The PG HS guru Mike White was on Stan Savran's show yesterday and they were talking about this. White indicated it is almost inexplicable why? People point to a drop in population, but like he said, that pretty much occurred from the 70's/early 80's to the early 2000's. It has really stabilized.
But this year, so far 12 WPIAL-City kids have signed with FBS schools (Division 1). 6 of them with P5 schools. Our all time low was 2013 with 19 FBS level players. It doesn't explain that say in 2000, there was 31 kids who signed in the FBS, and 19 of them P5. Or back in the 1980 time frame when those numbers were close to 50.
But again Savran was asking Mike White "why?" and while football players overall are down, the same number of scholarships are being given out as there were 25-30 years ago (actually there are more D1 teams now so they are more) and White really struggled and frankly was bewildered why here, where football is supposed to be that important, is not producing. As he said, Ohio faces the same demographics, and they are still producing more players than PA and especially Western PA.
This is why Narduzzi and staff have correctly recognized this and is spending most of its time and efforts out of state. It is also our biggest drawback. We get 33% of the local P5 recruits now, that is 2-3 players, 20 years ago it was 6-7 players. 40 years ago it was like 11-13 players.
Caveat. I hope this is viewed as an informative post and not a negative post!!!!
But I think (and this is a positive), that Pitt being in the ACC is better for us than being in the Big 10 because at least we have a conduit, a geographical connection to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. So I believe being in the ACC, especially the Coastal, so families know they will have at least driveable games every year.
It was interesting, again when White was pressed by Savran he said, "I don't know, I can't understand". As he said the main population drop happened 30-40 years ago, concussions have something to do with it, but honestly that would apply nationwide not just here. But he was truly bewildered and resigned to the plight of local high school football. Like he said, in those traditional football towns, the crowds are still there, but in many areas, it is really down. The WPIAL, I know next year I think top end wise the talent is up, but I am not sure how deep the class is? I wonder if Chris or Jim can put a post out to highlight potential 2021 P5 level players.
The interview ended with, Savran asking Mike White if high school football is as important to communities as it was in the past. He hesitated, his answer...."no."
But this year, so far 12 WPIAL-City kids have signed with FBS schools (Division 1). 6 of them with P5 schools. Our all time low was 2013 with 19 FBS level players. It doesn't explain that say in 2000, there was 31 kids who signed in the FBS, and 19 of them P5. Or back in the 1980 time frame when those numbers were close to 50.
But again Savran was asking Mike White "why?" and while football players overall are down, the same number of scholarships are being given out as there were 25-30 years ago (actually there are more D1 teams now so they are more) and White really struggled and frankly was bewildered why here, where football is supposed to be that important, is not producing. As he said, Ohio faces the same demographics, and they are still producing more players than PA and especially Western PA.
This is why Narduzzi and staff have correctly recognized this and is spending most of its time and efforts out of state. It is also our biggest drawback. We get 33% of the local P5 recruits now, that is 2-3 players, 20 years ago it was 6-7 players. 40 years ago it was like 11-13 players.
Caveat. I hope this is viewed as an informative post and not a negative post!!!!
But I think (and this is a positive), that Pitt being in the ACC is better for us than being in the Big 10 because at least we have a conduit, a geographical connection to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. So I believe being in the ACC, especially the Coastal, so families know they will have at least driveable games every year.
It was interesting, again when White was pressed by Savran he said, "I don't know, I can't understand". As he said the main population drop happened 30-40 years ago, concussions have something to do with it, but honestly that would apply nationwide not just here. But he was truly bewildered and resigned to the plight of local high school football. Like he said, in those traditional football towns, the crowds are still there, but in many areas, it is really down. The WPIAL, I know next year I think top end wise the talent is up, but I am not sure how deep the class is? I wonder if Chris or Jim can put a post out to highlight potential 2021 P5 level players.
The interview ended with, Savran asking Mike White if high school football is as important to communities as it was in the past. He hesitated, his answer...."no."
