Pennsylvania’s Top 25 Players
By Chris Dokish
It is well known that the vast majority of player evaluations from college programs take place via videotape and not the spring and summer combines, though the latter has been known to pique an interest in a kid from a coaching staff. Because of that, the recruitment of the top prospects are already well underway. Over the spring and summer, the recruitment of the elite Pennsylvania players will span out more nationally with schools like USC and the Florida schools possibly becoming involved with a few of the top players.
But until then, it is mostly programs from the Northeast and Midwest getting first dibs on PA players. And since a vast majority of players stay close to home, it’s a good bet that most of the top prospects have already been in contact with the teams they will eventually sign with. In some cases, that may be very soon, as verbal commitments now routinely happen in the spring or summer before a player starts his senior season. And while a lot is made of de-commitments, the truth is, they take place only a small percentage of the time.
With that mind, Keystone Recruiting has compiled an initial list of the top players in the state. Where the schools stand with these players could go a long way in securing their services in the future. The rankings can obviously change a lot during the season as some players progress more than others, but the top dozen or dozen and a half should remain at or near the top all season. After that, there will be a lot more jostling all the way to our first top 50 this summer.
1. PAT BOSTICK, QB: Manheim Twp. HS (Lancaster) – The 6’3” 215 pound QB was projected as the top player in the state last year for this class and nothing has happened since to change that. Pittsburgh, Louisville, UConn, Maryland, Mississippi, and Georgia have offered, and Michigan and Iowa have scheduled trips for him to visit in May. Alabama has also expressed a lot of interest lately. But the strong-armed Bostick, one of the best dozen QBs in the country, has had Pitt as a solid leader for some time now. A late spring or early summer verbal announcement may be in the cards.
2. TONEY CLEMONS, WR: Valley HS (New Kensington) - The 6’3” 185 pound receiver is poetry in motion when going up for a pass. Pitt, who has offered, has put on a full-court press to see that he does it for the Panthers. Ole Miss, UConn and Akron have also offered, and Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Florida, Florida State and Miami are among others that are interested.
3. JON DITTO, TE/WR: Gateway HS (Monroeville) - How big is the race for Ditto? So big that the 6’3 ½” 210 pound wide receiver/tight end already has 16 offers. Included in that list are Penn State, Pittsburgh, Louisville, UCLA, Tennessee, Virginia, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Michigan State, Mississippi, and South Carolina. And the list will only get bigger as his stock is rising every week. While Ditto hasn’t even thought about narrowing his list yet, Penn State and Pitt could be the two biggest contenders. Gateway head coach Terry Smith thinks Florida, Ohio State, and Notre Dame could also be major contenders.
4. STEFAN WISNIEWSKI, OL: Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS (Pittsburgh) - The best lineman in the state and the 6’3” 270 pound guard has the offers to prove it: thirteen as of now with Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Michigan, Rutgers, Northwestern, Boston College, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Akron, Clemson, and North Carolina State throwing their hats into the ring early. Florida and Notre Dame are also very interested. If Notre Dame offers, they will join current favorites Penn State, Michigan, Boston College and Stanford. Michigan is coming on strong.
5. STEVE PASKORZ, LB/RB: Hampton HS (Pittsburgh) - One of the more well known players in the state after a record setting sophomore season, the 6’1” 220 pound Paskorz lives up to his hype with eight early offers - Pittsburgh, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Mississippi, Indiana, Vanderbilt and Temple. The hometown Panthers are promising him a shot at running back first, as are Indiana and Temple. Michigan wants him as an H-Back, while the rest want him as a linebacker. USC, Texas, Stanford, and Clemson have also expressed a lot of early interest. Pittsburgh may be the favorite since he is thinking of staying close to home, and Penn State has been slow to show a lot of interest.
6. NATHAN STUPAR, LB: State College HS (State College) - The 6’2” 220 pound linebacker is easily the best purely defensive player in the state. Stupar has offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Virginia, Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, and Arizona State. However, Penn State and West Virginia have recently told him that he is versatile enough to play on offense, too, with the Nittany Lions even mentioning that he could end up in the backfield. On defense, Penn State flirted with taking Stupar as a defensive end but now have changed their mind and would play him at linebacker (if they keep him on defense). Notre Dame, Stanford, Miami, and Florida State are some other big time schools that are highly interested.
