Upper St. Clair QB Dakota Conwell names a favorite
by Wade Perry
Posted April 27, 2011 12:03 am
Photo courtesy of Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
FinestPreps.com has already unveiled a number of top high school football prospects in the state of Pennsylvania.
Today we decided it was time to delve back into the Keystone state in our quest for the latest and greatest members of the high school football gridiron.
Who’s the latest member of the high school football world in the state of Pennsylvania to land on the FinestPreps.com blog?
That would be none other than Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh, Pa.) signal-caller/linebacker Dakota Conwell.
Conwell, a 6’2, 210 pound athlete for Upper St. Clair, plays both sides of the ball remarkably well.
He had such a spectacular season in 2010 that he landed on the Pennsylvania Sportswriters AAAA first team all-state list as a linebacker.
Not only is Conwell a gifted linebacker for the Panthers, he also happens to be a dynamic dual-threat quarterback as well.
As a junior, Conwell punished opposing defenses through the air (920 passing yards) and the ground (1,080 rushing yards).
Utilizing his excellent blend of vision, speed, and power, Conwell dazzled high school football fans all across the state of Pennsylvania to the tune of 2,000 all-purpose yards.
Those traits really jump out at you when watching Conwell’s highlight tape below–he’s blessed with tremendous vision between the tackles, follows his blocks extremely well, and does not shy away from contact once defenders are lucky enough to get their hands on him.
Not only that–Conwell is a hard-hitting linebacker who’s extremely quick off the line of scrimmage.
Last year for Upper St. Clair, he racked up 61 tackles, four sacks, and one interception.
Conwell currently doesn’t have any scholarships but he’s drawing interest from a variety of schools–including WVU, where his father Dane Conwell played fullback.
Dakota recently took a visit to Morgantown, West Virginia–to take a look at the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Conwell will be back at West Virginia this Saturday for the Mountaineers’ spring game.
Look for his recruitment process to heat up in the near future!
FinestPreps.com was lucky enough to catch up with the dynamic class of 2012 athlete to discuss his recruitment process recently.
Below is the interview.
FinestPreps.com Interview with Upper St. Clair QB Dakota Conwell
FinestPreps.com: First off Dakota, talk about how the college football recruiting process is going for you.
Dakota Conwell: “So far it’s been good. I’ve visited lots of schools over the past three months. I’m hoping that I won’t have to worry about it during my senior year of football. So I’m just trying to make my rounds right now, just decide who I like the most, and go from there.”
FinestPreps.com: Do you have any scholarship offers currently, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “No but I’ve had a few schools that have said they’re really close.”
FinestPreps.com: What schools are those, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “The main two right now are West Virginia and Toledo and West Virginia said they’re really close.”
FinestPreps.com: Talk about how your recent visit to West Virginia went.
Dakota Conwell: “It went real well. The coaching staff–I like them a lot. They seem like they like me. Actually the coach that is recruiting me–coach Steve Dunlap–my dad played there so he kind of knows the family a little bit. I just like West Virginia a lot. They’ve always been one of my favorite schools since I was younger.”
FinestPreps.com: Talk about your visit down to WVU this weekend for the spring game, Dakota.
Dakota Conwell: “Yeah I’m just gonna down, hopefully see the coaches before the game, and get to watch them play. Hopefully they’ll look good.”
FinestPreps.com: Do you have any favorites as far as the recruiting process is concerned, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “Yeah I mean I like a few schools. West Virginia is on the top of my list–my dad played there. I really like what their program has to offer. Also, I like Pitt too and Michigan State–I like all three.”
FinestPreps.com: Dakota, I know you’re a linebacker with the W PA Swag 7-on-7 team. Talk about your experience with the W PA Swag 7-on-7 team.
Dakota Conwell: “Yeah–we’ve got a bunch of great players on our team, some really good athletes. That’s why playing with them–I’m trying to get better. It’s been a good time. I’ve made new friendships and they’re a lot of highly rated prospects on that team. So I’m hoping someday that we’ll all be able to play together.”
FinestPreps.com: What position are teams recruiting you to play at for the next level, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “Most of them are outside linebacker but West Virginia likes me at strong safety.”
FinestPreps.com: Do you have a preference Dakota as to where you want to play?
Dakota Conwell: “No. It really doesn’t matter to me. I just want to get on a team and play. Wherever they want me is fine.”
FinestPreps.com: I know you’re the quarterback for Upper St. Clair, Dakota. What are the things you like about being the quarterback?
Dakota Conwell: “I just like having the ball in my hands every play, pretty much. That’s my favorite thing because everything has to go through me and I can either make plays for my team or make bad plays.”
FinestPreps.com: Did you have any football role models growing up, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “Yeah I had an older brother in front of me that played and I really looked up to him. He played at my school. Some other positive local people. I’ve also–like every other kid–I’ve been watching pros and Michael Vick and players like that.”
FinestPreps.com: Do you have any other visits planned, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “Yeah I do. It’s just right now I don’t have my schedule completely planned out but I definitely will be going to multiple schools within the next month.”
FinestPreps.com: When do you think you’ll make a decision as far as the recruiting process is concerned, Dakota?
Dakota Conwell: “I would like to make one probably in the month of June before the season. So I could be free of having that pressure on me and I can just go play–do the best job that I can.”
Wade Peery is the senior writer for FinestPreps.com. He can be reached by e-mail at wadepeery@yahoo.com. All comments and feedback are welcome.
Check out the highlights of Dakota Conwell below–courtesy of FinestPreps.com!