As Hamlin and Hudson consider leaving the state, I can only think of a few players that had good careers outside the state.
Sweat from OSU
Walls from ND (I think)
Pryor
Sweat from OSU
Walls from ND (I think)
Pryor
List of local players who had good college careers outside PA?
- Thread starter Sean Miller Fan
- Start date
Breaston at Michigan. Not going to count Gronk. The two DB's at Michigan State are having decent careers. But the failures have far outweighed those who have actually made an impact.
Facts are most in state talent ends up at Pitt or Penn St. When you look back you realize how few years there were that had that much actual talent. We over hype the WPIAL but it's what we've got, so you have to ride it.
Shawn Oakman
Jayson Taylor
Mark Bulger
Joe Flacco (He's no Tyler Palko)
Luke Getsy (Looked great at Akron, got drafted)
Shariff Floyd
Andre Williams
Steve Slayton
Chad Henne
Ryan Mundy
Matt Ryan
Jason Cappizzi (Transferred out, couldn't play at Pitt, just in the NFL)
Will Fuller (All American at ND)
Josh Adams (Looked like an All American against Pitt)
Shawn Oakman
Jayson Taylor
Mark Bulger
Joe Flacco (He's no Tyler Palko)
Luke Getsy (Looked great at Akron, got drafted)
Shariff Floyd
Andre Williams
Steve Slayton
Chad Henne
Ryan Mundy
Matt Ryan
Jason Cappizzi (Transferred out, couldn't play at Pitt, just in the NFL)
Will Fuller (All American at ND)
Josh Adams (Looked like an All American against Pitt)
Last edited:
How bout the two kids from McKeesport that went to texas tech. Simmons was one (at USC), the OLB tha went with him actually had a good year or two at DE.. The wash high running back did ok at ND about 6 -7 years ago.. Moses (think im spelling his name wrong) was an OL at WVU from Wash high.. Going back awhile but Logan at WVU.. The White LB from Bethel Park is going to get drafted for WVU too, although I don't think pitt recruited him..
Nichols at tosu, tight end.. Also didn't some Jeannette player get a schollie at tosu with Pryor, ended up being a good rb for them too.. Since i saw his face 240 times last night on tv, can we count Jim Kelly? Johnny U? Montana?
Nichols at tosu, tight end.. Also didn't some Jeannette player get a schollie at tosu with Pryor, ended up being a good rb for them too.. Since i saw his face 240 times last night on tv, can we count Jim Kelly? Johnny U? Montana?
We don't need to look in the Smithsonian, okay? How about the last decade or so.
Ty Law can be added to that list. Tony Clemons went to Colorado. Darrin Walls went to Notre Dame. I don't know if you want to add Gradkowski and Batch to it or not.
Last edited:
Ok. Makes sense. I found this article from Panther's Prey in 2013 kind of interesting.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Elite WPIAL prospects have generally been better off at Pitt
Looking at WPIAL 4 and 5 star prospects, according to Rivals and Scout, from 2002-2011, to determine their success rate at Pittsburgh, Penn State, and for out of state.
OUT OF STATE
*Steve Breaston, Michigan (Woodland Hills 2002)- 156 catches and one of the best return men ever in major college football, so it's safe to say that he was a huge success.
*Ryan Mundy, Michigan (Woodland Hills 2003)- He was never a star, but at least he started two seasons, the last one at WVU where he transferred as a fifth year senior. We'll call him a minor success though he clearly did not live up to his expectations.
Travis Thomas, Notre Dame (Washington 2003)- Ran for 409 yards as a running back and started one year at linebacker where he was tenth in tackles. He can't really be called a success.
Kevin McCabe, Virginia (Pine-Richland 2003)- Played very sparingly before transferring to California (PA) in his last season.
Rory Nicol, Ohio State (Beaver, 2004)- 38 catches in his career.
Devon Lyons, Ohio State (Woodland Hills, 2004)- 2 career catches then transferred to WVU where he quit before playing a down.
Andrew Johnson, Miami (North Hills, 2004)- Played three seasons at Miami before transferring to Akron. He ran for a total of 450 yards in his career.
Chris Rogers, Michigan (North Allegheny 2004)- Transferred after one season to Penn State and never had much of a career.