7. JOSH MARKS, OL: Southern Columbia HS (Catawissa) - At 6’5” and 305 pounds, Marks already has college size. Early offers have come from Pittsburgh, Penn State, West Virginia, Rutgers, and Temple. West Virginia wants him as a defensive tackle; Penn State wants him to lose ten pounds and move to guard; the others want him at offensive tackle. Marks says that Pitt is currently running neck and neck with the Nittany Lions for his services. Michigan, Ohio State, Clemson, UCLA, and Purdue are just some of the other top programs that are highly interested but it will probably come down to Penn State or Pitt.
8. ANDREW DEVLIN, OL: Mt. Lebanon HS (Mt. Lebanon) - The highly athletic Devlin is also an excellent basketball player at 6’5” 255 pounds, and that’s why top colleges dream of turning the high school tight end into a top left tackle. Pittsburgh, Stanford, Rutgers, Akron, Iowa, UConn, Indiana, Virginia, and Maryland are in with early offers, but expect that list to grow. Ohio State, Michigan State and Boston College are also highly involved. The hometown Panthers may be hard to beat, though.
9. NICK SUKAY, WR: Greensburg Central Catholic (Greensburg) - One of the biggest surprises early has been the emergence of the 6’3” 200 pound Sukay, who most are recruiting as a wide receiver. While it was always known that he a good prospect, the fact that he has 13 offers at this early stage is somewhat unexpected. Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Rutgers, Northwestern, and West Virginia are among those early offers. Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Auburn are some other big time schools that are involved. Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Ohio State loom as the probable favorites, but since the Panthers are the only of three to offer, they have to be considered in the driver’s seat at this early stage.
10. EVAN BLANKENSHIP, OG: Center HS (Monaca) - At 6’3” and 310 pounds, this massive guard already holds offers from Pittsburgh and Ohio State. He disputes reports that Ohio State has a slight lead and says the Panthers are recruiting him harder than anybody. Clemson and Michigan are also making a push, but it will probably come down to the Panthers and the Buckeyes.
11. CHRIS JACOBSON, OG: Keystone Oaks HS (Pittsburgh) - The nasty 6’3” 290 pound guard won’t be getting a lot of offers this year. In fact he may only get one. But don’t think it’s not because he isn’t an excellent prospect. The only offer he received was the only offer he wanted, and he rewarded Pittsburgh by immediately giving a verbal commitment. He is considered such a strong commitment to the Panthers that most colleges will not even try to dissuade him.
12. DAN MATHA, OT: Erie McDowell HS (Erie) - The 6’7” 310 pound giant is a prototypical big, tough right tackle; Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Maryland are the first three schools to offer. Penn State, Iowa, Notre Dame and Virginia are also showing a lot of interest. Matha currently lists Pittsburgh, Penn State, West Virginia, Iowa and Virginia as his five favorites.
13. MYLES CARAGEIN, DL: Keystone Oaks HS (Pittsburgh) - One of the most intriguing prospects in this class may be the 6’3” 260 pound defensive lineman. Caragein could be this year’s John Malecki and explode physically into a top defensive tackle like Malecki did last year. A national champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Caragein has the leverage skills to go with his obvious physical skills. And when wrestling ends, many coaches think Caragein may explode into a 290-300 pound force of nature. Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Indiana, Northwestern, Temple, Miami (Oh) and Akron have already offered. Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan are heavily involved.
14. RICHARD MULDROW, OT: William Penn HS (York) - The two best things that a left tackle can possess are quick feet and a big wingspan. At 6’8” and 295 pounds, Muldrow possesses both. West Virginia, Maryland, Rutgers, Boston College, and Vanderbilt have offered and Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Iowa are highly interested. Right now Muldrow is wide open.
