University of Pittsburgh 2002 Football Recruits
Complete Bios

David Abdul, PK, 5-10, 175, Hartville, Ohio, Massillon Washington H.S.

* Finished his career as the all-time leading kick scorer in Ohio high school history

* Two-time All-Ohio Division I (largest classification)

* Two-time All-County and All-Northeast Inland District

* Made 15-of-23 field goals (.652) as a senior, including a long of 54 yards

* Connected on 61-of-62 extra points (.984) as a senior

* Was 5-of-7 from 40-49 yards and was 4-of-9 in attempts over 50 yards his senior year

* Kicked a career long 56-yard field goal his junior season

* Of his 84 kickoffs during the 2001 season, 54 were touchbacks (64 percent)

* Helped team to a 12-2 record, the regional championship and berth in the state semifinals as a senior

* PrepStar "Dream Team"

* Rated the nation's No. 2 specialist by PrepStar

* PrepStar All-Midwest Region

* Rated the nation's No. 4 kicker by Student Sports

* Rated the nation's No. 5 kicker by Rivals100.com

* Listed as one of the Midwest Region's top 100 prospects by SuperPrep

* Played under Coach Rick Shepas

Andy Alleman, DE, 6-4, 235, Greentown, Ohio, Massillon Washington H.S.

* County's Most Valuable Player

* Compiled 85 tackles (52 solo), 10 tackles for losses and 17 quarterback hurries as a senior

* Helped team to a 12-2 record, the regional championship and berth in the state semifinals as a senior

* Washington's team captain and Most Valuable Player

* PrepStar All-American

* PrepStar All-Midwest Region

* Rated the nation's No. 21 defensive end by Rivals100.com

* Rated the nation's No. 66 defensive end by Student Sports

* Top 70 overall prospect in Midwest Region by SuperPrep

* Played under Coach Rick Shepas

Azzie Beagnyam, LB, 6-1, 230, Seabrook, Texas, Clear Lake H.S.

* 2001 District 24-5A Defensive Player of the Year

* Led Clear Lake with 80 tackles and also compiled nine sacks, four passes defended and one fumble recovery as a senior

* Unanimous All-District selection as a junior after recording 75 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries

* Three-year starter at defensive end but is a projected linebacker at Pittsburgh

* Rated the nation's No. 22 inside linebacker by Rivals100.com

* Rated the nation's No. 52 linebacker by Student Sports

* Listed among the top 100 linebacker prospects in Texas by Bobby Burton's TexasPrepXtra.com

* Played under Coach Troy Aduddell

Brian Bennett, LB, 6-0, 215, Delanco, N.J., Holy Cross H.S.

* All-New Jersey (second team)

* Two-time All-Burlington County

* Totaled 156 tackles, eight sacks and four fumble recoveries as a senior

* Had over 150 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior

* Helped Holy Cross to a two-year record of 18-4 and the 2000 state championship

* In 2000 state title game, blocked a punt and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown

* Has been a starter since his freshman season, playing his initial two years at Riverside High (N.J.) and his junior and senior seasons at Holy Cross

* Started at inside linebacker (senior year) and strong safety (junior) at Holy Cross

* Started at linebacker and running back his two seasons at Riverside

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* Listed as the nation's No. 31 safety prospect by Student Sports

* Played under Coach Tom Maderia at Holy Cross

Vernon Botts, DE/TE, 6-4, 230, Eastampton, N.J., Rancocas Valley Regional H.S.

* Two-time All-Burlington County

* Two-time All-Olympic Conference

* Two-way starter (defensive end and tight end) as a senior and junior

* Helped Rancocas Valley to the Olympic Conference championship and state playoffs as a senior

* Played under Coach Jim DiCicco

Princell Brockenbrough, WR, 6-3, 200, Richmond, Va., Henrico H.S., City College of San Francisco (Calif.)

