Eight WPIAL products could be claimed in draft

Ohio State safety Malik Hooker will undoubtedly be the first player from a WPIAL high school selected in Thursday’s NFL draft. Hooker, who played at New Castle, is a sure first-round selection and some project him to go in the first 10 picks.

But there is a decent chance Hooker won’t be the only former WPIAL defensive back selected.

Michigan State safety Montae Nicholson, a former Gateway High standout, is projected to go anywhere from the fourth to seventh round. Nicholson gave up his final year of eligibility at Michigan State to enter the draft.

Also, another Michigan State defensive back, Demetrious Cox of Jeannette, has a chance at getting drafted in a late round.

Joe Butler has run Metro Index, a high school scouting service, for decades. But he also scouts college players independently and talks to NFL scouts.

“Things have shifted in this area,” said Butler. “We used to be heavy on producing offensive linemen for a lot of years. Now, we have a lot of defensive backs coming out of here. I don’t know why, but this area is pumping them out.”

Outside of Pitt players, another former WPIAL player projected to be a late-round selection is Toledo’s Treyvon Hester, a defensive tackle from Penn Hills. If you throw in Pitt players, including Belle Vernon offensive lineman Dorian Johnson, Butler believes six to eight former WPIAL players could be taken in this year’s draft. Only three WPIAL players were selected last year and one in 2015.

“When you compare it to recent years, I think it’s an outstanding year for the WPIAL,” said Butler. “Six to eight is pretty good for one area of the country.”

By Mike White