Two weeks from today the 2013 high school football season officially kicks off with the start of preseason camp.
So get ready for a parade of preseason hype. It’s that time of the year.
National rankings are big during this period, but there shouldn’t be a Keystone state team in any Top 25. Preseason state rankings are already in the works, as well.
In terms of the top individual players in the state, MaxPreps revealed its 2013 preseason Mr. Football for all 50 states.
Based on recruiting, choosing J.J. Cosentino, a 6-4, 215-pound QB from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, as the preseason Pennsylvania Mr. Football isn’t too far outside the box.
Cosentino, from a recruiting perspective, is one of the top 10 players in the state. And he’s given a verbal declaration to Florida State.
Making him the top pick in the state, though, shows either a shallow ability do even basic research or laziness beyond comprehension.
If the MaxPreps Preseason Mr. Football has anything to do with performance Cosentino isn’t close to the top five after throwing for fewer than 600 yards last year.
Again, Cosentino is one of the top 10 players in the state in my opinion. No way is he No. 1.
I’m not going to throw out one name that should have been at the top. I’ll offer three – one from each part of the state – for comparison.
Staying in Western Pennsylvania, Washington running back Shai McKenzie rushed for 2,689 yards and 42 touchdowns last season. And he has in the neighborhood of 25-30 FBS scholarship offers.
Moving to central part of the state there’s Cedar Cliff quarterback Andrew Ford. As a junior he threw for 2,957 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was selected as an Elite 11 QB and has verbally committed to Virginia Tech.
One final drive down the Turnpike to the Southeastern corner of the state and there’s Coatesville RB-DB Daquan Worley. The 5-11, 185-pound two-way threat rushed for 1,779 yards with 20 touchdowns, plus had 45 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Worley is headed to Penn State in the fall.
If you’re going to name a Pennsylvania Mr. Football for the preseason, the choice should make sense in 50 or fewer words.
And most importantly is should be a name football fans around the state recognize.
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