* Had 65 receptions for 1,055 yards (16.2 avg.) and 20 touchdowns in two seasons at City College of San Francisco

* Caught 35 passes for 534 yards (15.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 2001

* Had 30 receptions for 521 yards (17.4 avg.) and nine TDs during the 2000 season

* Team won two California Community College championships during his career, going a combined 24-0

* Will have junior eligibility (three years to play two seasons) at Pittsburgh

* Nation's No. 1 junior college receiver according to JCFootball.com

* Nation's No. 9 overall junior college prospect by SuperPrep

* Two-way standout (receiver and free safety) at Henrico High in Virginia

* High school honors included All-Virginia, All-Region and All-District

* Played under Coach George Rush at CCSF and Coach David Bedwell at Henrico

Sam Bryant, DB, 6-0, 205, Reading, Pa., Reading H.S.

* The Associated Press Big School All-State Team (third team)

* Defensively, played both safety positions as well as linebacker during his career

* Logged 66 tackles, four forced fumbles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries (returning one for a touchdown) as a senior

* Also played running back and rushed for 821 yards and 15 touchdowns on 81 carries (10.1 avg.)

* Had eight receptions for 155 yards (19.4 avg.) and three touchdowns

* Finished with 19 total touchdowns in 2001

* Named first team All-Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 at both running back and defensive back

* 2001 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 Defensive Back of the Year

* First team All-Berks County at both running back and defensive back

* 2001 Berks County Offensive Back of the Year

* Three-year starter

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* 27th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* National Top 100 safety prospect by Rivals100.com and Student Sports

* Played under Coach Al Wolski

Steve Buches, TE, 6-3, 215, Pittsburgh, Pa., Pittsburgh Central Catholic H.S.

* The Associated Press Big School All-State Team (second team)

* WPIAL's top receiving tight end in 2001

* Had 29 receptions for 655 yards (22.5 avg.) and seven touchdowns as a senior

* Caught nine passes for 153 yards (17.0 avg.) and a touchdown versus Penn Hills, and three passes for 93 yards (31.0 avg.) and a TD versus McKeesport

* Had 26 receptions as a junior

* 2½-year starter at tight end and also played defensive end

* Also a two-year starting long snapper

* Central Catholic's team captain

* Pittsburgh-Post Gazette "Fabulous 22"

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Class AAAA Quad East

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-WPIAL Class AAAA

* Led Central Catholic to an 11-2 record and WPIAL Class AAAA runner-up finish as a senior

* Team went 8-3 and advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals his junior season

* 15th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* Played under Coach Art Walker, Jr.

Jason Capizzi, OL, 6-9, 300, Gibsonia, Pa., Pine-Richland H.S.

* Originally signed with Pittsburgh in 2001 but delayed full-time enrollment until January 2002

* Will participate in spring drills and have freshman eligibility (five years to play four seasons)

* First-team All-Greater Allegheny Conference selection by league coaches

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-WPIAL Greater Allegheny Conference

* Three-year starter at offensive tackle and a starter on the defensive line as a senior

* Also contributed at long snapper

* Led team to the WPIAL playoffs in 1999 and 2000

* Team captured the 1999 Greater Allegheny Conference championship, its first league title in 25 years

* Played under Coach Clair Altemus

Reggie Carter, DB, 6-0, 190, Naples, Fla., Naples H.S.

* Two-year starter at cornerback for 2001 Florida 5A state champion Naples High

* First team All-Collier County and Honorable Mention All-District

* Collected 64 tackles (40 solo) with 15 pass breakups and three interceptions as a senior

* Scored three touchdowns, including a 91-yard fumble return, 23-yard return of a blocked punt and 65-yard pass reception on a fake punt

* Also had four tackles for losses and three forced fumbles

* Helped Naples to a 12-2 record en route to the state title in 2001 and a 7-3 mark and playoff berth in 2000

* Regional champion in the triple jump as a junior

* Enters his senior season in track and field ranked second in the state of Florida in the triple jump

* Listed among the nation's top 60 cornerback prospects by Student Sports

* PrepStar Honorable Mention All-Southeast Region

* Played under Coach Bill Krame Larry Fitzgerald, WR, 6-3, 210, Minneapolis, Minn., Academy of the Holy Angels H.S., Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.)

