Villanova And Temple Do Well On National Signing Day
By Joseph Santoliquito
Philadelphia, PA (CBS)—Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey have been fertile grounds for major college football programs, but a growing trend has emerged over the last few years, and that's more college recruits staying home and deciding to play their college football at home, for Temple or Villanova.
Today is national signing and Temple coach Matt Rhule probably couldn't be more pleased. Rhule has hauled in local talents Sean Chandler, a defensive back from Camden, Absegami running back David Hood and among the most prized recruits are Mainland defensive tackle Kenny Randall and Imhotep Charter offensive lineman Aaron Ruff.
Villanova coach Andy Talley garnered a nice group, including Father Judge defensive tackle Eric Drains, Garnet Valley offensive lineman Brandon Hitner, Hammonton wide receiver Alex Padovani, Delsea defensive back Rob Rolle and Souderton offensive lineman Rick Young, among many others from the area.
Here is a list of local seniors that have committed to major and local Division I programs:
Player | High School | Pos.| College
Patrick Amara, West Catholic, DB, Pittsburgh
Dontae Angus, Martin Luther King, OL, West Virginia
Tyler Burke, Coatesville, TE-LB, Maryland
Evan Butts, Episcopal Academy TE Virginia
Sean Chandler, Camden, DB, Temple
Jamal Custis, Neumann-Goretti, WR, Syracuse
Eric Drains, Father Judge, DL, Villanova
Zaire Franklin, La Salle, LB, Syracuse
Troy Gallen, Malvern Prep, Ath., Delaware
Eric Gallo, Council Rock South, OL ,Virginia Tech
Brandon Hitner, Garnet Valley, OL, Villanova
David Hood, Absegami, RB, Temple
Adonis Jennings, Timber Creek, WR, Pittsburgh
John Nassib, Malvern Prep, TE-DE, Delaware
Gerald Owens, West Deptford, RB, Michigan State
Alex Padovani, Hammonton, WR, Villanova
Kip Patton, Norristown, WR-DE, Temple
Kenny Randall ,Mainland, DT, Temple
Rob Rolle, Delsea, DB, Villanova
Aaron Ruff, Imhotep Charter, OL, Temple
Deandre Scott, Imhotep Charter, DB, Arizona State
Ed Shockley, Millville, LB, Villanova
Thaddius Smith, Cardinal O'Har,a WR, Boston College
Jeff Steeb, Holy Spirit, LB, Villanova
Rasaan Stewart, Perkiomen, Valley, DB, Villanova
Hezekiah Trahan, Roman Catholic, DE, Pittsburgh
Joseph Walker, Martin Luther King, QB, Delaware
Steve Weyler, Cardinal O'Hara, PK-P, Villanova
Antoine White, Millville, DT, Penn State
Greg White, West Catholic, RB, Towson
Rodney Williams, Cherry Hill West, DB, Syracuse
Daquan Worley, Coatesville, DB, Penn State
Rick Young, Souderton, OL, Villanova
Joseph Santoliquito is a contributing sports blogger for CBS Philly.
