Talent level in Laurel Highlands

[GrapeApe]

In order for a player in the LHAC or our area to be considered a D1 prospect, they must DOMINATE at the high school level. We're not talking just being really good, but actually taking over a game. You know that this player is the one that that is going to make the plays to put his team in position to win games each and every week. On top of that, they have to have the physical size and speed to compete at the D1 level as well.

I just don't know if I've seen that from anyone in our area lately. I don't necessarily think that it means that our overall talent level is down, but we just don't have those 1 or 2 "superstars".

When was the last time we anyone go to a BIG D1 school and actually play? I know. Stephens-Howling at Pitt. He was dominant in HS and he's had a very nice career at Pitt, but when was the last time Pitt has been relevant on the national college football scene. Kanuch at UConn? I'm very happy for him, but again, is UConn really a power?

The last person I can remember is Artrell Hawkins and he played for BM about 15 YEARS AGO. Then again, he went to Cincinnati. Not really a BIG D1 school. Fortunately for him, he took advantage of his opportunity and made a pro career out of it.

I'm just saying that to think there is ever more than 1 or 2 D1 prospects coming from our area in any given year, if any, is a stretch.

[sydfinch]

In order for a player in the LHAC or our area to be considered a D1 prospect, they must DOMINATE at the high school level.

Who says? The D-1 recruiters decide who's a prospect and who isn't. Minnemyer went to Rutgers two years ago (a Top 25 program at the time) and he was never DOMINANT on the high school level.

On top of that, they have to have the physical size and speed to compete at the D1 level as well.

This is much more applicable than your first statement.

Stephens-Howling at Pitt. He was dominant in HS and he's had a very nice career at Pitt, but when was the last time Pitt has been relevant on the national college football scene. Kanuch at UConn? I'm very happy for him, but again, is UConn really a power?

Since the scholarship limits were imposed, there are really only 4-5 perennial powers and then there's a level of 70-80 other schools that are still big-time and compete on the national scene once or twice every five years. Pitt and UConn are in that level. It's still big-time football.

[Recruiting Guru]

I def. would disagree with the statement that you have to "Dominate" in our area. Take Wadley for example, yea he didnt go to the SEC, and yea it didnt even work out at Toledo, but none the less he got a D1 scholarship barely playing in 2 seasons.... Further more I would put PITT, Rutgers and UCONN in that big level D1 category. Especially if you put Cincinnati in that category when Artrell Hawkins was there, because when he went to school there they were the doormat of Conference USA (non BCS) and hadn't been to a bowl game in 53 years. Besides that I think Larod has had a pretty good career at pitt considereing the circumstances and I think he will get a chance to play at the next level. And, although he transfered, we are forgetting about turkovich at ND. Also, although they arent BCS teams, I think Koenig and Hawkins (Andrew) had good careers at Ohio (Which beat PITT while koenig was a starter for them) an Toledo respectively. And both got picked up by the Browns following the draft last year. (here is a Cleveland Browns video of Andrew Hawkins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH5fX4LQfJ4 , so like i said give your area some credit...

[imright]

on the other hand i think their is some area players that dominate at the hs level and do not get the d1 opportunity for example Forcellini was one of the most dominant players in the area and ended up at Bucknell and I'm sure of his status now.

[kingdomofcrush07]

forcellini didnt have the height and was so called "not fast enough" which is proably a myth because his game speed was quite good. Steve Greene will probaly go to a big time team. We are forgetting about Geroy Simon who played at Maryland and set many records in the mid 90s. The older Kaunch also was a special teams player for PSU.

[GrapeApe]

I agree, recruiters get to make those decisions. I need to be more specific next time. I was actually talking about those players that can make an impact at the D1 level and not just be recruited. I still think that those player who will play a significant role at the next level must be dominant in our area. Lerod is one of them and is having a nice go of it at Pitt.

I agree that Cincinnati was a doormat of college football when Artrell went there. That was my point.

Being recruited must be very exciting for these kids at the D1 level and I wish them all the best. I'm just not convinced that we produce even a handful of kids that actually play a signifcant role on a D1 team in any given decade.

[Opinionguy]

I have said this 100 times on this board...but it never hurts to say it again.

Too many people (kids, parents, fans included) get too hung up on this concept of "going d1". How many great football players have we had come out of this area? Every year there are a handful of kids who we think "man this kid has to be D1". Look at the facts. As mentioned before...in the previous 20 years...we've had one player mentioned on College Game Day (Larod), and one player play in the NFL (Hawkins).

The fact of the matter is that if you are good enough to go play football in college you go and hopefully get your education paid for. Pick a school that is right for you, and get your degree. Playing a sport in college is very special, no matter what level you play at. No matter what you do in life, people are going to put you down. Take a look at this thread and this board from the past year. "yea but Kanuch is ONLY playing at UCONN" (mind you he caught a TD on NATIONAL TELEVISION), "Hawkins went to Cincy when they were a doormat" (so what he played in the NFL), "Scott Lewis is only playing at St. Francis" (So what he was NEC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR), "Crookshank wasn't that good, he only played at Slippery Rock" (Might have been the best overall player to come out of this area in the past 10 years, and was considered one of the Top 3 QB's in the PSAC for the past two season). The list goes on and on. These kids are making impacts at the institutions that gave them a chance. Whose to say Lewis, or Crooskhank couldn't of played D1? They shined, or are shining where they are playing. Is it there fault they weren't given the chance? There are many more players that fall into this category as well.

If you have played in college you know what a great experience it is. And you know what, it's something that no one can ever take away from you, and you'll take pride in it the rest of your life. So if you have the opportunity, take advantage of it, enjoy it, and don't let other people put your accomplishments down.

[TBone]

Opguy - that was one of the best, most thought out posts that I have read here for awhile. You are exactly right. District 6 is never going to get the D1 athletes that District 7 has. But big deal. These kids play good ball and should never be belittled because they don't play for bigtime D1 schools. Playing ball at any level in college is a lot of fun and, as you said, something that they will remember their whole lives. Sometimes we like to think of our conference as better than others based on who goes on to play. That is BS. The LH is a good conference because of the competition week after week, and not because one or two kids MAY go on to play D1. Some on here need to get out of Cambria county and see the talent present in other areas. It may be humbling.

[imright]

Definitely a very well thought out point. I don't think Larod gets enough credit for what he does at Pitt. He plays behind McCoy but his yards per carry and play on special teams is phenomenal. I think it is going to be interesting after the season when he gets a shot in the pros. I also think the local newspaper should keep up with local kids playing in college. Playing in college is a total commitment compared to HS and i don't think the kids get the credit they deserve. An athlete that goes and plays at any level is an honor. I just feel the paper should try to get more stories in there about local athletes continuing their sports careers. I mean players like Koenig and Hawkins who both had very successful careers should get some more credit.

[kingdomofcrush07]

I think the success that many of the areas athletes have in college football says alot for the area. I dont think there any miami usc and texas type recruits, but there are alot of guys who can compete at the mid D-1/1-aa and D-2 level and I hope more people get looks. Andy hawkins and artrell r prime examples of not getting recriuted.