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Friday, August 27, 1999 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The top prospects across the Commonwealth as the new high school football season readies for liftoff:
1. Jeff Smoker
QB 6-3, 198, MANHEIM CENTRAL
Scouting services rank him among the top five quarterbacks in the country. A starter since his sophomore year, Smoker has a good arm and pinpoint accuracy. He completed 64 percent of his passes for close to 2,000 yards last season against Class AAA competition. Shocked many in July when he announced he would attend Michigan State. Chose the Spartans over Ohio State, Michigan, North Carolina and Kentucky.
2. Dustin Picciotti
FB-LB 6-3, 245, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Super Prep magazine ranks him the No. 1 fullback in the country. Led team to PIAA Class AAAA championship last year. Rushed for 1,969 yards on 277 carries and had 236 yards rushing in state title game. Started on defense as a sophomore. Team is 30-0 in his two years as a starter. Had offers from schools across the country by mid-summer. Michigan, Penn State, Syracuse, Ohio State and Wisconsin all want him. He hopes to play fullback in college.
3. Chris McKelvy
OL 6-4, 295, NORTH PENN
Runs the 40 in 5.1 seconds. Has played offensive tackle for North Penn, but will probably be a guard this season. Was an excellent swimmer until ninth grade when he gave up the sport to concentrate on football. Also plays defense for North Penn. Has made oral commitment to Penn State. Had offers from dozens of schools. Chose Penn State over Florida State and Nebraska. A good student with 3.6 grade-point average.
4. Nick Marmo
OL-DL 6-6, 309, NEW CASTLE
Considered the No. 1 college prospect in Western Pennsylvania. Ranked among the top 50 players in the country by Street & Smith's magazine. Most scouting services rank him among the top 10 offensive linemen in the country. Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selection as a junior. Also plays defensive tackle. Made oral commitment to Penn State in July. Chose the Nittany Lions over Pitt, Ohio State and Michigan.
5. Tony Johnson
RB 6-0, 195, STATE COLLEGE
Super Prep ranks him No. 8 running back in the country. Rushed for 1,620 yards on 195 carries as a junior. Runs a 4.45 40. Brother Larry Jr. is a freshman running back at Penn State. His father, Larry Sr., is a Penn State assistant. Has offers from Penn State, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, West Virginia and others. Despite family ties, Tony says he is not a lock for Penn State.
6. Mark Jones
WR-DB 5-9, 170, STRATH HAVEN
A speedster who is an excellent kick returner. Will also play some at running back. Has run a 4.4 40. Caught 26 passes as a junior. Made August commitment to Tennessee, choosing Volunteers over Michigan, Purdue, Penn State and others. Has been a starter in football, basketball and track since his freshman year. Hopes to play receiver in college.
7. Jesse Neumyer
LB-QB 6-1, 210, CUMBERLAND VALLEY
Made oral commitment to Penn State in June. Did not play last season because of a torn ACL in his knee, but is fully recovered. Played basketball last season, which convinced some schools he was recovered from injury. Ohio State, Boston College, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pitt were some of the other schools he considered. Will also play quarterback this season. A 4.0 student.
8. B.J. Evangelista
FB-OL-LB 6-2, 260, FRANKLIN REGIONAL
Played fullback and linebacker last season, but may be tried on the offensive line this season. Excellent blocking fullback who rushed for 270 yards on 41 carries last season. Had 44 tackles and 29 assists. Made commitment to Penn State in February. A number of other colleges were interested, but Penn State was first to offer, and Evangelista had always wanted to play for Penn State. Unsure of what position he will play in college.
9. Nick Sebes
QB-DB 6-0, 180, MOUNT CARMEL
As a junior, was Associated Press state player of the year in the small school division (Class AA and A). Rushed for 935 yards and passed for 1,102. State Class AA champ in 400-meter dash. Being recruited for DB or receiver. Numerous offers. Stanford, Virginia, Georgia and Penn State are favorites, Stanford and Virginia the leaders.
10. Dan Acri
TE-DE 6-3, 230, BISHOP McDEVITT
Committed to Penn State a few weeks ago. Had about 20 scholarship offers. Turned down Michigan State, Boston College, Miami and Virginia, among others. Good pass-rusher. Had eight sacks as a junior. Most schools recruited him as a defensive player. Caught eight passes last year from tight end position.