* Had 35 receptions for 420 yards and seven touchdowns in six games at Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.) in 2001

* As a high school senior at Academy of the Holy Angels (Minn.), was considered one of the elite receivers in the country by many scouting services

* First team All-Midwest (top 20 players in the Midwest Region) by the Detroit Free Press

* Two-time first team All-Minnesota

* Two-time first team All-Metro

* Had 73 receptions for 1,254 yards (17.2 avg.) and 17 touchdowns as a senior

* As a junior had 54 receptions for 1,347 yards (24.9 avg.) with 12 touchdowns and had 10 consecutive 100-yard receiving games

* Also a three-year defensive starter, playing free safety as a senior and outside linebacker as a junior and sophomore

* Nation's fifth-ranked receiver according to Tom Lemming

* 5th-ranked receiver in the country by PrepStar

* 12th-ranked receiver in the country by SuperPrep

* 19th-ranked receiver in the country by Rivals100.com

* PrepStar "Dream Team" and All-American

* SuperPrep All-American

* 14th-ranked prospect in Midwest Region by SuperPrep

* PrepStar Super 30 All-Midwest Region

* Played under Mike Muscella at Valley Forge and Mike Pendino at Academy of the Holy Angels

Eric Fritz, DL, 6-3, 295, Dublin, Ohio, Dublin Coffman H.S.

* First team All-Ohio Capital Conference

* Second team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio

* Three-year starter

* Helped Dublin Coffman to the state semifinals and a 9-4 mark as a senior

* Compiled 96.5 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries as a senior

* Had 65 tackles and six sacks as a junior

* PrepStar All-American

* PrepStar All-Midwest Region

* 66th-ranked prospect in Midwest Region by SuperPrep

* Nation's 42nd-ranked defensive tackle by Rivals100.com

* Father Ken was an All-American guard at Ohio State in 1979

* Played under Coach Mark Crabtree

Billy Gaines, WR, 5-7, 170, Ijamsville, Md., Urbana H.S.

* Consensus All-Maryland selection as a junior and senior

* 2001 Baltimore Touchdown Club Player of the Year

* 2001 Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year

* Three-time All-Gazette, All-League and All-Area selection

* Had 41 receptions for 662 yards (16.1 avg.) and 13 touchdowns in 2001

* A three-year starter at receiver, Gaines also returned punts and started at cornerback his senior season

* Helped team to three state championships during his varsity career

* Posted career numbers of 116 receptions for 2,036 yards (17.6 avg.) and 34 touchdowns

* In the 2001 state championship game, caught a 21-yard touchdown pass to lift Urbana to a 7-6 victory over Patuxent

* Led Urbana to a 12-0 mark his senior season to help extend the school's winning streak to 50 games, a Maryland record

* PrepStar All-Atlantic Region

* 17th-ranked prospect in MidAtlantic Region by SuperPrep

* Listed as one of the nation's top 60 receiver prospects by Student Sports

* Played under Coach Dave Carruthers

Luke Getsy, QB, 6-2, 210, Munhall, Pa., Steel Valley H.S.

* The Associated Press Small School All-State Team (first team)

* First four-year starting quarterback in Steel Valley High history

* Completed 58 percent of his passes (100 of 172) for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns with just eight interceptions as a senior

* For his career, Getsy threw for 6,021 yards and 59 touchdowns, while completing 52 percent (389 of 754)

* Also started at cornerback as a senior

* Led Steel Valley to the WPIAL playoffs four times

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-Century Conference

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review All-WPIAL Class AA

* Two-time first team All-Century Conference

* Listed among the nation's top 40 quarterback prospects by Student Sports and Rivals100.com

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* 24th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* KDKA-TV "Extra Effort Award" winner

* A standout for Steel Valley's basketball team that rose to a No. 2 ranking in the WPIAL's Class AAA this season

* A four-year starter in basketball and baseball

* Played under Coach Ed Wehrer

Bernard "Josh" Lay, DB, 6-2, 190, Aliquippa, Pa., Aliquippa H.S., Valley Forge Military Academy

* Enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in January after spending last fall at Valley Forge Military Academy

* Will participate in 2002 spring drills and have freshman eligibility (five years to play four seasons)

* Played quarterback, receiver and cornerback for Valley Forge

* Had four interceptions in one game against Wyoming Seminary

* Selected to The Associated Press 2000 Small School All-State Team (first team) while at Aliquippa High

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2000 Player of the Year

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Male Athlete of the Year (1999-2000)

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2000 WPIAL Class AA Player of the Year

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2000 Class AA Player of the Year as a senior and junior

* Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

* Three-year starter at cornerback for the Quips

* Started sophomore year at wide receiver and junior and senior seasons at quarterback

* Threw for 1,368 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 71-of-139 passes (.511) as a senior

* Also rushed for 556 yards on 63 carries (8.8 avg.) and caught two passes for 51 yards (25.5 avg.) as a senior

* Over his junior and senior years, Lay completed 147-of-300 passes (.490) for 2,831 yards and 37 touchdowns

* Was Aliquippa's leading receiver as a sophomore with 29 receptions for 637 yards (21.9 avg.)