*Darrin Walls, Notre Dame (2006)- He left one year for personal reasons and he never became a star but he did start for two years so we will call him a minor success.
*Rob Gronkowski, Arizona (Woodland Hills 2007)- He was only a WPIAL kid for a year since he moved from Buffalo to play in the area, so he really wasn't your normal WPIAL kid, but he did become all-conference and was considered one of the better tight ends in the country.
Toney Clemons, Michigan (Valley 2007)- Had a decent career after he transferred to Colorado after his freshman season, but the for the sake of this study you have to say he was not a success because he transferred from the school he originally left the area for.
Steve Paskorz, Notre Dame (Hampton 2007)- Career backup.
Andrew Devlin, Virginia (Mt. Lebanon 2007)- Transferred to Pitt.
*Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State (Jeannette 2008)- Things got ugly for him, and he never lived up to his huge expectations, but he was also the runner up to Denard Robinson as Big 10 player of the year. Technically on the field he did enough to be called a success, and for the sake of this story we'll call him that, but it many ways you can also say he failed.
*Andrew Sweat, Ohio State (Trinity 2008)- Never was a star but he started and was second team all-conference as a senior so he was a minor success on the field.
Christian Wilson, North Carolina (Montour 2008)- 22 career catches as a tight end.
Kaleb Ramsey, Boston College (Laurel Highlands 2008)- Played six seasons but only accumulated 62 total tackles.
Dorian Bell, Ohio State (Gateway 2009)- He got suspended at Ohio State and ended up at Duquesne.
Corey Brown, Ohio State (Gateway 2009)- May start as a fifth year senior but has been a reserve throughout his career.
*Jordan Hall, Ohio State (Jeanette 2009)- Ran for just 1,032 yards in his career but got a fifth year due to injuries and he's expected to be the slotback. His top season was only 405 yards rushing but I'll add in his return skills and call him a success.
Ken Wilkins, Michigan (Trinity 2010)- Transferred after his redshirt sophomore season. He did not play a single down.
Cullen Christian, Michigan (Penn Hills 2010)- Transferred to Pitt.
Delvon Simmons, Texas Tech (McKeesport 2011)- He just transferred to USC so he could still turn out to be a very good player, but so far he has started one season and had 27 tackles in that season.
Total: 23
Success: 7
Ratio: 30%
PENN STATE
Mark Farris (North Hills 2002)- Rarely played at all.
Brian Borgoyn (Woodland Hills 2002)- Career ended before it started because of an injury.
*Paul Posluszny, Penn State (Hopewell 2003)- Went down as one of the better linebackers in college football history.
*Anthony Morelli (Penn Hills 2004)- Though he was a major disappointment, because of his 5,275 passing yards over his last two seasons, I will call him a success for the sake of this article.
*A.Q. Shipley (Moon 2004)- All-American and Rimington Award winner.
*Tyrell Sales (Butler 2004)- Two year starter.
*Justin King (Gateway 2005)- Didn't live up to the huge expectations for him but he was a two year starter for leaving for the NFL after his junior year.
*Stefen Wisniewski (Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2007)- Three year starter, all-coference, and had some All-American recognition.
*Nick Sukay (Greensburg Central Catholic 2007)- Two year starter.
Jon Ditto (Gateway 2007)- Played little and transferred to IUP.
*Derek Moye (Rochester 2007)- Ended his career with 2,395 receiving yards.
Mike Yancich (Trinity 2008)- Career reserve and special teams player.
*Miles Dieffenbach (Fox Chapel 2010)- As a redshirt junior this season he is starting for the second year.
Mike Hull (Canon McMillan 2010)- There is a lot of talk from Penn State that he will break through in this, his redshirt junior season, but he hasn't started yet so for now he will not be considered a success.
Paul Jones (Sto- Rox 2010)- Transferred to Robert Morris.
Tom Ricketts (North Allegheny 2010)- Transferred to Pitt then left after a year.
Total: 16
Success: 9
Ratio: 56%
PITTSBURGH
*Tyler Palko (West Allegheny 2002)- Three year started who threw for over 8,300 yards in his career.
Steve Buches (Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2002)- 52 career receptions at tight end.
Craig Bokor (Hopewell 2005)- Played sparingly.
*Dorin Dickerson (West Allegheny 2006)- Bounced around at different positions until as a senior he became an All-American tight end.
