'08 PA QB Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State Signee)

[LordJeffBuck]

Bucknuts - Bill Kurelic - 08/27/07

Interview with Pryor's high school head football coach. Terrelle will decide late in the process, possibly at the Army All-American game, but maybe as late as Signing Day. His top schools are Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, Florida, USC, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, West Virginia and Notre Dame. Terrelle will probably take all five official visits.

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Class AA: Five players to watch

TERRELLE PRYOR -- JEANNETTE QB-DB

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor did a lot with the ball last year, rushing for 1,676 yards, throwing for 1,732 and scoring 29 touchdowns, including one as a receiver. But you might see a few new twists from Pryor and his Jeannette team this season. "When you have a cannon, you have to shoot it any way you can," said Jeannette coach Ray Reitz. Pryor, a 6-foot-6, 227-pound senior quarterback-defensive back, is ranked by some scouting services as the No. 1 player in the country. Pryor will most likely be given more freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage this season. Jeannette also can change from a winged-T to a spread formation from play to play. "He's just much more at ease and more comfortable with the offense," Reitz said. "As a sophomore, he couldn't do this. But he can now." Reitz and his staff also met with McKeesport coach George Smith in the offseason to learn more about McKeesport's vaunted triple option offense. Pryor caught on to the triple option quickly. "What people don't realize is he really is like a sponge. He takes in everything you tell him," Reitz said. "I don't know how much we'll use the triple option, but we'll have it." "We're dong a lot of different things this year," Pryor said. "It's a challenge. But the coaches have told me I have to step to the challenge." But Pryor won't be doing some different things only on offense. He plays safety, but will line up all over the field, depending on different situations. "You're going to see him used a number of different ways," Reitz said. -- By Mike White

High School / Jeannette High School's two-sport superstar Terrelle Pryor

Pryor badly wants to play football and basketball in college, too
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jeannette coach Ray Reitz was talking some football over lunch recently when he asked "You ever been in an earthquake?"

This certainly isn't your usual coach-to-reporter talk. Maybe it was just Reitz thinking about his stomach after that school cafeteria steak hoagie and fries.

Then again, the subject was Terrelle Pryor. And when trying to describe this wonder of an athlete, it's best to think of something that shakes you.

"I was in a California earthquake and, when it happens and everything starts shaking, you don't say anything," Reitz said. "You just look at the guy next to you and it's like, 'This is an earthquake.'

"That's the way it is with Terrelle. He does things where you don't say a word. You just look at the person next to you, and it's like, 'Did he really just do that?' "

Terrelle Pryor is a senior quarterback-defensive back at Jeannette and begins his final high school football season in two days. His past plays have been memorable, like the time last season when he leaped over a tackler at the 5-yard line and landed 3 yards in the end zone. Or the time when, as a defender on an extra point, he timed the snap perfectly, leaped over the center's head, landed on his feet and pretty much stole the ball off the kicking tee.

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Jeannette blows out Brownsville - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

By Michael Mallory
TRIBUNE-REVIEW NEWS SERVICE
Saturday, September 1, 2007

When one team has more points than the other team has yardage, it's easy to guess the game's outcome.

Jeannette thrashed Class AA Interstate rival Brownsville, 60-0, on Friday.

Jeannette's defense held the Falcons to just 13 yards passing, but it was the Jayhawks' offense that made the difference.

The Jayhawks set the tone on the first play from scrimmage when senior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, ranked by several scouting services as the No. 1 recruit in the nation, ran for a 53-yard touchdown.

"Our lineman got good blocks," Pryor said of the touchdown. "I just can't wait to get on the field and try to have some fun."

Because the game was a blowout, Pryor left the game in the middle of the second quarter, finishing the game 3-of-4 passing for one touchdown and one interception. Pryor's lone touchdown pass came on a 57-yard strike to senior wide receiver Jerry Harris.

"(Pryor) makes everybody play to the top of their abilities," Harris said.

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Altoona Mirror | Altoona Mirror

Saturday night’s Notre Dame game stands to be a big opportunity for Penn State recruiting. It just got a bit bigger.

Jeannette High School coach Ray Reitz confirmed to the Mirror Tuesday that Terrelle Pryor — rated the No. 1 prospect in the country by Rivals.com — will be in attendance at Beaver Stadium for the Nittany Lions’ clash with the Fighting Irish.

‘‘He’ll be there on an unofficial visit along with our fullback,’’ Reitz said.