15. MAURICE WILLIAMS, ATH: Erie Strong Vincent HS (Erie) - One of the better athletes in the state, the rangy 6’3” 190 Williams has great athletic ability and top notch speed. While he is playing quarterback for Strong Vincent, most project him as a receiver. Pittsburgh, Maryland, and Syracuse have offered him at that position while West Virginia is considering him for QB as well as WR. Penn State, Virginia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas State, Clemson, UConn, and Georgia Tech are heavily involved. Pittsburgh and West Virginia are the current favorites.
16. SHAMAAR COATES, ATH: Williamsport HS (Williamsport) - Speed is the name of the game for the 6’0” 170 pound Coates, who can flat out fly. He is also an excellent baseball player and could get drafted in that sport. Penn State is his favorite but other big time programs like Michigan and Pittsburgh are courting him as well.
17. CHRIS WHITNEY, QB: St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) - The 6’3” 215 pound quarterback is the total package, possessing both a strong arm and very good running ability. Rutgers is his lone offer now but his recruitment should take off over the summer. Other top programs interested include Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Notre Dame, and Stanford.
18. HENRY HYNOSKI, FB: Southern Columbia HS (Catawissa) - One of the best fullbacks in the country, the 6’2” 245 pound bruiser already has offers from Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Temple with more on the way. Penn State wants to see what kind of receiving skills he possesses, while Iowa and Ohio State both have him No. 1 on their fullback list. Pittsburgh is the current leader of those that have offered, but more offers—especially if one comes from Penn State—could change things.
19. JARED WILLIAMS, CB: Perry Traditional Academy (Pittsburgh) - Williams is the total package at cornerback at a muscular 5’9 ½” and 190 pounds, with top level speed and athleticism. He is also an excellent return man with game-breaking ability. Pittsburgh was the first to offer and is the current leader, but Ohio State, Iowa, Virginia, Michigan, and Virginia Tech are just some of the big programs involved.
20. DARYL ROBINSON, ATH: Northeast Catholic HS (Philadelphia) - Leaner than Williams at 5’10” and 170 pounds but just as athletic. West Virginia and UConn have offered, with Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Notre Dame also interested. The Mountaineers are the strong favorite at this point.
21. BRANDON LINDSEY, LB: Aliquippa HS (Aliquippa) – Lindsey plays nose tackle and fullback for the Quips, but at 6’2” and 220 pounds he projects as a linebacker at the next level. That’s where Pittsburgh offered him, and the Panthers are the favorites for his services. Others showing a lot of interest are Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, West Virginia, Virginia, and N.C. State.
22. GINO GRADKOWSKI, OG: Seton-LaSalle HS (Pittsburgh) - One of the top lineman in the state, Gradkowski is a tough as nails 6’3” 285 pound offensive guard. Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Toledo, and Miami of Ohio have offered and Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Clemson are showing a lot of interest. A huge fan of the Big 10 and a big fan of West Virginia, Gradkowski has been a visitor to West Virginia’s spring practices several times over the past few weeks. Pittsburgh is trying to hang in there.
23. DOM DECICCO, ATH: Thomas Jefferson HS (Jefferson Hills) – A superb athlete at 6’3 ½” and 200 pounds, DeCicco is being recruited as a receiver and a linebacker. Very good speed and great jumping ability. One of the more under recruited players in the country so far, with only Pittsburgh and Indiana offering. TJ head coach Bill Cherpak tells Keystone Recruiting that DeCicco will be visiting Iowa next week and possibly stopping at Notre Dame on the way back. He also plans to visit Michigan, Syracuse, Tennessee, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State, West Virginia, Virginia and possibly Arizona State, with whom he has been in daily contact.
24. BRAD HALLICK, OT: Pottsville HS (Pottsville) - Big tackles are at a premium and Hallick already has major college size at 6’6” and 290 pounds. Virginia, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt were the first three schools to throw their hats in the ring with offers, but Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Northwestern are interested, too.
25. DEREK MOYE, WR: Rochester Area HS (Rochester) - Height is not a problem for the 6’6” wide receiver, but his weight of 180 pounds may be. That’s why the athletic and rangy Moye is trying to add weight to his thin frame. Once he does, his recruiting could skyrocket. Pitt is his lone offer now but Penn State, Boston College, and Iowa are showing a lot of interest.
