By Adam Kurkjian
It is good to be on top, and that is where Catholic Memorial is right now in the world of MIAA football.
Coming off an undefeated season and Div. 2 state championship, the Knights are feeling good about themselves, and that bleeds over into recruiting.
Offers are rolling in and there are college commitments aplenty. This past weekend, we talked to CM coach John DiBiaso about that.
We started with junior defensive lineman Boubacar Traore, who recently backed off his verbal commitment to Boston College in order to open things back up. Basically, Traore is giving himself the opportunity to go through the process.
“He’s comfortable at BC, but he wanted to see other schools and things,” DiBiaso said of Traore. “I’m supportive of that.”
Traore at 6-4, 255, has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a major prospect, and he will have other Power 5 programs after him.
Of the seniors, fullback and linebacker Kyle King will be going to Springfield College. Springfield runs the option and King will play fullback there.
Kicker Jack Sokol had a terrific season and will be playing at Trinity. Cornerback Devon Marshall has been committed to Villanova since last year and will play for the Wildcats. Nose guard TJ Roberson will play at Sacred Heart. Offensive linemen Tommy Crean and Ed Ellis are undecided.
Back to the juniors, running back Datrell Jones is committed to BC, as he has been for over a year now. Jones is one of the fastest players in the state. He won the state championship in the 55 meters.
“He’s explosive. He’s fast. He’s very shifty,” DiBiaso said of Jones. “He’s very good on kickoff and punt as well. A home run threat.”
Wide receiver Jaedn Skeete is also committed to BC.
“He has great hands,” DiBiaso said. “He has as good of hands as you’re going to see.”
Running back Carson Harwood had a tremendous season and you’re starting to see his recruitment pick up, too. He has offers from MAC schools, including Bowling Green. He also has an offer from the Univ. of Rhode Island. Things should continue to progress for the 6-1, 220-pounder.
“He’s an every-down back,” DiBiaso said. “He can run inside on first down, outside on second down, and catch the ball on third down.”
Another junior wide receiver, Kole Osinubi, has offers from MAC schools, including Buffalo.
“He could blow up in the spring as more teams see him,” DiBiaso said.
Like Osinubi, Marvens Amazan is a junior wide receiver who has a UNH offer and Ivy League interest. And a fourth junior wide receiver, Matt Rios, is getting interest from the Ivies.
Defensive end Jared Hirschfeld, at 6-3, 270, has a URI offer. Offensive tackle Timothy Bruen, at 6-6, 290, has offers from Bowling Green, UMass, URI, and Eastern Michigan. Strong safety David Afogho has offers from Bowling Green and Buffalo. Linebacker Brady McGowan has interest from all the Ivy League and Patriot League. Quarterback JC Petrongolo has interest from the Ivy League. Cornerback Max Tucker has offers from UMass, Villanova, Buffalo, and Bowling Green.
Of the sophomores, offensive lineman Gerby Lambert has offers rolling in for the 6-7, 290-pounder. Those include BC, Notre Dame, Pitt, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Michigan, and Ohio State. The No. 1 student in the sophomore class, Lambert had never played football before this past year.
Fellow sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Sullivan, at 6-3, 290, is a very good athlete and is getting looked at by all the Ivies.