The college football season began this weekend and there were many former WPIAL players and a few from the City League who were slated either to to start or see playing time at Division I-A schools.
A list of the players is below, but one of the most notable players on a big-time team was Central Valley's Robert Foster, who is starting at receiver for the University of Alabama. He caught four passes in a victory against Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has one of the best defensive backs in the Big 10 in former West Allegheny standout Mike Caputo, but he sustained a head injury on one of the first few plays and didn't return. Mt. Lebanon's Arthur Goldberg starts on the defensive line for Mt. Lebanon.
Montae Nicholson (Gateway) had an interception for Michigan State. Nicholson is expected to be a top-notch defensive back for the Spartans (Nicholson is pictured, courtesy of Michigan State's sports information office).
Chazz Whittaker had two INTs for Toledo.
Mack Leftiwch started for UTEP in a loss to Arkansas.
Colleague Brian Batko has put together a list of former district players at FBS schools. Kudos to Brian These are players who were either listed as starters or expected to see playing time. We may have missed someone who is expected to play plenty. If we did, let us know. But here is Brian's list:
QUARTERBACK
Perry Hills (Maryland, Central Catholic)
Thomas Woodson (Akron, Gateway)
Mack Leftwich (UTEP, North Allegheny)
RUNNING BACK
James Conner, (Pitt, McDowell)
Rushel Shell (West Virginia, Hopewell)
Shai McKenzie (Virginia Tech, Washington)
Terry Swanson (Toledo, Aliquippa)
Damion Jones-Moore (Toledo, Central Catholic)
FULLBACK
Jaymar Parrish (Pitt, Gateway)
RECEIVER
Tyler Boyd (Pitt, Clairton)
Robert Foster (Alabama, Central Valley)
Corey Jones (Toledo, Penn Hills)
Elijah Zeise (Pitt, North Allegheny)
Dontez Ford (Pitt, Sto-Rox)
Dustin Creel (Eastern Michigan, Western Beaver)
TIGHT END
J.P. Holtz (Pitt, Shaler)
Scott Orndoff (Pitt, Seton-LaSalle)
Paul Lang (Michigan State, Mt. Lebanon)
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Adam Bisnowaty (Pitt, Fox Chapel)
Logan Dietz (Bowling Green, Central Catholic)
Alex Bookser (Pitt, Mt. Lebanon)
OFFENSIVE GUARD
Dorian Johnson (Pitt, Belle Vernon)
Ian Park (Northwestern, Upper St. Clair)
J.J. Beggan (Bowling Green, Seton-LaSalle)
CENTER
Rob Kugler (Purdue, North Allegheny)
DEFENSIVE END
Quinton Jefferson (Maryland, Woodland Hills)
Branden Jackson (Texas Tech, McKeesport)
Arthur Goldberg (Wisconsin, Mt. Lebanon)
Rori Blair (Pitt, Upper St. Clair)
Ejuan Price (Pitt, Woodland Hills)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Delvon Simmons (USC, McKeesport)
Treyvon Hester (Toledo, Penn Hills)
Tyrique Jarrett (Pitt, Allderdice)
K.K. Mosley-Smith (Pitt, Woodland Hills)
Bernard Sarra (Navy, Greensburg Central Catholic)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Nick Kwiatkoski (West Virginia, Bethel Park)
Jaylen Coleman (Toledo, University Prep)
Mike Caprara (Pitt, Woodland Hills)
INSIDE LINEBACKER
T.J. Neal (Illinois, McKeesport)
Quintin Wirginis (Pitt, Fox Chapel)
CORNERBACK
Demetrious Cox (Michigan State, Jeannette)
Lafayette Pitts (Pitt, Woodland Hills)
Dennis Briggs (Pitt, Shady Side Academy)
SAFETY
Mike Caputo (Wisconsin, West Allegheny)
Montae Nicholson (Michigan State, Gateway)
Reggie Mitchell (Pitt, Shady Side Academy)
Dravon Henry (West Virginia, Aliquippa)
Anthony Nixon (Maryland, Central Catholic)
Jordan Whitehead (Pitt, Central Valley)
Chazz Whittaker (Toledo, Penn Hills)
Malik Hooker (Ohio State, New Castle)
Trevon Mathis (Toledo, Woodland Hills)
Zach Guiser (Akron, Greensburg Central Catholic)
LONG SNAPPER
Pat Quirin (Pitt, Central Catholic)
KICKER
April Goss (Kent State, Hopewell). Yes a female kicker at Kent State. She has never appeared in a game and may never in her final year. But she is on the roster.