Quick Hits: A look at Western New Yorkers playing college football outside the area
Ohio State
• Doug Worthington, Sr. (St. Francis): A defensive
lineman, Worthington has the best chance among the area's players to be selected in next
spring's NFL draft. He's the top tackler among the defensive line with 29 and also has a sack
and fumble recovery this season.
Arizona
• Chris Gronkowski, Sr. (Williamsville North): He's
the starting H-back for the 5-2 Wildcats, who have moved into the AP Top 25 for the first time
in nine years at No.‚21. Gronkowski has two carries for 1 yard and three catches for 17 yards
this season.
• Rob Gronkowski, Jr. (Williamsville North): One of the top tight ends in the nation (10 TDs in 2008) and a solid pro prospect, he hasn't played this season due to back problems. According to the school's sports information department, Gronkowski started light rehabilitation last week and if medically cleared and the coaches are on board, he could participate in a bowl game at the end of the season. If he doesn't come back until next season, he would be classified as a redshirt junior.
N.C. State
• Curtis Underwood, Jr. (Lackawanna): Underwood is a
halfback for the Wolfpack.
Penn State
• John Urschel, Fr. (Canisius): The Williamsville
native is an offensive lineman for the Nittany Lions.
Maine
• Desmond Randall, Jr. (West Seneca West): A wide
receiver and kickoff return specialist, Randall has 11 catches for 209 yards with a TD and 19
kickoff returns for 442 yards with an 80-yard TD.
• Jeremy Kelley, Jr. (West Seneca West): Another wide receiver who played for the Indians, Kelley has three catches for 76 yards.
Monmouth
• Jeff Brady, Sr. (St. Francis): Brady, of East
Aurora, is the starting inside linebacker for the Hawks. He has 28 tackles and one fumble
recovery.
Duquesne
• Matthew Glose, Fr. (St. Francis): Glose, a tight end
from Lake View, has one catch for a 4-yard touchdown.
• Will Wilson, Jr. (Williamsville South): Wilson is a running back with the Dukes.
• Sean Brady, Fr. (Canisius): The Orchard Park resident is a wide receiver/defensive back.
Cornell
• Andy Wade, Jr. (East Aurora): The son of East Aurora
football coach Tim Wade has played in six games at defensive back and special teams for the
Big Red (2-5, 1-3 Ivy League).
• Luke Tasker, Fr. (St. Francis): The son of former Bills special teams ace Steve Tasker has played in five games at defensive back.
Holy Cross
• Nicholas MacDonald, Sr. (St. Francis): The
Lackawanna native has had a fine season on the defensive line for the Crusaders (7-0, 3-0
Patriot League), who are having their best year since 1991. MacDonald has started all eight
games with 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
• Chris Smith, Sr. (St. Francis): Smith is the team's starting center and anchors an offensive line that has allowed just eight sacks in 2009 for a team that averages well over 30 points per game. He is the son of St. Francis coach Jerry Smith.
• Pat Haidon, Sr. (St. Francis): The defensive back from West Seneca has played in all eight games with 13 tackles.
St. Lawrence
• Anthony Patterson, Sr. (Lockport): A wide
receiver, Patterson has 12 catches for 159 yards for the Saints (2-6, 1-4 Liberty League).
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