Quip To Pitt Pipeline in Trouble?
by Karlo Zovko
Posted June 25, 2013 9:01 pm
Aliquippa Football, Dravon Henry, Jaleel Fields, ohio state, penn state, Pitt, Recruiting, Terry Swanson, WVU
There is an unwritten law at Aliquippa High School. This law states that if you are a highly touted Divion-1 prospect, you continue your playing career at nearby Pitt. Players that went this route include the likes of Darrelle Revis, Jonathan Baldwin, Brandon Lindsey, Tommie Cambell, and Sean Gilbert. At one point, Aliquippa High School had the most NFL players on a roster earlier in the 2000’s.
There was one man who didn’t go this route though. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career (will be inducted eventually). In the early 1990’s, Ty Law took his talents to the University of Michigan. He then went on to star in the NFL for the New England Patriots, making five Pro-Bowls (one of which being the MVP of the game) and winning three Super Bowl Rings. This is one key example college coaches are trying to get prospects such as Dravon Henry and Jaleel Fields to buy.
Aliquippa has arguably it’s best team in the past 20 years. It’s been up for much debate, so we’ll play it safe and say this Quips group is a top 5 team in the school’s history (preseason that is). With a team supposedly this good, it’s obvious the team should be loaded with Division 1 talent. The three-headed monster leading the Quips this year is Dravon Henry, Jaleel Fields, and Terry Swanson. Pitt fans had high hopes of landing all three, but at this point, it’s starting to look bleak.
As of right now, Dravon Henry and Jaleel Fields hold Pitt offers. Terry Swanson surprisingly has yet to get an offer from the local school. All three have talked about all going to the same school at one point. That fantasy doesn’t seem realistic anymore. Last week, Pitt reeled in ten commitments in a matter of five days, two of them being defensive linemen. Once this happened, it is reported from a source very close to the Aliquippa stars that Pitt reportedly told Jaleel Fields they are no longer taking Defensive Linemen. He has since been looking elsewhere, reportedly taking a liking to Michigan State and Purdue.
MAC schools have made Terry Swanson a priority. Bigger BCS schools to offer such as Temple would like to have a talent like Swanson on the roster, but they won’t be as upset about losing him than other recruits. With that being said, don’t get me wrong, TERRY SWANSON CAN BALL. It was assumed Pitt would be a school to offer the standout running back/safety, but he has yet to hear word from the Panthers.
Dravon Henry is the prized recruit of the whole WPIAL. Wherever he will land, there is no doubt he will make an early impact and possibly be up for All-American honors as he matures further in his collegiate career. He recently named a top 4; Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, and West Virginia. As we start to understand Dravon more, it’s clear he isn’t sold on the whole “Quips go to Pitt” motto. Right now, we here at Preps.com feel as if West Virginia is the team to beat, as he likes their coaching staff and the way the Mountaineers handle things. Right now all four teams are still in the race and anything can happen now until his commitment.
With Pitt moving to the ACC, it would probably be smart to try and solidify their best pipeline high school team. If none of the three end up at Pitt, you have to question what future Quips will think. For more updates, be sure to check back here as Preps.com will continue to cover this story.
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Aliquippa Football, Dravon Henry, Jaleel Fields, ohio state, penn state, Pitt, Recruiting, Terry Swanson, WVU