11. Hikee Johnson
RB-DB 6-0, 185, NORTH PENN
Needs 1,400 yards to reach 4,000 for his career. Rushed for 1,505 yards last season. Could play a number of different positions in college. Some like him at DB and some think he could play receiver. Has a number of offers and will probably make a decision soon. Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and Pitt are his top choices.
12. Pete Gilmore
RB-DB 5-10, 205, WILSON
Brother of Penn State tight end John Gilmore. Pete will follow his brother's footsteps. Pete committed to Penn State this summer. Also was considering Maryland, North Carolina State, Rutgers and Pitt. He could play on either side of the ball in college, but prefers running back. Rushed for 1,188 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
13. Musa Smith
RB-DB 6-1, 200, WEST PERRY
Rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season and averaged 9.7 yards a carry. Has good size and strength (335-pound bench press). Also a good defensive back. Made oral commitment to Georgia less than two weeks ago. Also considered Wisconsin, North Carolina, Penn State and West Virginia.
14. J.D. Benson
LB 6-4, 200, LEBANON
Made an oral commitment to Penn State in the spring. Has excellent quickness and speed for a linebacker. Needs more weight for college, though. Turned down offers from West Virginia, Purdue, Pitt and Wisconsin.
15. Jim Mitchell
DB-RB 6-2, 205, EXETER
Has talent on offense and defense. Rushed for 1,218 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season. Intercepted four passes from his cornerback position. Made July commitment to Penn State.
16. Marquis Weeks
DB-RB 6-0, 190, CONESTOGA
A prospect on offense and defense. Wants to play running back in college. Virginia wants him for running back and the Cavaliers are the leader. Also has offers from Boston College and Maryland. Runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.
17. Jeremy McCorkle
OT-TE-DE 6-7, 315, FREEPORT
A starter since his freshman year. Played offensive tackle last year, but was switched to tight end this season. Colleges want him as an offensive lineman. West Virginia, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Pitt have offered scholarships. McCorkle is holding out hope that either Penn State, Michigan or Ohio State offer.
18. T.J. Stancil
WR-DB 6-2, 195, BENSALEM
Caught 30 passes as a junior and intercepted four passes from strong safety position. Could play either position. Has offers from Virginia, Boston College and Rutgers. Boston College and Virginia are his favorites.
19. Troy Swittenburg
RB-DB 5-11, 180, NORRISTOWN
Rushed for 1,800 yards last season. Norristown lost only two games, both to state champion Central Bucks West. Also can play defensive back, but Swittenburg said most schools are recruiting him for offense. Low grades hurt.
20. Le'vaun Wesley
RB-DB 5-11, 190, ACADEMY PARK
Rushed for a little more than 900 yards last season. Had four interceptions from his cornerback position. Excellent speed. Has run a 4.4 40. Purdue wants him for defense. Pitt wants him for running back. Those two have offered scholarships and so has Temple.
21. Bob Ramsey
OL-DL 6-4, 290, MONTOUR
Made a commitment to Virginia Tech a few weeks ago after two unofficial visits to the Hokies. Virginia and Maryland were his other top choices. Had about a dozen offers. Can play either guard or tackle. Has played center.
22. Kyle Schmitt
OT-DL 6-5, 275, DERRY
Considered one of the best offensive linemen in the WPIAL. Has a dozen scholarship offers, including Pitt, West Virginia, Maryland and Rutgers. Cousin of Penn State offensive lineman Matt Schmitt.
23. Don Patrick
WR 6-4, 195, HAZLETON
Made July commitment to Pitt. First-team all-state as a junior. Caught 75 passes last year and 78 as a sophomore. Never played football until his freshman season. Was a QB as a ninth-grader before moving to receiver as a sophomore. Plays in run-and-shoot offense.
24. Mike Vernillo
RB-DB 5-11, 195, FORT CHERRY
Needs a little more than 900 yards to break WPIAL career rushing record. Has 5,584 on 711 carries. Rushed for 1,432 yards as a junior. Has offers from West Virginia, Maryland and Boston College. Questionable if he'll play running back in college.
25. Kinnan Herriott
RB-DB 5-11, 175, McKEESPORT
Was second in WPIAL Class AAA triple jump as a junior. Future is on defense. Coach George Smith calls him one of the hardest hitters he has had. Maryland, Rutgers and Toledo have offered him scholarships.
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