A two-time all-state selection, Pryor, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound quarterback, took the Jayhawks all the way to the PIAA Class AA championship game last winter, when he threw for 1,732 yards, rushed for 1,676 more and scored 29 touchdowns. While the other major online recruiting service, Scout.com, doesn’t rank him first in its top 300 list, it does have him second and as the top quarterback.

Most consider Ohio State a slight leader to get Pryor’s signature on a letter-of-intent in February, with Penn State and West Virginia in hot pursuit. Florida and Texas, which developed a quarterback with similar raw abilities in Vince Young, are also in the mix.

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Terrelle Pryor's Recruiting Diary: Touchdown run in script, predicted

Thursday, September 06, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jeannette High School quarterback/defensive back Terrelle Pryor is ranked the No. 1 player in the country by several scouting services and is being recruited by colleges nationwide. Throughout the season and until he makes a college decision, the Post-Gazette will periodically run a diary from Pryor, as told to sports writer Mike White.

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Texas called me Monday. So did Georgia Tech and [Pitt] coach [Dave] Wannstedt called, too. I don't have Pitt on my final list, but he said they're still going to try and recruit me. I like Pitt's coaching staff a lot, but I just don't want to be that close to home. I just want to be farther away. But not too far, either.

On Saturday, I'm going to Penn State for the Notre Dame game. I've been to Penn State before, but I want to see what the crowd is like for that game.

I'll probably meet with the coaches at Penn State. Myself and Mike Matt [Jeannette fullback-linebacker] are going up. His dad is driving us.

I'm probably going to narrow down my list [of colleges] soon. I've decided my first two official visits are to Ohio State and West Virginia. I'm going to Ohio State for the Wisconsin game [Nov. 3]. I'm not totally sure when I'm going to West Virginia. It might be for a Thursday night game.

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The Fumbler: Jeannette putting on a top-rated show

Jeannette (1-0) at Washington (1-0), 7:30 p.m. today -- Jeannette's season opener against Brownsville was such a blowout (60-0) that Jeannette star quarterback Terrelle Pryor carried the ball only one time and threw just four passes. This game shouldn't be a blowout, but that might be bad news for Washington because that means Pryor will get more opportunities to make plays. Winner: Jeannette.

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Pryor gets a lot of help in Jeannette's 52-12 win against Washington

Saturday, September 08, 2007
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor looks to throw against Washington in the first half last night.

Washington coach Bill Britton describes Jeannette's team as "always looking like they're running downhill."

Last night, the Jeannette avalanche came down hard on Washington.

Jeannette's all-everything quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, showed off his talents once again, but the rest of the Jayhawks proved this isn't a one-man show. Jeannette got contributions from a number of players and crushed host Washington, 52-12, in a WPIAL Class AA Interstate Conference game.

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Early deficit awakens Jeannette - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pryor, the highly sought-after senior quarterback, carried eight times for 64 yards and two short touchdowns in the first half. He also completed 4 of 5 passes for 81 yards and the score to Hall before intermission.

Pryor has completed 10 of 13 attempts for 254 yards and three touchdowns this season, and has rushed for 121 yards and three more scores despite being on the field for little more than what amounts to one game. He didn't play in the second half against Brownsville and only played one series in the second half against Washington.

"I really want to (play a full game), but I'm just happy for the young kids," Pryor said. "You can see foam coming out of their mouths."

Rivals $

9/9

From BWI...update on the visit to PSU this weekend which he calls a good trip. Still only sure about officials to OSU and WVU.

[HotMic]

Scout $

9/10

By A. Jardy at the OSU site. Pryor talks about his win this weekend and his trip to Happy Valley. He says that he will take in the OSU vs. Wisky game for sure, and would also like to check out a WVU and Texas game.

[HotMic]

Scout $

9/11

By B Lichtenfels. Pryor talks about his trip to Penn State this past weekend. He was impressed with the crowd and says he thinks PSU would use him like they did Robinson. He will visit OSU for the Wisconsin game.

[holybuckeye33]

ESPN Insider (Free)



Coast-to-Coast: Pennsylvania offense

By Tom Luginbill
Scouts Inc.
September 10, 2007

Top Recruit
Terrelle Pryor, Athlete
Jeannette, Pa.
Considering: Ohio State, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Tennessee, Miami (FL), Georgia Tech

Pryor can do it all and not just at quarterback. Coming Friday, the nation will get an opportunity to see him perform on a national stage on ESPNU as Jeannette faces off against Yough, the only team to defeat it in 2006.

Whether or not Pryor ends up playing quarterback full time at the next level, he could play any spot on the field. Regardless of what college recruiters are telling him throughout the process, his future could also be on defense at end. In fact, we think he could be a first-round draft choice at defensive end in time.

