Recruit Report: Many in area choosing MAC schools
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Steelers QB Charlie Batch was a WPIAL product who played college ball in the MAC.
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Some WPIAL football players have made it to the NFL through the Mid-American Conference.
Woodland Hills' Jason Taylor , Steel Valley's Charlie Batch and Seton-LaSalle's Bruce Gradkowski are a few who played professionally after strong careers in the MAC.
In the class of 2012, the number of WPIAL and City League players headed to the MAC has reached double figures.
Nine players from the WPIAL and one from the City League have made verbal commitments to MAC schools.
Toledo has done especially well in Western Pennsylvania with five recruits. They are Peabody linebacker Jaylen Coleman , Penn Hills receiver Corey Jones , Central Catholic running back Damion Jones-Moore , Central Catholic defensive back Juwan Haynes and Penn Hills defensive back Chazz Whittaker .
Coleman, Jones-Moore and Jones were all members of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22. Coleman was the City League Player of the Year and Jones-Moore rushed for more than 4,000 yards. Jones originally made a verbal commitment to Pitt and Whittaker to West Virginia, before both changed their minds and committed to Toledo.
Kent State has two WPIAL recruits -- Montour running back Julian Durden and Highlands lineman Jake Witucki . Durden also was a Fabulous 22 selection.
Bowling Green also has two WPIAL recruits -- linemen Logan Dietz of Central Catholic and J.J. Beggan of Seton-LaSalle.
The other WPIAL player headed to the MAC is Western Beaver receiver Dustin Creel , who chose Eastern Michigan.
Wednesday is "letter-of-intent day," the first day high school seniors can sign a binding letter of intent with a college. While most of the WPIAL's top players have made verbal commitments to colleges, Jeannette defensive back Demetrious Cox and Sto-Rox linebacker Deaysean Rippy still haven't decided.
Cox will choose from Pitt, Penn State and Ohio State. Sto-Rox coach Ron Butschle said Rippy will most likely choose from Pitt, West Virginia, Colorado and Arizona.
• Although Montour quarterback Dillon Buechel visited New Hampshire last weekend, the second-leading passer in WPIAL history doesn't have a scholarship offer from New Hampshire. His offers are from Maine and Duquesne and he seems to be leaning toward Duquesne.
• Seton-LaSalle running back-receiver Kevin Hart , a Fabulous 22 selection, has committed to William & Mary.
First Published January 27, 2012 12:00 am
