he might have on another team. Then again, he might not have become as good without being surrounded by the Indians' wealth of talent. Nonetheless, Henry enjoyed a fantastic post-season in helping West Allegheny to the state and WPIAL titles.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Paul Posluszny, LB-RB, Hopewell; Windell Brown, DB-RB, Duquesne; Rodney Slappy, WR-DB, Beaver Falls; Ray Lankford, DB, McKeepsort; Jim Rudisill, OL, Gateway; Austin Sykes, RB-DB, Moon; Tyler Altman, LB-OL, Latrobe; Chris Morgan, DB, Woodland Hills; Robert Lichius, OL, Woodland Hills.