WPIAL Star Colsen Gatten Gives Update on Recruitment

WPIAL standouts such as Jimmy Kalis, Reston Lehman, Ashton Blatt and Lucas Shanafelt have been in headlines lately as they continue to add D-1 offers.

One player that is as talented but has gone a bit quiet is Central Catholic middle linebacker Colsen Gatten.

The 3-star recruit is rated by Rivals as one of the Top 20 juniors in the state and one of the best players in the WPIAL. Gatten’s recruitment started his freshman season and really picked up last year. At this time, Gatten’s list of offers include Pitt, Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

When you hold that list of offers, you’re a big-time recruit, which Gatten is.

Pittsburgh Sports Now had the opportunity to speak with Gatten on Tuesday and wanted to get an update of where Gatten’s recruitment stand and if he had a timeline for a decision.

Central Catholic Colsen Gatten in the PIAA Class 6A PIAA Championship. Dec. 7, 2024 // Nathan Breisinger. PSN.

“I think all the fun time of recruiting is over, now it’s time to get serious with schools that you really have interest in and schools that have shown that they’re really interested in you,” said Gatten. “For me, now is the time to zero in on what the schools can do for you, what you can do for the school. I think your relationship with those schools will play a big part, I think the culture of the school will play a part and I think the history of player development at that school will play a big part. Honestly, those are the three biggest things that will factor into my decision the most.”

“I’m slowly starting to narrow it down. Honestly, it’s my family the most (helping narrow down schools) and my coaches at Central are a big part and are always there to help me out. Honestly, I know that God will guide me the right way in terms of making the decision that is best for me.”

I’m sure the Pitt coaching staff wonders where they stand with Gatten and if becoming the next great linebacker at Pitt is something that is appealing to him.

“As a hometown kid, they’re letting me that I can come play for the hometown team,” said Gatten. “The coach that I’ve been in touch with the most is Coach Manalac. He really knows football and as I’ve come to learn, he’s a really good dude. He’s a really good coach but he’s a better person. I’ve also been in touch with Coach Narduzzi a lot. They were the third school to offer me, so I’ve been in touch with them a long time. Pitt has always treated me right and always treated me well.”

Gatten tells PSN that right now, the programs that have been in touch with him the most lately and have been recruiting him hardest are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Duke, Kentucky and Nebraska.

Recruiting is a tiresome process and with the constant attention and communication from teams, it can get stressful for a teenager. Gatten has a mixed reaction on whether or not he’d like to get it all over with.

“Yes and No. This has been going on for me for a long time, so I think, there’s part of me that wants to get it over with. There’s also a part of me that still wants to enjoy it because obviously recruiting is a good time and can be fun. As a player, I’m only going to be able to experience this once, so I know that I have to take it all in. My goal is to be committed before the start of my senior season.”

Up next for Gatten is deciding on his official visits and he plans on coming up with that list after attending some spring practices and getting the vibe from certain programs and coaches.