* Had 18 career interceptions, including four as a senior, five as a junior and nine as a sophomore

* Had two interceptions in the 2000 WPIAL championship game despite playing with a broken hand

* Led Aliquippa to a 14-1 record, the 2000 WPIAL Class AA championship and the state finals

* Led the Quips to a combined 34-5 record (.872) during his career

* Also a basketball standout, Lay helped the Quips to two WPIAL Class AA championships and the 2001 state title game

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* Nation's 27th-rated defensive back by Rivals100.com

* Was a high school teammate of Monroe Weekley, a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Panthers

* Played under Coach Mike Zmijanac at Aliquippa High and Mike Muscella at Valley Forge

Larry Moore, DB, 5-9, 170, Gahanna, Ohio, Lincoln H.S.

* Two-year starter at cornerback

* Compiled 40 tackles, four caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception as a senior

* All-Ohio Capital Conference and Honorable Mention All-District in 2001

* Helped team to two conference championships and two playoff berths during his career

* Played under Coach Mike Lanza

Tyler Palko, QB, 6-2, 210, Imperial, Pa., West Allegheny H.S.

* The Associated Press 2001 Pennsylvania Big School Player of the Year

* Three-time first-team honoree on The Associated Press Big School All-State Team

* USA Today All-America Team (second team)

* Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WPIAL Class AAA Player of the Year

* Three-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" honoree

* Three-time Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player of the Year

* Three-time Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" honoree

* Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which invites 74 of the top high school players in the country to participate

* Participated in the renowned Elite 11 camp, which invites the nation's top 11 quarterbacks to California for a clinic

* Had a 48-7 record in four years as West Allegheny's starting quarterback

* Led West Allegheny to three consecutive WPIAL Class AAA championships and three straight PIAA title games

* West Allegheny won the 2001 PIAA championship, the first AAA state title ever by a WPIAL team

* Completed nearly 60 percent of his passes (134 of 225) for 1,887 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior

* Also rushed for 628 yards and eight TDs his senior season

* Finished his high school career with 5,553 passing yards and 1,681 rushing yards

* Also excelled on defense at safety and totaled over 80 tackles and four interceptions as a senior

* In the 2001 state championship game, Palko completed 14-of-20 passes (70 percent) for 202 yards and a touchdown, while also intercepting one pass on defense

* His performance in the state title game lifted West Allegheny to a 28-13 win over two-time defending champion Strath Haven, which entered the contest with a 44-game winning streak

* PrepStar "Dream Team"

* Rated the nation's No. 9 overall prospect by Tom Lemming

* Rated as one of the nation's top seven passing quarterbacks by Max Emfinger

* Rated the No. 1 quarterback in the East and sixth nationally by PrepStar

* PrepStar "Super 30" All-Eastern Region

* SuperPrep All-American

* Nation's No. 10 quarterback prospect by SuperPrep

* Listed as the No. 1 overall prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* Listed by Rivals100.com as the nation's No. 8 "dual-threat" quarterback

* Student Sports All-American (first team)

* Student Sports East Region Player of the Year

* Played under his father, Coach Bob Palko, at West Allegheny

Charles Sallet, LB, 6-0, 210, Tampa, Fla., Armwood H.S.

* Armwood's all-time leader with 38 quarterback sacks

* Recorded 82 quarterback hurries in three varsity seasons

* Compiled 101 tackles, 12 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown as a senior

* Had 103 tackles and eight sacks as a junior

* Three-year starter at defensive end but is a projected linebacker at Pittsburgh

* First team All-Western Conference, St. Petersburg Times All-Sun Coast and All-District

* Helped Armwood to a three-year record of 24-12 and two playoff berths

* As a junior in 2000, Sallet led team to the regional championship and Class 3A state semifinals with an 11-3 record

* 84th-ranked prospect in Florida by SuperPrep

* PrepStar Honorable Mention All-Southeast Region

* Played under Coach Sean Callahan

* Armwood also produced current Panther Joe Stephens, a redshirt freshman receiver

Zach Schlundt, OL, 6-4, 290, Charlotte Harbor, Fla., Charlotte H.S.

