- January 31st, 2006, 9:33 am
#2237
Finally an Eastern Penn kid for PAmedic to get excited about:
Dallastown's O'Donnell bound for Libertyhttp://www.yorkdispatch.com/sports/ci_3460710
Wildcat to play at Division I-AA level in Virginia
By STEVE HEISER For The York Dispatch
The Dallastown High School football team struggled to a 1-9 season in 2005.
But that didn't stop college football recruiters from noticing Kyle O'Donnell, the Wildcats' standout running back/outside linebacker.
After sifting through offers from various NCAA Division I-AA programs, O'Donnell has given a verbal commitment to the Liberty University Flames. He's expected to make the decision official tomorrow on National Letter of Intent Day. He will receive a full scholarship to the Lynchburg, Va., school.
"It just came down to the school who showed the most interest in me," O'Donnell said. "They gave me the most attention and had the most to offer. I really liked the coaching staff -- they're really personable guys. And they have a great strength program."
The coaching staff is headed by new head coach Danny Rocco, who played for Penn State in 1979 and 1980, before transferring to Wake Forest, where he played outside linebacker for head coach Al Groh. Rocco later rejoined Groh at the University of Virginia, where he was the associate head coach, before getting the Liberty job.
Liberty is coming off a 1-10 season, including an 0-4 mark in the Big South Conference. Liberty fired former head coach Ken Karcher with one game left in the 2005 season.
O'Donnell, a York-Adams League-Coaches' Division I First-Team All-Star at outside linebacker in 2005, is expected to play that same position for the Flames. He was also a second-team all-star at running back, where he rushed for 789 yards on 189 carries (4.2 yards per carry) last year. The 6-foot, 2-inch, 215-pounder also scored 14 touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 107 yards (7.6 yards per catch).
O'Donnell, who is undecided about his major, said he chose the Flames over Rhode Island, Robert Morris and Lehigh.
Liberty is well known as the college founded in 1971 by nationally known Baptist minister Jerry Falwell. O'Donnell, however, said the school's religious background was not a major factor in his decision.
"It was pretty-much a football-related decision," he said. "But (the school's religious affiliation) is a definite plus. It might mold me into a better person."
Last edited by Sly Fox on February 2nd, 2006, 3:53 am, edited 2 times in total.
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