*John Malecki (Franklin Regional 2006)- Never a star but lettered for four years and started the last two years on the offensive line.
Aaron Smith (Gateway 2006)- Career reserve.
Elijah Fields (Duquesne 2006)- Started as a junior then was kicked off the team before senior season.
*Jason Pinkston (Baldwin 2006)- Three year starter, all-conference, and some All-American recognition as a senior.
Nate Nix (Thomas Jefferson 2006)- Career reserve and special teams player.
*Chris Jacobson (Keystone Oaks 2007)- He wasn't a huge star but he was a three year starter.
*Brandon Lindsey (Aliquippa 2007)- Two year starter and all-conference player.
*Dom DeCicco (Thomas Jefferson 2007)- Three year starter and all-conference player.
*Myles Caragein (Keystone Oaks 2007)- two year starter and amassed 74 tackles in those two seasons.
*Jonathan Baldwin (Aliquippa 2008)- Left to become first round pick after junior season but before that he was a two year starter and amassed 1,902 receiving yards in those two seasons.
Cameron Saddler (Gateway 2008)- Played mostly as a reserve and as a return man.
*Lucas Nix (Thomas Jefferson 2008)- Never became a big star but he was a three year starter
Shayne Hale (Gateway 2008)- Performed well at the end of his career but was mostly a reserve.
*Dan Mason (Penn Hills 2009)- Two year starter that never lived up expectations due to major issues.
*Todd Thomas (Beaver Falls 2009)- Only a redshirt junior because of an injury redshirt and a prep school season, but he's considered the best linebacker on the team and a potential star. Will start his second season this year.
*Tyrone Ezell (2009)- Has 39 tackles as a giant defensive lineman and will be a two year starter and a four year letterman after this season.
*Aaron Donald (Penn Hills 2010)- All-conference and an All-American candidate. Considered one of the best defensive lineman in the country.
Total: 21
Success: 14
Ratio: 67%
There are just so many things that factor into a kids success. His attitude and way he approaches his work. Can he be away from home? Consistency of the systems and style of play. Ultimately, do they have a high ceiling.
I mean, in recent years we were all a little down when Pitt "lost out" on kids like Skyler Morningweg, Shai McKenzie, Robert Foster and dear god... Chase Winovich.. people were torn up over Chase Winovich who can't even make the depth chart at his position.
No one hits 100%. No one can predict the injury, the sleeper, the flameout or the shooting star with absolute certainty. That's why every signing day is like the beginning of Spring Training in Baseball. Hope springs eternal.
If these kids need to look at anything, they can look at the record Narduzzi has amassed, the pro's he's built, the way he carries himself, the change in this program from the second he got here, the committment Pitt is making to winning and they will see that the missing ingredient could be them. The next 5 or 6 years should be great!
I mean, in recent years we were all a little down when Pitt "lost out" on kids like Skyler Morningweg, Shai McKenzie, Robert Foster and dear god... Chase Winovich.. people were torn up over Chase Winovich who can't even make the depth chart at his position.
No one hits 100%. No one can predict the injury, the sleeper, the flameout or the shooting star with absolute certainty. That's why every signing day is like the beginning of Spring Training in Baseball. Hope springs eternal.
If these kids need to look at anything, they can look at the record Narduzzi has amassed, the pro's he's built, the way he carries himself, the change in this program from the second he got here, the committment Pitt is making to winning and they will see that the missing ingredient could be them. The next 5 or 6 years should be great!
Barry Church and Donny Barclay
Both bypassed Pitt and both (Church still starting for Dallas) had solid NFL careers.
Both bypassed Pitt and both (Church still starting for Dallas) had solid NFL careers.
Barclay - Yes, his uncle played for WV
Church - No, he ended up at Toledo and we made a mistake not going after him hard.
I apologize if these players were previously mentioned, but an Old School player is Johnny Unitas who did fairly well after leaving the area.
More recently, Mike Caputo (West Allegheny) has kicked butt at Wisky.
More recently, Mike Caputo (West Allegheny) has kicked butt at Wisky.
good call with Caputo.. still mad at UP#1 for letting him out of Imperial. Watched him play a few times, that Russell Shell vs Caputo game at Heinz was incredible. Caputo just looked mad, played mad every play. He'd run the ball and hit the defender, looked like he actually ran towards contact..
