WPIAL
WPIAL Recruiting Wraparound: Two Class 6A Players Commit to Division I Programs
The WPIAL Recruiting Wraparound takes stock of the latest news in football recruiting within the WPIAL and City League.
It is that time of year where high school football recruits in the 2026 class across the country start locking in with commitments to Division I programs and that includes players right here in Western Pennsylvania.
Up until Thursday, only two WPIAL juniors announced their commitments with Fort Cherry safety Matt Sieg and Imani Christian Academy defensive back David Davis both making verbal pledges to Penn State.
In the span of two days, two more recruits announced their decisions with both coming out of the WPIAL 6A classification.
Canon-McMillan athlete TJ Sabatucci committed to the University of Buffalo on Thursday.
I am extremely excited to be a Bull! Thank you to all the coaches at Buffalo for believing in me and giving me this opportunity! I would also like to thank my parents, teammates, and coaches of all sports! #UBHORNSUP @UBFootball @Pete_Lembo @BigMacsFootball pic.twitter.com/gEqmOfXcAz
— TJ Sabatucci (@SabatucciTJ2026) April 3, 2025
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder offers versatility by lining up as at tight end, halfback and on the defensive side as an edge rusher. He selected Buffalo over other offers such as Fordham, Akron, Toledo and Miami (OH).
Sabatucci earned First Team All-Conference honors as a tight end in 2024. According to MaxPreps, he recorded 17 receptions for 226 yards (13.3 avg.) and three touchdowns in nine games. On the defensive front, he registered 38 total tackles (27 solo), five tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions.
Buffalo landed a trio of Pittsburgh area talent in the 2025 class with Woodlands Hills’ George Hill, Elizabeth Forward’s Christopher Climes and University Prep’s Xair Stevenson.
On Friday, Mt. Lebanon athlete Patrick Smith Jr. revealed he is headed to the Ivy League with his commitment to the University of Penn. Smith held other offers from Brown, Cornell and Columbia.
I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Pennsylvania! #goquakers @PennFB @CoachDupont @CoachPriore @mtlebofootball pic.twitter.com/FwTpfKnH05
— Patrick Smith Jr. 2026 (@Patrick13Smith) April 4, 2025
Smith is another player that stars at several positions as the 6-foot-2, 220-pound recruit was the primary quarterback for the Blue Devils and stood out on defense as an outside linebacker.
During the regular season, Smith tossed for 1,472 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 972 rushing yards to lead the classification and 14 scores on the ground. He earned First Team All-Conference on offense.
Smith will join West Allegheny 2025 safety Brock Cornell as the latest WPIAL talent to join Penn.
Division I Offers Extended to WPIAL/City League Prospects This Week
– 2026 Hempfield OL/DL Brock Heisler = Villanova, Navy, James Madison
– 2026 North Allegheny DT Lincoln Hoke = West Virginia
– 2026 Peters Township Edge Reston Lehman = Arizona
– 2026 Woodland Hills WR Scoop Smith = Delaware State
– 2026 Central Catholic Edge Ashton Blatt = Boston College
– 2026 University Prep WR/DB Zion Hauser = North Arizona
– 2026 Upper St. Clair OL/DL Mason Geyer = Davidson
– 2026 Westinghouse DB Kyshawn Robinson = Delaware State
– 2026 Trinity QB/S Jonah Williamson = Lafayette
– 2026 Central Catholic WR Maceo Watkins = Sacramento State
– 2027 Central Catholic OL Jimmy Kalis = Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan State
– 2027 Central Catholic OL James Halter = Pitt, Michigan State
– 2027 Southmoreland QB Anthony Smith = Sacramento State
– 2027 Woodland Hills ATH Malik McCloud = Akron
– 2028 Kiski Area OL Nick Anderson = Sacramento State
Check out all the offers extended to WPIAL/City League players here.
