Younger Posluszny offers Weis commitment to Notre Dame
BOB WIENEKE
Tribune Staff Writer
Nearly five years ago, when the recruiting classes of 2003 were being assembled, a kid from talent-rich western Pennsylvania by the name of Paul Posluszny was dominating on offense and defense.
Posluszny wanted to come to Notre Dame, but an offer never arrived. And as most college football aficionados know, he went on to an All-America linebacker career at Penn State and is expected to be a first-round pick in this month's NFL Draft.
The Irish may have missed on one Posluszny, but it didn't happen a second time. David Posluszny, Paul's younger brother, gave Notre Dame his verbal commitment, becoming the sixth player to commit to Notre Dame's recruiting class of 2008.
"It feels absolutely great," the 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker said Friday from his home in Aliquippa, Pa. "I feel much more relieved now."
Posluszny made an unofficial visit to Notre Dame on Wednesday and called Irish coach Charlie Weis Thursday night to commit. Posluszny made his visit with another brother, Stan, who played baseball at West Virginia. It was during that visit that Posluszny knew his recruitment was nearing an end.
"I just had a feeling inside of me that that was where I belonged," Posluszny said.
Penn State did not put an offer in writing to Posluszny, but the school did make a verbal offer. Official offers came from Wisconsin, Northwestern, Louisville and Georgia Tech.
"But overall," he said, "I just didn't think that anyone could compete with Notre Dame."
The Notre Dame coaching staff cannot comment on unsigned recruits, per NCAA rules.
National signing day won't roll around until February.
Posluszny isn't the only western Pennsylvania linebacker that Notre Dame is pursuing. Andrew Sweat of Trinity High in Washington and Shayne Hale of Gateway High in Monroeville also have been offered by Notre Dame.
Yet another linebacker, Anthony McDonald of Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is expected to make an unofficial visit to Notre Dame next week, and the Irish appear to be high on McDonald's list.
"Something could happen with him too," CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said.
Posluszny is the second defensive player to commit to the class Notre Dame is assembling, joining Chicago-area defensive end Sean Cwynar.
"It's an excellent start," Lemming said. "But I think they're going to need 12-13 more."
Posluszny suffered through an injury-plagued season in 2006 at Hopewell High. He hurt his right shoulder in the third game of the year and then tried to come back too soon.
"So I really didn't have a great year," said Posluszny, who is now 100 percent.
Posluszny is expected to play weak inside linebacker in Notre Dame's new 3-4 scheme, and his 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash reminds Lemming of the older Posluszny.
"They look the same and they play the same," said Lemming, who rates Posluszny a four-star recruit on his five-star scale. "I think Notre Dame could have caught lightning in a bottle."
