'08 PA QB/ATH Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State Verbal)

[johnnd05]

Jeannette's Pryor hopes to thrive with all eyes on him this fall

By Paul Schofield
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 26, 2007

Terrelle Pryor picked up a golf club one day this summer and took a mighty swing at a ball sitting on a tee. The ball sailed through the air and landed past the 175-yard marker.

"That was with a 7-iron; I killed it," Pryor said.

Pryor is one of those rare athletes who can do almost anything and do it well. He was also an excellent baseball player when he was younger and is one of the top two-sport high school athletes (football and basketball) in the country.

College coaches in both sports are eager to acquire his services, and Pryor has talked about playing both in college.

The Jeannette senior is ranked No. 1 nationally in football by many scouting services and is a top-30 basketball player. This past year, some of the best college football coaches in the country have visited Pryor.

Jeannette football coach Ray Reitz said he expects the circus-like atmosphere to get worse over the next few months.

Pryor has trimmed his final choices to 12: Ohio State, Texas, Florida, Southern Cal, Alabama, West Virginia, Penn State, Tennessee, Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Michigan State. Still, he knows other schools will try to recruit him.

Pryor has yet to announce which five schools he will visit, and he is mum on his favorites. He has everyone guessing, and he said he won't reveal his choice until the Feb. 6 letter-of-intent signing date.

The 6-foot-6, 221-pound Pryor has been compared to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young for his running and throwing ability. Young, who led Texas to a national championship, was named the National High School Player of the Year by Parade and Student Sports magazines.

Young recently called Pryor to chat. Pryor missed the call, so Young left him a long message. The call left an impression on Pryor, who's hoping Young calls back.

"He wanted to talk to me because all the people are comparing me to him. ... He seems like a nice guy," Pryor said. "He's a guy I looked up to.

"He told me to play your game and let the game come to you. When he told me that, it made a lot of sense. He said play and be ready for anything."

That's what Pryor is planning this season.

He hopes to have another banner year after helping lead Jeannette to a WPIAL Class AA title and a second-place finish in the state last season. He rushed for 1,676 yards and 29 touchdowns and completed 92-of-163 passes for 1,732 yards and 15 scores.

Some of his best games were in the postseason, including electrifying runs against Aliquippa, Brentwood, Greensburg Central Catholic and Wilson.

Jeannette is favored to win its second consecutive WPIAL championship -- something that never has happened at the school -- but Pryor says he isn't looking past the first game, Friday against Brownsville.

"I'm not being cocky, but we're not going to take anyone lightly," he said. "All we have to do is come out hit and play hard, and we could be good.

"Nothing is guaranteed. Anything can happen. We have to be ready for every game. We'd like to make it back to states, but there are a lot of good teams. We can't overlook anyone."

Pryor and his teammates have worked hard in the offseason, trying to get bigger, stronger and faster. Pryor recently benched more than 300 pounds and was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.35 seconds, he said.

Pryor's life has been a lot different since earning the scouting services' No. 1 ranking. He's adored by Jeannette fans and pestered regularly by recruiting services, media, college coaches and fans.

Photos and stories about him have appeared in college football magazines, high school magazines and on numerous Web sites.

ESPN was at Jeannette to do a story about him. Jeannette's games will be on television four times, including a game nationally on ESPNU.

Pryor likes all of the attention, except from the recruiting services.

"I don't like all the scouting services calling me all the time," Pryor said. "I want to change my number."

He also says he likes the college coaches he has met during the recruiting process.

"You meet great coaches, coaches who you've seen on TV," Pryor said. "I want a school where I like the coaching staff and players."

Jeannette coach Ray Reitz says Pryor is doing a good job handling pressure. Reitz says Pryor knows what he wants.

"He understands who's with him and who's against him," Reitz said. "As long as he keeps his head, he'll be fine."

Pryor, who signs a lot of autographs, said he doesn't mind the celebrity status.

"Sometimes, I'd like to be myself and have fun with my friends (teammates Michael Matt and Jason Marquis)," Pryor said. "My popularity is good for my town of Jeannette. If I wouldn't sign autographs, people might think I'm giving Jeannette or myself a bad name. I just have to do what I do.

"I wish everyone could experience it, what I'm feeling. It's crazy; people call you who don't know you, and sometimes, it can be overwhelming. Sometimes, it can get to your head, but it's a cool thing, too."

Reitz said Pryor has to rely on his friends for solace.

"Sometimes, he just wants to be a kid and go out and have fun," Reitz said. "There will be more people coming up to him. It could become a circus when the heavy hitters (college coaches) start coming in."

[KamaraPolice]

I can't imagine Texas being on his list of favorites has anything to do with Young calling. Nope, I bet that as an NFL quarterback, Young enjoys staying up to date on high school athletes, especially ones who are believed to have the same type of potential that Vince Young is believed to have.

[GoshenGipper]

Terelle has trimmed his list down to Ohio State, West Virginia, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Penn State, with most believing that OSU and WVU are the favs among that group.

He eliminated Alabama, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and USC.

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

The kid is very good. I saw him play today for the state championship. he was unbelievable. This kid is special. I just hope ND doesn't ever have to play against him.
Go Irish!

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

His teammate was great too. He's just a junior. Great team.

[THegraNDscheme]

Yea Trip i was at his game yesterday too and i def hope ND never comes up against him! And your right that #2 was a solid player too.

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I watched it again on TV after I got home and it was even more unbelievable. How about when the O-Line was lined up on the other side and Pryor ran to the side that was unprotected. The kid is just a great talent.