TJ standouts make college decisions
The Post-Gazette co-Players of the Year playing for the same college?
It almost happened. Thomas Jefferson’s Shane Stump and Dan Deabner, teammates since seventh grade, were close to picking the same school. Each had IUP among their top choices and both took visits there.
But in the end, the passcatch combo that led the Jaguars to WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles last fall decided to go their separate ways.
Stump is headed to Duquesne, while Deabner will play at IUP. Deabner verbally committed last week. Stump informed Duquesne coaches of his choice Sunday. National Signing Day is next Wednesday.
Stump (6 feet 1, 200 pounds) said his decision ultimately came down between Duquesne and IUP. Dayton and Valparaiso were among the schools also showing interest. Stump visited Duquesne on Saturday.
“I think just, obviously with it being close to home, is good,” Stump said. “I think their business school is going to be very good for me and I really like the coaching staff. They’re cool dudes and down to earth. I know a lot of people there. I know the social atmosphere and I think I fit in there.”
It’s still undetermined what position Stump will play at Duquesne. He said it could be on defense — either at safety or outside linebacker — or at quarterback.
Like Stump, Deabner (6-0, 180) didn’t have any offers from any FBS schools. A few Patriot League and Ivy League schools were in contact at one time — likewise with Stump — but Deabner ended up picking IUP over fellow PSAC schools California and Slippery Rock. He will play slot receiver.
“When I went to the campus and talked to the coaches, it felt like home to me,” Deabner said. “It felt like my high school coaches, my high school teammates. Everybody was cool. It felt like I couldn’t pick anywhere else.”
At Thomas Jefferson, the two hooked up for 44 touchdowns in their careers. Stump threw for 2,664 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior, while Deabner caught 49 passes for 1,103 yards and 21 touchdowns. The two were also standouts in Thomas Jefferson’s secondary.
Deabner said it will be an adjustment not playing with Stump, but is excited for a new challenge.
“It will be a lot different,” Deabner said. “I’ve been playing with him for six years now. It’s going to be a big change because [playing with a different quarterback] takes a little bit of time to get it down and we were just fortunate to be playing together for so long. But I’m looking forward to meeting some new guys.”
One of Deabner’s teammates, tackle Logan Danielson, will join him at IUP. Like Deabner and Stump, Danielson was selected to the PostGazette’s Fabulous 22 team.
Luffey to West Liberty
One other member of the Fabulous 22 team picked a school over the weekend as Moon lineman Brenden Luffey committed to West Liberty. Luffey was dominant his senior season, especially on the defensive side. He finished with 20 tackles for loss, including 9.5 sacks.
Olsavsky for baseball
A son of a Steelers assistant coach has found his college home, only he will play baseball, not football. Central Catholic senior Joe Olsavsky committed to John Carroll. Olsavsky’s father, Jerry, was a popular Steelers player and is now the team’s inside linebackers coach.
Football commitments
Aliquippa’s Isaiah Towler (IUP); Avonworth’s Josh Elm (Clarion); Beaver Falls’ Noah Vaughan (IUP); Belle Vernon’s Gage Rogge (California); Belle Vernon’s Hunter Ruokonen (Duquesne); Burrell’s Michael Scherer (Edinboro); Central Catholic’s Luke Harris (Duquesne); Central Catholic’s Adam Kozera (Wheeling); Central Catholic’s Sharod Lindsey (California); Central Valley’s Michael Barbuto (IUP); Derry’s Max Malis (Mercyhurst); East Allegheny’s Tyler Padezan (Duquesne); Greensburg Salem’s Ryan Thomas (Seton Hill); Greensburg Salem’s Cavan Trout (IUP); Hempfield’s Dillon Ferretti (Mercyhurst); Hempfield’s Paul Newill (Seton Hill); Hempfield’s Nathan Roby (Clarion); Montour’s George Padezanin (Lehigh); Mt. Lebanon’s Evan Jones (Colgate); Penn Hills’ Derrell Porter (Dartmouth); Pine-Richland’s Trent Miller (Valparaiso); Seneca Valley’s Conor Hayes (Millersville); Seneca Valley’s Evan Smith (Duquesne); Washington’s Gerald Comedy (IUP); Washington’s Isaiah Edwards (Wheeling); Washington’s Caleb Jackson (Wheeling); Yough’s Russell Pytlak (Mercyhurst).
Basketball commitments
East Allegheny’s Amaia Johnson (West Liberty); Lincoln Park’s Taylor Smith (Glenville State); Vincentian’s Nate Cullo (Clarion).
Baseball commitments
Central Valley’s Michael Sittig (Thiel); Norwin’s Aidan Shephard (Mercyhurst).
Golf commitment
Fox Chapel’s Amani D’Ambrosio (Johnson & Wales).
Soccer commitment
Kiski Area’s Ross Ziemianski (Grove City).