Versatile Thomas Jefferson star picks Pitt
By Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, June 17, 2006
When Dominic DeCicco wasn't sure where Pitt envisioned him on the football field, the Thomas Jefferson star didn't see himself playing for the Panthers.
Then, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt eased DeCicco's concerns during an unofficial visit Thursday, telling DeCicco he could see him playing multiple positions - in blue and gold.
When DeCicco awoke Friday morning, he knew he wanted to play for the Panthers and made a verbal commitment to Pitt. DeCicco is Pitt's third recruit from the Class of 2007.
DeCicco chose the Panthers over offers from Akron, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Indiana and Vanderbilt. He also was receiving interest from Ohio State and West Virginia, where he attended camp on Sunday.
"I never thought I was going to end up at Pitt. I was iffy about where they wanted me to play. I didn't think they had a set position for me," DeCicco said. "Coach Wannstedt took me to his office, and my questions were answered."
DeCicco is the second TJ player to choose the Panthers in as many years, following all-state linebacker Nate Nix. DeCicco, in fact, went to Hershey to watch Nix play in tonight's Big 33 Football Classic.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound DeCicco is one of the most versatile -- and dangerous -- players in the WPIAL. He has played receiver and cornerback for the Jaguars, catching 41 passes for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns and recording 11 interceptions the past two seasons.
DeCicco earned All-WPIAL Class AAA honors last season, when he had 28 receptions for 589 yards and 11 touchdowns and returned 14 punts for 246 yards (17.5 average) and a touchdown and returned seven kickoffs for 178 yards (25.4) and a touchdown.
DeCicco also has a reputation as a hard-hitting defensive player with a knack for finding the ball and making big plays for a team that has played in three consecutive WPIAL Class AAA finals and won the 2004 PIAA title.
"He's such a versatile player," said TJ coach Bill Cherpak, a former Pitt player. "He can play a number of positions. They'll find somewhere to play him. He has the size and athletic ability to do a lot of different things."
DeCicco runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.6-second range, ran a Scout.com-best 3.85-second time in the pro shuttle and had a vertical leap of 34 inches. DeCicco also bench-presses 300 pounds and did 17 repetitions of 185 pounds at the Nike Training Camp at Ohio State.
He is projected to start his college career as a receiver or safety, but many scouts expect him to grow into a tight end or outside linebacker.
"It really doesn't matter," DeCicco said. "That wasn't a big factor. I would like to play safety or receiver, but if I get too big, I'll be just as happy at linebacker or tight end. Right now, it's up in the air. It depends on where I think I can get on the field quicker."
DeCicco's commitment was welcome news for the Panthers after Perry cornerback Jared Williams reneged on his commitment Wednesday. It could also help soften the blow if Greensburg Central Catholic receiver-safety Nick Sukay, who has narrowed his choices to Pitt, Penn State and Notre Dame, chooses the Nittany Lions.
Don't look for DeCicco to have a change of heart.
"I talked to my dad (Dom Sr.) and told him, 'I'm not going to change my mind,'" DeCicco said. "This is the school I want to go to. I was more comfortable here than anywhere else. Everything was top-notch. It seemed perfect."
Kevin Gorman can be reached at
[email protected] or (412) 320-7812.