Good point. Caputo is one of those guys whom Pitt fans would've loved.
Pitt wanted Unitas, and he wanted to come, but he couldn't get into school. Pitt was a small private school back then, and fairly elite at that. After the brainiacs deemphasized football, Pitt couldn't get borderline students into school anymore.
Listed below is a roster of former WPIAL players emailed to me from a friend a few weeks ago that might help account for players. Thought I'd provide it as a means of identifying players, not a success vs non-success, offering. This goes back around 5 years I believe. BTW.... another means of identifying some players are the NFL rosters. A handful below. There are more.
1) Illinois - T.J. Neal - McKeesport - Starting linebacker - Junior
2) Maryland - CJ Brown - Seneca Valley - Starting QB - Junior
3) Maryland - Anthony Nix - Central Catholic - Starting Safety - Junior
4) Maryland - Quentin Jefferson Woodland Hills - Starting DE - Junior
5) Mich St. - Montae Nicholson - Gateway - Starting Safety - Freshman
6) Mich St.- Demetrious Cox - Jeannette - Backup Safety - RS Soph
7) Wisconsin - Mike Caputo - West Allegheny - Starting Safety - Senior
8) Wisconsin - Arthur Goldberg - Mt. Lebanon - Starting DE rs Junior
9) USC - Delvin Simmons - McKeesport - Starting DE - rs Junior
10) Texas Tech -Brandon Jackson - McKeesport - Starting DE
11) Florida State - J.. J. Consentino - Central Catholic - 3rd String QB
12) Alabama - Robert Foster - Central Valley - Backup WR
13) West Va - Dravon Henry - Aliquippa - Starting Safety - Freshman
14) West Va - Rushel Shell - Hopewell - Starting RB - RS Junior
15) Syracuse - Sean Hickey - Gateway - Starting Tackle - Sr.
16) Michigan - Pat Kugler - North Allegheny - Backup Center Jr.
17) Michigan - Winovich - Thomas Jefferson - LB - RS Freshman?
18) V-Tech - Shai McKenzie - Washington H.S. - RB - Sophomore
19) PSU - Sterling Jenkins - Baldwin H.S. OL - RS Freshman
20) WVU - Nick Kwiatkoski - Bethel Park - Starting ILB - RS SR
Kaleb Ramsey
Stefen Wisniewski
Darrin Walls
Terrelle Pryor
Gino Gradkowski
Will Clarke
Barry Church
1) Illinois - T.J. Neal - McKeesport - Starting linebacker - Junior
2) Maryland - CJ Brown - Seneca Valley - Starting QB - Junior
3) Maryland - Anthony Nix - Central Catholic - Starting Safety - Junior
4) Maryland - Quentin Jefferson Woodland Hills - Starting DE - Junior
5) Mich St. - Montae Nicholson - Gateway - Starting Safety - Freshman
6) Mich St.- Demetrious Cox - Jeannette - Backup Safety - RS Soph
7) Wisconsin - Mike Caputo - West Allegheny - Starting Safety - Senior
8) Wisconsin - Arthur Goldberg - Mt. Lebanon - Starting DE rs Junior
9) USC - Delvin Simmons - McKeesport - Starting DE - rs Junior
10) Texas Tech -Brandon Jackson - McKeesport - Starting DE
11) Florida State - J.. J. Consentino - Central Catholic - 3rd String QB
12) Alabama - Robert Foster - Central Valley - Backup WR
13) West Va - Dravon Henry - Aliquippa - Starting Safety - Freshman
14) West Va - Rushel Shell - Hopewell - Starting RB - RS Junior
15) Syracuse - Sean Hickey - Gateway - Starting Tackle - Sr.
16) Michigan - Pat Kugler - North Allegheny - Backup Center Jr.
17) Michigan - Winovich - Thomas Jefferson - LB - RS Freshman?
18) V-Tech - Shai McKenzie - Washington H.S. - RB - Sophomore
19) PSU - Sterling Jenkins - Baldwin H.S. OL - RS Freshman
20) WVU - Nick Kwiatkoski - Bethel Park - Starting ILB - RS SR
Kaleb Ramsey
Stefen Wisniewski
Darrin Walls
Terrelle Pryor
Gino Gradkowski
Will Clarke
Barry Church
Last edited:
Similar threads