* First team All-Florida

* All-Southwest Florida

* 2½-year starter on the offensive line

* Invited to play in the Florida vs. California All-Star Game

* Helped team to Charlotte County championships his junior and senior seasons and three straight playoff berths

* Also a track and field standout, Schlundt was a state qualifier in the shot put in 2001

* Listed among the nation's top 100 offensive linemen by Student Sports

* PrepStar Honorable Mention All-Southeast Region

* Played under Coach Binky Waldrop

John Simonitis, OL, 6-3, 290, Wyoming, Pa., Dallas H.S.

* Two-time member of The Associated Press Big School All-State Team

* Two-time first team All-Wyoming Valley Conference

* Three-year starter at defensive tackle and two-year starter at offensive guard

* Did not play football until his sophomore year in high school

* Led Dallas to a 26-9 record during his three-year career, including state playoff berths each season

* Also an All-Conference honoree and three-year starter in basketball

* Named the MVP of the 2001 Wyoming Valley Christmas Basketball Classic

* 18th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* Listed among the nation's top 100 offensive linemen by Student Sports

* Listed among the nation's top 75 offensive guard prospects by Rivals100.com

* Played under Coach Ted Jackson

Neal Tracey, OL, 6-3, 290, North Scituate, R.I., Ponaganset H.S.

* Two-time All-Rhode Island

* Two-time first team All-Division

* Three-year starter and four-year letterman

* Team's leading tackler as a senior with 51 solo stops

* Led team to the state semifinals as a senior

* Fourth-ranked prospect in the New England region by SuperPrep

* PrepStar Honorable Mention All-Eastern Region

* Top 100 national offensive line prospect by Rivals100.com, Student Sports and Max Emfinger

* Played under Coach Chris Branch

Larry Tumblin, LB, 6-4, 235, Elyria, Ohio, Oberlin H.S.

* First team All-District and All-Lorain County Conference

* Honorable Mention All-Ohio

* Three-year starter and four-year letterman

* Had over 300 career tackles in three seasons a starting linebacker

* Offensively, played tight end, offensive tackle and fullback during his varsity career

* Rushed for over 500 yards in his lone starting season at fullback

* PrepStar All-Midwest Region

* Played under Coach Bill Roniger

Jawan Walker, RB, 5-10, 190, Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep

* The Associated Press Big School All-State Team (first team)

* Three-time first team All-Erie Metro

* 2001 MVP of the Allegheny Football Conference

* Set an Erie County record with 4,864 career rushing yards

* Averaged 8.0 yards per carry for his career on 605 attempts

* Set Cathedral Prep career records for rushing yards, touchdowns (72) and points (432)

* As a senior, rushed for 2,429 yards and 33 touchdowns

* Also had 13 receptions for 203 yards (15.6 avg.) and a touchdown

* Set a Cathedral Prep single-game record with 337 rushing yards versus Bishop Timon

* In the District 10 championship game versus Erie McDowell, rushed for 256 yards and five touchdowns in the first half alone

* Four-year starter at Cathedral Prep and was a two-way starter his final three seasons (running back and free safety)

* In his first career varsity start (at safety) as a freshman, had three interceptions versus Erie McDowell

* Led Cathedral Prep to a 9-3 record and the state quarterfinals as a senior

* His junior season, helped team to a 14-0 mark and the Pennsylvania Class AAAA championship

* The 2000 team finished the year 14-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country by ESPN and No. 4 by USA Today

* In the 2000 state championship game against Central Bucks West, Walker rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries (15.0 avg.) and collected 13 tackles

* 26th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep

* PrepStar All-Eastern Region

* Joins fellow Erie Cathedral Prep products in linebacker Joe Dipre, offensive lineman Dale Williams and long snapper Jon Sitter at Pittsburgh

* Played under Coach Mike Mischler