Walsh Athletes Sign College Letters

Last week was a big day for Walsh Jesuit athletes as ten athletes signed Division I letters of intent, while two others signed Division II letters.

Leading the way was the football team, which went 7-3 last season, as five players signed on with Division I teams, including one Big Ten school and a Big 12 conference school.

Conner Cook, who is rated as one of the top pro style quarterbacks in the country, was a two-year starting quarterback (and three-year letter winner) with the Warriors, helping the team go 7-3 in 2010 and 5-4 in 2009.  He is heading to Michigan State as one of their top recruits.

Last season, which included wins over rivals Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary, Cook had a 58 percent passing completion rate for 1700 yards and 15 touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry rushing for five touchdowns. He accounted for 2,143 yards total offense and 20 total touchdowns.

Following the season, he was named 2nd Team All-Ohio and 1st Team All-District, and he was selected to play in the annual North-South All-Star Game and the Big 33 Classic All-Star Game.

“Connor comes from an outstanding program in Walsh Jesuit,” Michigan State coach Mark D’Antonio said. “He has excellent running ability, along with a great arm and accuracy. We really liked what we saw from him in camp this year and also when we saw in play in 2010. Connor makes great decisions down field and will be a quarterback of the future. He's an outstanding young man and shows excellent leadership ability, which will serve him well as a quarterback at MSU."

Drew Kaser is heading to Texas A&M University. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Kaser was a punter for the Warriors and earned 2nd team All-District honors following his senior season.

Kaser averaged 44.3 yards on 26 punts (including four inside the 20 and a season long punt of 56 yards). In addition, he averaged 59.0 yards on six kick offs, which included five touchbacks

Kaser, who is ranked the fourth best punter in the country, has a good shot of starting as a freshman as the Aggies punting situation wasn’t that great in 2009.

“Our punting situation was not where it needs to be in the Big 12 and it needed to be addressed again,” Texas A&M coach Mike Williams said. “The onus is on these guys who will earn their jobs this spring. If you make the two-deep in spring, then I know where to place the freshmen. If not, the freshmen will go ahead of you and get the opportunity to see if they play the season in front of you or behind you. That makes spring very competitive."

Vinny Pugliese, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound  was a senior captain, two-year starter, and three-year letter winner will be taking his talents to Ivy League Columbia University.

Last season, he averaged 4.6 yards rushing and 14.3 yards receiving. He also led the team in tackles, assists, and tackles for loss and was named the Army Iron Man of the Year. Pugliese, an honor student with a 3.65 GPA.

Adam Redman, who holds a 3.78 GPA, and is a member of the National Honor Society, will also be attending an Ivy League school, as he signed to take his talents to Harvard. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Redmond, a senior captain, was named Offensive Lineman of the Year.  He also has a number of post-season accolades included being selected to play in the annual North-South All-Star Game. along with being named the team MVP.

Harvard, which produces Rhodes Scholars the way USC does Heisman trophy winners, was 7-3 last season and among the elite of the Ivy Schools when it came to football.

Walsh’s last player to participate in signing day will also be attending an elite school is Reed Remington; a 6-4 defensive end was will be attending Lehigh University. He was named the team MVP.

Lehigh won a ninth Patriot League Championship last season, but loses 20 players.  Reed is one of the big guys that Mountain Hawk coach Andy Coen is hoping to contribute next season.

“We’ve yielded another very fine recruiting class,” said Coen. “We needed to make sure we brought in a number of big guys and continue to add bigger bodies to the program. We’ve brought in a 15 guys who come in at 220 pounds or bigger or project to be there. Those guys are critical.”