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Recruiting - top players in Pennsylvania and their college choices

Written by Mike White on .

By Mike White | Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, 2:25 p.m.

 Here are the Post-Gazette’s top 32 senior football players in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind, these rankings are based on recruiting potential. Some players might have better statistics or more impressive honors on the high school level, but these are the top players based on recruiting. Letter’-of-intent day is Wednesday.

 

  1. SHARRIF FLOYD, DT, 6-3, 310, PHILADELPHIA WASHINGTON - Ranked among the best defensive linemen in th ecountry. Was Pennsylvania Football News Defensive Player of the Year for Class AAAA. Announced college choice at US Army All-American Bowl. College choice: Florida.
  2. COREY BROWN, RB-WR, 5-11, 170, CARDINAL O’HARA - Rushed for 1,146 yards on 159 attempts this season after missing much of junior year with knee injury. Also caught 32 passes for 489 yards. College choice: Ohio State.
  3. MIKE HULL, LB, 6-1, 220, 4.5, CANON-MCMILLAN - Was MVP of all-star game in Florida last weekend, playing for U.S. team against a World team (Pictured below). Made college commitment in fall of junior year. College choice: Penn State.
  4. DAKOTA ROYER, DL, 6-3, 220, MANHEIM CENTRAL – Helped team to Class AAA state title game. Finished with 46 tackles, 28 assists and 10 sacks. Also played tight end on offense and caught 30 passes for 614 yards. Recruited to play DL. College choice: Penn State.
  5. KYLE BAUBLITZ, DE, 6-4, 255 CENTRAL YORK - Had 45 tackles and 78 assists this season. Had 15 catches for 123 yards as a tight end. Already enrolled at Penn State. College choice: Penn State.
  6. PAUL JONES, QB, 6-3, 225, STO-ROX - Missed first two games of season while recovering from broken ankle suffered this summer in basketball pickup game. Completed 112 of 215 for 1,687 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight games. For career, was 358 of 617 for 5,667 yards and 60 touchdowns. College choice: Penn State.
  7. ANTHONY GONZALEZ, QB, 6-2, 193, BETHLEHEM LIBERTY - Rushed 166 times for 1,210 yards this year and scored 10 touchdowns n nine games. Also passed for 824 yards and 15 TDs. Missed two games with a torn meniscus. Recently suffered torn meniscus in other knee in basketball game and is done for season on the hardwood. A chance he might end up as a defensive back in college. College choice: Pitt.
  8. ALEX KENNEY, WR, 6-0, 195, STATE COLLEGE - One of the fastest receivers in the state. Played running back, too. Rushed 152 times for 1,165 yards. Also had 24 catches for 427 yards. Intercepted eight passes. On kickoff returns, averaged 32 yards. Runs a 4.35 40. College choice: Penn State.
  9. TYLER SMITH, QB, 6-4, 205, WILSON AREA - Finished third in Pennsylvania history for career passing yardage with 8,025 yards. As a senior, completed 172 of 323 for 3,130 yards and 32 touchdowns. Threw 11 INTs. College choice: Maryland.
  10. ANDRE WILLIAMS, RB, 6-1, 214, 4.5, PARKLAND - Had big senior season with 1,913 yards rushing and averaged 8.5 yards a carry. Was fifth in state in 110 hurdles as a junior. College choice: Boston College.
  11. CULLEN CHRISTIAN, CB, 6-1, 180, PENN HILLS - Opened many eyes at camps in combines last spring and summer.
    Didn't have great senior season, but played in US Army All-American Bowl last month. College choice: Michigan.
  12. MILES DIEFFENBACH, OL, 6-5, 285, FOX CHAPEL AARON DONALD, DL, 6-0, 260, PENN HILLS - Could play guard or center in college. Played in Under Armour national all-star game. College choice: Penn State.
