Westmoreland freshmen seeing increased football recruiting attention
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Thursday, March 25, 2021 | 10:33 PM
Say what you want about 7-on-7 football competitions and their merit. College coaches are tuned in to them and are using them to gauge young talent.
Players may be in T-shirts and shorts but they can still display hands and speed.
Freshmen players are among those getting noticed, including a few from Westmoreland County.
Jackson Pons, a Central Catholic freshman who transferred from Norwin, is on the radar all of the sudden due to some recent success with the 412 Elite 7s team.
Gardner-Webb, a FCS program in Boiling Springs, N.C., extended a scholarship offer to Pons, a wide receiver and defensive back.
The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Pons had some highlight plays in recent tournaments, pulling in throws from Jeannette freshman quarterback Brad Birch.
“A new world of opportunities” are now possible, Pons said.
“Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted a chance to play college ball at a D-1 program and Gardner-Webb saw that I have the potential to play at the next level,” he said. “I’m very grateful for that.”
Birch (6-0, 180) also is seeing a surge of D-1 attention. Oregon offered him already and Penn State has taken a liking to his game.
A third area freshman, Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin, is considering entering the 7-on-7 circuit. Although he is doing quite well without it.
He looks to be on the fast track to Power-5 football.
The versatile Martin (6-3, 180), who played running back, receiver and defensive back last season, added an offer from Rutgers to a list that includes Pitt, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
“The 7-on-7 helped me gain exposure by competing against some of the top 2023 and 2024 corners in the country — a few with D-1 offers,” Pons said. “I was able to perform well against them and with my varsity film helped me get interest.”
Blessed and grateful to receive a D1 offer from Gardner-Webb University ???????? #IgnitetheWebb #BringTheJuice pic.twitter.com/ubROqtEG1P
— Jackson Pons (@jackson_pons) March 24, 2021
blessed to receive my 4th division 1 offer from the University of Rutgers @210ths @Coach_Hewitt86 pic.twitter.com/7ZEGniKvMR
— Quinton Martin (@QuintonMartin25) March 26, 2021
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Central Catholic, Jeannette
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