Brentwood’s Wells to play at Edinboro

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 23, 2018 | 11:48 PM

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Tanner Wells grew up as a Spartan athlete.

Next fall, he will become a Fighting Scot.

Wells recently signed a letter of intent with Edinboro, where he will continue his football career.

Wells, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound lineman, was a three-year letterman on the Brentwood football team, and was a first-team all-conference selection as an offensive lineman in 2017.

“I was offered by Edinboro in May and they've talked to me every since, and I loved that,” Wells said. “It's a great staff and program, and a great level of football, also. There's a type of grit and edge that Edinboro has and I liked that a lot.”

Wells is one of nine players — four mid-year transfers, four incoming freshmen and one junior college transfer — who will join the Edinboro football program in the fall.

The Fighting Scots compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, and finished with a 7-4 record in 2017 in Wayne Bradford's first season as head coach.

“Our offensive line has improved dramatically and we have great depth,” Bradford said. “We really were looking for an offensive tackle prospect as we graduate Alex Molik and Trey Staunch after this year. We believe Tanner has great feet and balance, and can be a very good offensive tackle in this league.”

Wells, who also considered going to Cal (Pa.), Slippery Rock and St. Francis, plans to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in communications.

He hopes to use his freshman season at Edinboro as a stepping stone to a solid career.

“Next year, I'll be red-shirted,” Wells said, “and I'm looking forward to that time to just build myself and prepare for my following years.”

A dual-sport athlete, Wells was nominated for the Mr. Pa. Football/Class A-3A award. He is a member of the National Honor Society and steering committee at Brentwood, and owns a GPA in the 4.15 range.

“Tanner is a great athlete,” Bradford said. “He is tall, lean and long; (and) a very good student. We really took our time in evaluating and choosing Tanner. He has all the tools to be a great offensive tackle.”

Wells has earned three varsity letters in basketball in high school. Brentwood recently wrapped up the 2017-18 season with a 46-37 loss to Washington in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

“I really enjoyed this year of basketball,” Wells said. “I think we came a long way from recent years, and (we) enjoyed every moment of it. It was a shame to have it end so soon.”

Wells' older brother Marc is a 6-8 junior forward in the Chatham men's basketball program.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood