Four More WPIAL Alums Selected in NFL Draft

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 30, 2011 | 12:00 AM

Aliquippa and Pitt wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin was the only former WPIAL football player taken in the First Round of the 2011 NFL Draft on Thursday night. One more former high school football star from Western Pennsylvania was taken in Round Two on Friday before three more local players were picked on Saturday before the draft concluded.

Former Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and Penn State center Stefan Wisniewski became Oakland's first draft pick when he was selected by the Raiders Friday night in Round Two with the 48th overall pick.

Then on Saturday, the spotlight shined on a Pitt Panthers lineman and a couple of local players who played their college ball at PSAC schools. Baldwin alumnus and Pitt offensive tackle Jason Pinkston was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 5th Round with the 150th overall pick. Seneca Valley grad and Slippery Rock center Brandon Fusco was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 6th Round with the 172nd overall pick, while another former Aliquippa Quips player, Tommie Campbell, a defensive back from California University of Pennsylvania, was selected in the 7th Round with the 251st overall pick by the Tennessee Titans.

Here is the NFL.com breakdown on the 6'3, 313-pound Stefan Wisniewski:

Wisniewski comes from a football family and has the versatility to be a quality backup at the next level. He has great football intelligence, quickly recognizes stunts and blitzes and is rarely caught out of position. However, he lacks the lower body strength to generate a consistent push in the running game and will not thwart the bull rush in the NFL. He played guard early in his career and can line up at all three interior offensive line positions. Wisniewski has the smarts to make up for his lack of strength and will likely be a later round pick.

Here is the NFL.com breakdown on the 6'3, 317-pound Jason Pinkston:

Pinkston is deceptively athletic and has the football intelligence to make an NFL roster. He does not impress on the hoof, but he understands blocking schemes and very rarely misses his assignment. He also possesses quick feet and the lateral agility to hold up against athletic pass rushers and flashes the ability to generate a good push in the running game. He does not show a fierce competitiveness on or off the field and he appears to be an underachiever. Overall, Pinkston knows the game of football and has enough talent to develop into a quality reserve tackle. He is likely a second day pick.

Here is the NFL.com breakdown on the 6'4, 316-pound Brandon Fusco:

Fusco has the toughness and size to make it in the league as a reserve guard or center but lacks the athleticisms necessary to become a starter. Will face a big jump in competition level coming from Division II but was not intimidated at the Senior Bowl. Can anchor in pass protection but needs to get set quicker and doesn't have the feet to move and slide laterally. Will get some push off the ball when run blocking but has a tendency to play too high and is not productive out in space. Fusco's build, motor, and attitude could make him a late-round pick.

There was no NFL.com breakdown on the 6'3, 203-pound defensive back Tommie Campbell, who started his college career at Pitt before moving on to Edinboro and then Cal U. He will likely move from Cornerback to safety at Tennessee.

Tags: Aliquippa, Baldwin