However, his offensive prowess is so reminiscent of Vince Young that it's tough not to envision him running the read-option and improvising with the ball in his hands. There are concerns with him, though, in terms of level of competition and him actually getting to finish games and getting the reps he needs to develop.

His coach Ray Reitz told me this week that he still doesn't know if his team is this good or the opponents are just not up to par. My guess is that it's a combination of both.

Athletically could he play right now at the next level? Yes, but should he? No. He needs to blossom as a passer and develop the acumen it takes to read coverages, make decisions and diagnose defenses at the college level, which takes time.

Also an ESPN 150 basketball prospect, he's a legitimate dual-sport athlete at the next level, but how much attention he places on football, which we believe is his best choice, could dictate how quickly he makes an impact.

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ESPNU To Cover Yough At Jeannette Game On Sept. 14 - Sports News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

POSTED: 4:13 pm EDT September 12, 2007
UPDATED: 6:24 pm EDT September 12, 2007

PITTSBURGH -- ESPNU crews will be in Jeannette Friday, Sept. 14 to cover the team's game against Yough. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 8 p.m. as part of the Old Spice High School Showcase.

Jeannette quaterback-defensive back Terrelle Pryor is ranked as the No. 1 high school player in the country by several scouting services. Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Texas, Florida and West Virginia are some of the schools that have shown interest in Pryor, who is also a basketball star.

Pryor is the most heavily recruited basketball-football player in Southwestern Pennsylvania since Tom Clements, a 1971 Canevin graduate. Clements attended Notre Dame after high school and played quarterback for the Fighting Irish.

Pryor is rated higher in football than basketball. Some basketball scouting services rank the senior guard-forward among the top 50 players in the country.

Check out Pryor's Web page

USA's top senior prospect 'King' of small Pa. town - USATODAY.com

Terrelle Pryor has caught the eye of Southern California, Ohio State, Florida, Texas and West Virginia.

By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY

JEANNETTE, Pa. — In keeping with his regal stature in this southwestern Pennsylvania community, Terrelle Pryor has a tattoo of a crown on his upper, left arm.

"They call me 'King' around here. I just took it as a nickname, King Pryor," says the 18-year-old senior quarterback at Jeannette High School.

This season, Pryor has more than the bright lights of Jeannette's hillside stadium shining on him. At 6-5 1/2, 225 pounds, with big-time speed and a big-time arm, he is in the national spotlight.

Rivals.com, college recruiting website, ranks him the No. 1 high school football senior. ESPNU will televise Friday night's game between Jeannette (2-0) and Yough (1-1). It is Class AA ball in a state where the big schools play 4-A, but Pryor is prime-time.

"Pryor is up there with Vince Young … as far as being that fast and that big with the ability to just dominate a game by themselves," says Mike Farrell, national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com.

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Rivals.com Football Recruiting - From the Road: Cross-town rivals

Full weekend: Jeannette, Pa. quarterback Terrelle Pryor helped his team to a 52-12 win over Washington this weekend. The nation's No. 1 player completed 7 of 9 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns while running for 60 yards and two scores as well. Pryor also had a sack on defense and returned a punt 54 yards. He also had a 40-yard touchdown run called back because of a penalty.

The next day, Pryor took an unofficial visit to Penn State and also announced his interest in possibly taking an official visit to Texas. Pryor was contacted recently by Texas offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Greg Davis and liked what he heard about how he'd fit in the offense.

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Jeannette star under recruiting blitz- PennLive.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
BY ROD FRISCO
Of The Patriot-News

So, is it good or bad to be Terrelle Pryor these days?

We would ask Terrelle himself, but that phone of his, well, it's always full. Full of text messages from friends. Calls from recruiters. Calls from recruiting services and homer Web sites. Calls from media. Calls, calls, calls.

So many calls they have to be filtered through his high school head coach, Ray Reitz of Class AA No. 1 Jeannette.

Pryor, Jeannette's quarterback, is this year's LeSean McCoy, another recruiting pin-up.

Pryor is the consensus No. 1 senior recruit in the nation, if you believe the recruiting yip-yap, which is a very dangerous thing. (Note: McCoy, the former Bishop McDevitt player, was not considered the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2005, although some services had him listed as the nation's top running back, often paired with current Ohio State RB Chris Wells.)

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Rivals $

9/20

From the MSU site...Terrelle discusses his interest in the Spartans. Coaches from Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State have been in to see him recently.

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Rivals $

9/21

By Mike Farrell... Terrelle has cut his list to a final six of tOSU, West Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Penn St. He said that his current plan is to take all five visits and announce his decision on signing day.