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Will Yancich be a Spartan?
Mike Yancich loves Big Ten football, so it's no surprise the Trinity linebacker has two schools from the conference ranked among his top five choices.
Michigan State and Penn State are finalists along with three Big East schools - Connecticut, Pitt and West Virginia.
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"Michigan State is in the Big Ten and I love Big Ten football," Yancich said Friday after wrapping up the first day of activity at Pitt passing camp. "The coaches are real cool and I felt comfortable there."
He seemed equally impressed with Penn State.
"The coaches are awesome," Yancich said. "I'm a linebacker and Penn State is the place they call "Linebacker U." They've had Paul Posluszny, Sean Lee and everybody else."
Many expect Yancich to select Penn State, however, his profile on MySpace.com sports Michigan State decorations.
One of the five finalists will get a commitment from one of the nation's fastest rising recruits.
Since Yancich was named the MVP of the Nike Scout Combine, his profile has risen dramatically. He currently fields 25-30 offers from conference in the Bowl Championship Series.
Connecticut was the first.
"I went up there in late April and loved it," said Yancich, an all-conference performer who finished his junior year with 115 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions.
Division I scouts fell for Yancich, a 6-3, 220 mountain of muscle. He can bench press 375 pounds and he owns a state deadlift record (545 pounds), which he set a couple years ago.
Combine his size and strength to go with speed and agility and it's no wonder why Yancich is now the nation's No. 8 weakside linebacker according to scout.com and the No. 9 outside linebacker according to rivals.com, which also lists Yancich as Pennsylvania's sixth-best college recruit.
"He has unbelievable closing speed and unbelievable motor skills," Trinity football coach Ed Dalton said. "But the best thing is he's a much better football player now. Before, he was a great athlete playing football."
And, now, Yancich has joined teammate and fellow linebacker Andrew Sweat, an Ohio State recruit, as one of the nation's most sought-after talents.
"I wouldn't have called myself a football player two years ago," Yancich said. "I got by on being a good athlete but when you get up to the high level of varsity football, you can't just be an athlete. I have to credit Coach Dalton and the staff with helping me evolve into the football player I've become."
