The Atlanta Falcons signed former Pittsburgh Central Catholic star Tre Tarpley on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson.
Tarpley played for the Vikings as a defensive back from 2010-13, helping them to win the 2013 WPIAL 4A title, their first since 2007, in a 27-7 victory over rival Woodland Hills. He also helped the Vikings make the PIAA 4A Title game, where they fell to St. Joseph’s Prep, ending their season with a 15-1 record.
He finished his senior season with 75 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four interceptions and two forced fumbles, which earned him All-State and All-League honors, as well as a spot on the Big 33 Football Classic, which features the best athletes from Pennsylvania facing off against the same from Ohio.
Following Central Catholic, 247Sports ranted him as a three-star recruit and he committed to Vanderbilt, where he played from 2014-17. Tarpley would play as a safety and a nickel back during his time with the program, making 21 starts in 47 games played, making 85 solo tackles, 123 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and getting two fumble recoveries.
Tarpley tore his ACL in his final college practice, forcing him to miss the final game of his career. He would spend a year in recovery before signing with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football in 2019. The league collapsed just eight weeks into the season and Tarpley had to go find other opportunities to play. He worked out at the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie camp soon after, but they didn’t sign him.
He then prepared to play in the XFL, but when no team drafted him, despite performing in the combine, he played for the Austin Generals of the Spring League. Tarpley made 24 tackles, which included three tackles for loss, while also making three pass breakups and one interception in 2020.
The Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL gave Tarpley his next chance, drafting him with the fifth pick in the 18th round of the 2022 Draft. He ranked fourth on the Maulers with 43 total tackles, 25 solo, while also making an interception in 2022.
Tarpley broke out in 2023 for the Maulers, finishing with 42 tackles, 29 solo, while also grabbing three interceptions, second best on the team. He earned All-USFL honors for his efforts last season, helping the Maulers make it to the USFL title game.
He is the fifth Pittsburgh Central Catholic player in the NFL currently. This includes Pitt graduates in Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, along with Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II (Yale) and Houston Texans defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (Notre Dame).
The five players for Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the NFL places them at No. 7 in the country for the high school with players in the league, according to NFLComunications for opening day kick-off rosters. They are level with Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Mich. and Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.
Tarpley is the only Atlanta Falcons player from the WPIAL and the only other WPIAL player in the NFC South is Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders, who starred for Woodland Hills.
