Trinity’s Phillis commits to Akron; South Fayette’s Plack-Tallerico to Delaware
Noah Plack-Tallerico helped the South Fayette to an undefeated regular season last year with 35 catches for 679 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Ben Phillis led the way for the run-heavy Trinity offense and running back Joey Koroly, who averaged 9.3 yards per carry last season.
South Fayette tight end and linebacker Noah Plack-Tallerico had a busy couple of months dwindling down his 22 football scholarship offers.
Trinity two-way lineman Ben Phillis needed only two schools to come calling before making his decision.
Both Plack-Tallerico and Phillis did share one thing during the recruiting process: they made it a priority to commit before their senior season commenced. They were able to make that happen.
Plack-Tallerico committed Thursday to the University of Delaware and Phillis – one week after receiving his first Division I offer from Akron – committed to the Zips earlier this week.
“Honestly, it didn’t matter to me what position I was going to play. It was just a matter of being able to play,” said Plack-Tallerico, who hauled in 35 pass receptions for 679 yards and 10 touchdowns last year before the Lions were unexpectedly bounced in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs by New Castle, 51-43.
“I want to be really focused on my senior season because it’s the one you remember the most. I wanted to be able to get ready with my team. We have a pretty big chip on our shoulder.”
Plack-Tallerico said his list narrowed to Football Championship Series schools Delaware, Fordham and Richmond, the latter where teammate Ray Eldridge committed to in June.
“He was trying to get me to go to Richmond,” Plack-Tallerico said. “I honestly didn’t consider Delaware until visiting a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t know much about it but heard good things. My mom and stepdad were along with me. My uncle was there. My grandparents also went out. It wasn’t just the right fit athletically, but also academically. Football can go away in the blink of an eye.”
Phillis has been accustomed to changing positions on a year-by-year basis since he began playing football in sixth grade.
Phillis, also a forward on the Hillers’ basketball team, has played a game of musical chairs on offense, practicing at quarterback during seventh grade, playing tight end in eighth grade and serving as both a tight end and wide receiver during his freshman season.
“I was 6-3, 220 pounds as a freshman, so the coaches figured they would use my size as a mismatch on the outside,” Phillis remembers of the glory days of touching the football. “Coach (Jon) Miller came in my sophomore year and said I was moving to tackle. At first, I was thinking to myself that I would never be touching the ball. I was quick to realize there is no better position on the field.”
Phillis’ confidence grew to match his 6-5, 300-pound frame.
After visiting Akron only a week-and-a-half ago, and receiving a scholarship offer, Phillis is thrilled that the decision by Miller has given him an opportunity to play at the next level.
“I feel really confident in my decision,” Phillis said. “It’s just a great atmosphere where I could see myself excelling. When they offered me while I was there I couldn’t help smiling from ear to ear.”