  13. AARON DONALD, DL, 6-0, 260, PENN HILLS – One of the most dominating defensive linemen in the state (pictured below). Had more than 10 sacks. Post-Gazette WPIAL Class AAAA Player of the Year. Brother, Archie, was a standout linebacker this season at Toledo. College choice: Pitt.
  14. TOM RICKETTS, OL, 6-6, 265, NORTH ALLEGHENY – Was a little quiet this season because he missed half the year with a knee injury. Shows a lot of potential. College choice: Penn State.
  15. SALATH WILLIAMS, WR, 6-4, 180, HARRISBURG BISHOP MCDEVITT - Had good senior season with 46 catches for 995 yards (21.6 average). Scored 18 touchdowns. Came after catching 49 catches for 899 yards as a junior. College choice: Pitt.
  16. LUKE GRAHAM, OL, 6-5, 265, PENN-TRAFFORD - Coaches didn’t pick him to all-conference team this past season, but still showed plenty of potential. College choice: Penn State.
  17. BRANDON IFILL, DB, 6-0, 180, PENN HILLS - – Also played receiver for Penn Hills. Was recruited to play cornerback. College choice: Pitt.
  18. SAL CONABOY, OG-C, 6-5, 255, ABINGTON HEIGHTS - Moved to guard last year after playing tight end as a freshman and sophomore. College choice: Maryland.
  19. SETH BETANCOURT, OL, 6-6, 290, PHILADELPHIA ST. JOSEPH’S PREP – Most likely will play offensive tackle in college. College choice: Boston College.
  20. DREW CARSWELL, WR, 6-4, 205, STO-ROX – Versatile player. Also played linebacker. Had 40 catches this year and also 40 last year. College choice: Pitt.
  21. JARROD WEST, WR, 6-2, 175, BETHLEHEM LIBERTY - Was receiver for PITT QB recruit Anthony Gonzalez. Finished with 49 receptions for 684 yards. Intercepted two passes and also punted. College choice: Stanford.
  22. IBRAHIM CAMPBELL, RB-DB, 6-0, 190, PHILADELPHIA CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY - Rushed for close to 1,900 yards this season and scored 28 touchdowns. His future appears to be at defensive back, though. College choice: Boston College.
  23. KHAYNIN MOSLEY-SMITH, DL, 6-1, 285, WOODLAND HILLS – Moves well for a player his size. Also strong. College choice: Pitt.
  24. BRENDON FELDER, WR, 5-11, 165, GATEWAY - Played only one season at Gateway after transferring from Boston area. Had 669 yards rushing on 80 carries. Returned three kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. College choice: North Carolina.
  25. MANASSEH GARNER, WR, 6-2, 205, BRASHEAR - Didn’t get much notice this season, but has plenty of potential. Caught 29 passes for 536 yards. Was recruited to play H-back. Some colleges also liked him for DB. College choice: Wisconsin.
  26. DERRICK BURNS, RB, 5-10, 200, WILMINGTON - Speedy running back who runs a 4.4 in the 40. Could also end up on defensive side of the ball. This season, rushed 130 times for 1,110 yards for state Class AA semifinalist. 43 tackles and 53 assists on defense. Brother, Chris, is a running back at Pitt. College choice: Pitt.
  27. JORDAN PASKORZ, DE-LB, 6-4, 230, HAMPTON - Moves well and could play a few different positions in college. Brother, Steve, is a backup fullback at Notre Dame. College choice: Michigan.
  28. KEVIN WEATHERSPOON, WR, 5-11, 175, CLAIRTON – Versatile player for state Class A champion Bears. Also good on defense and kick returns. College choice: Pitt.
  29. JACK DEBOEF, OL, 6-8, 270, STATE COLLEGE - – Added seven inches and 70 pounds since eighth grade. College choice: Purdue.
  30. ARTHUR DOAKES, OL, 6-6, 350, LEBANON - – Size got him noticed by colleges. Made college decision last summer. College choice: Pitt.
  31. TAJ ALEXANDER, DL-OL, 6-4, 280, DOWNINGTOWN EAST - – Could play offense or defense in college. Had 17 sacks as a senior. College choice: Rutgers.
  32. ERIC WILLIAMS, DB, 6-3, 205, PENNSBURY  – Can run a 4.45 40. Never played varsity football until his junior year. College choice: Pitt.

 

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