Zips Hope to Land 3 More from WPa

[Captain Kangaroo]

With Signing Day only three days away, colleges are scrambling to put the finishing touches on their 2005 recruiting classes.

One last look around Western Pennsylvania shows this is a class that has produced better-than-expected results, as the WPIAL now boasts 27 Division I-A recruits.

That number should increase to 30 when Central Catholic tailback Eugene Jarvis, Monessen linebacker Ernest "Mick" Williams and West Mifflin defensive end Kevin Garner finalize their decisions this week. Both Jarvis and Garner were visiting Akron this weekend, while Williams is down to Akron, Pitt and West Virginia.

The number could be greater, if prospects like Penn Hills receiver David Harvey and cornerback Kenny Lewis, Thomas Jefferson quarterback Brad Dawson, Aliquippa linebacker Donnell McKenzie and Farrell's Quentin Odem qualified under NCAA freshman eligibility guidelines.

Of the 30, at least half will play in BCS-affiliated conferences. Another 14 players are committed to Division I-AA programs, a number that should increase this week.

Here are three players who still are undecided:

Pat Byrne, Central Catholic: The 6-foot, 230-pounder was an All-Quad East guard who also started at defensive tackle for the WPIAL and PIAA Class AAAA champion Vikings. Byrne epitomized the toughness of Central's defense, which was undersized but dominant. As a junior, he recovered from a staph infection to play in the 2003 PIAA final at 176 pounds. As an underclassman, Byrne played middle linebacker, a position he would like to return to in college. He has a 4.18 grade-point average, scored 1,160 on the SAT and is a talented sketch artist who designed the cover of Central's football program. Division III schools covet Byrne, who is visiting the College of Wooster this weekend, but he could opt to walk-on at Pitt.

James Cole, Penn Hills: At 6-foot-2, 350 pounds, Cole was a two-way starter at tackle who was a first-team All-Quad East selection on defense. Cole has surprisingly quick feet, and was so dominant against Woodland Hills as a junior that Wolverines coach George Novak pulled Cole off the bus to congratulate him on a fine performance. Along with J.R. Robinson, Cole helped open holes for West Virginia recruit Ed Collington, a 1,700-yard rusher, and close them on defense. One thing that hurt Cole was his ejection for a flagrant foul in the WPIAL quarterfinals against North Hills, which caused him to be suspended for the Indians' semifinal loss to Gateway. Cole's absence was felt on both sides of the ball, as Penn Hills struggled to run and Justin King broke free for the winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Morgan State is the only school to offer, but Cole believes he can play at the Division I level.

Danny Cafaro, Upper St. Clair: A 5-foot-9, 175-pound cornerback, Cafaro has been overlooked because of his size. Make no mistake, though; he was one of the WPIAL's most dynamic players. He had 30 receptions for 723 yards (24.1 average) and 10 touchdowns, scored twice each by interception, punt return and run. Here is his most amazing statistic: Cafaro blocked 14 kicks in two seasons -- five punts, five field goals and four PATs -- displaying a fearlessness that would make him a special teams ace at any level. Cafaro scored five touchdowns against Plum in the playoffs -- twice each by punt return and interception and once on a run -- and also ran down several McKeesport players from behind in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

It's no coincidence that all three players' teams reached the WPIAL semifinals each of the past two seasons, or that they all might believe that they're better than they actually are.

But here's something college recruiters should consider when finalizing their classes over the next three days: Maybe that's what made them so good in the first place.

[Z.I.P.]

Bye-bye! Mick Williams verballed to Pitt Sunday. Here's hoping we get Jarvis -- especially after watching Darren Sproles at the Senior Bowl. 5'6 isn't too short.