List of WPIAL and City League football players given a five-star rating by Rivals or 247Sports since 2006 (Senior year in parentheses).
• Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette (2008) — Nation’s No. 1 recruit chose Ohio State over Michigan. Three-year starter at Ohio State and the Rose Bowl MVP his sophomore season. Withdrew from school prior to senior season due to off-the-field problems, but was selected by Oakland in the NFL’s supplemental draft in 2011. Spent seven seasons in the NFL, playing quarterback and wide receiver. Had a career-high 77 catches for 1,077 yards with Cleveland in 2016.
• Jonathan Baldwin, Aliquippa (2008) — Considered the No. 5 wide receiver in the country. Future NFL stars Julio Jones and A.J. Green were 1 and 2. Was a big catch for Pitt, as he chose the Panthers over Miami and Florida. Became a full-time starter his sophomore season. Declared for the NFL draft following his junior season and was taken by the Kansas Chiefs with the 26th overall pick in 2011. Spent three seasons in the NFL, totaling 44 catches for 607 yards.
• Corey Brown, Gateway (2009) — Brown was a blue chip recruit dubbed the No. 6 cornerback in the country. Chose the scarlet and gray of Ohio State over Pitt. Schools seemed to be split on whether Brown would play defensive back or wide receiver in college. Started nine games at safety as a senior at Ohio State in 2013, finishing sixth on the team in tackles. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, but did not make the team.
• Dorian Bell, Gateway (2009) — Two five-star recruits in the same class from the same WPIAL school, a public school no less? Yes, that actually happened 13 years ago. Bell was tabbed the No. 3 outside linebacker in the country. And like his teammate, Bell chose Ohio State. He played sparingly there before being suspended for a season due to violation of team rules. Transferred to Duquesne, where he was a three-year starter and was named an FCS All-American.
• Rushel Shell, Hopewell (2012) — Most prolific runner in Pennsylvania history was the No. 3 running back in the country behind Johnathan Gray and T.J. Yeldon. Just like Hopewell great Tony Dorsett had done decades earlier, Shell picked Pitt. Rushed for 641 yards his freshman season before transferring to West Virginia. Played three seasons there, collecting 2,010 yards and 20 touchdowns. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2017, but was waived.
• Robert Foster, Central Valley (2013) — Rated the country’s No. 2 wide receiver, “D-Rob” committed to Nick Saban and Alabama over Pitt. Played sparingly his first three seasons before appearing in 12 games in 2017 when he helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship, which was Foster’s second. Buffalo signed Foster as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Had 27 receptions for 541 yards his rookie season. Signed by the New York Giants in March.
• Dorian Johnson, Belle Vernon (2013) — The No. 2 offensive tackle in the nation was originally headed to Happy Valley. But after Penn State was hit with NCAA sanctions, Johnson reopened his recruitment and flipped to Pitt. Became a starter his freshman season and went on to earn All-America honors as a senior in 2016. Picked by Arizona in the fourth round of the NFL draft in 2017. Spent time on practice squads, but never played in a regular-season game.
• Miles Sanders, Woodland Hills (2016) — Ranked the No. 1 running back in the nation, Sanders was the first recruit in the 2016 class for then first-year Penn State coach James Franklin. Also considered Pitt and Alabama, among many others. Had a breakout campaign his junior season, rushing for 1,274 yards. Selected by Philadelphia in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. In three seasons, has rushed for 2,439 yards to go with 104 receptions.
• Lamont Wade, Clairton (2017) — Wade was the No. 1 cornerback in the country and No. 11 player overall. Eventually picked Penn State over Pitt, West Virginia, Tennessee and UCLA. Became Penn State’s starting safety his junior season. Was a team captain his senior season when he was named second-team All-Big Ten. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 draft, but was cut after appearing in four preseason games.
Brad Everett: beverett@post-gazette.com and Twitter: @BREAL412.
First Published: August 19, 2022, 10:30 a.m.
