‘I Saw Myself at Mercyhurst’: Kaleb Platz Commits to In-State Program

Since the start of 2024, Montour’s Kaleb Platz has garnered the attention from both FBS and FCS schools. However, he focused on his senior season for the Spartans before finally making his decision on where he would call home in college, and it was a place that checked all the boxes.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound middle linebacker recruit announced his commitment to Mercyhurst University, via X. He selected the Lakers over other offers such as UMass, Akron, Toledo, Robert Morris, Cornell, Maine and New Hampshire.

I am excited to announce my commitment to Mercyhurst University to further my academic and athletic career! I want to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for helping me along the way. I also want to thank @MercyhurstFB for this great opportunity! #AnchorDown #AGTG pic.twitter.com/eAuvyu7dc3

— Kaleb Platz (@kaleb_platz) December 18, 2024

“When it came to decision time, it was all about the playing time, the campus, the coaches, and academics. I saw myself at Mercyhurst,” Platz told Pittsburgh Sports Now.

“I really did like the campus,” he added. “I like the coaches. I liked a lot of the things they were saying to me. A lot of the things I saw that I could help the team in. Also, them transferring from D-II to D-I caught my eye, knowing there’s a good chance that I could get there and go make an impact right away. They gave me a scholarship, which ultimately made it easier.”

Platz has become familiar with the program thanks to relatives and friends who have attended the school, along with several visits to experience the campus and football program. He camped at Mercyhurst on July 12, took a gameday visit on Sept. 28 against Frostburg State and most recently was on campus for an official visit on Dec. 6.

“Got to get a good feel for it. Got to see where I’d be at and see all the ins and outs of it that people don’t get to see on my first and second visit.”

Mercyhurst is roughly 130 miles directly north of Montour High School on I-79, making it a comfortable decision for Platz.

Kaleb Platz against Aliquippa. Oct. 18. 2024 // Ed Thompson. PSN.

“That was big for me. Knowing that it’s a D-I team that’s in PA and close to home caught my eye from the jump. Knowing that I’ve had some family and friends that have gone there, knowing that it’s a great school academically,” Platz said.

Since the Lakers offered in July, Platz has built a connection with several coaches from inside linebackers coach Christopher Jones, offensive coordinator Thomas Sydeski and head coach Ryan Riemedio.

“Originally coach Jones was the first person to step out and start talking to me. Once I started to get up on their board higher and higher, especially after the camp, the head coach and I started talking a good amount.

“My recruiting area coach, coach Sydeski, he was another big part. We talked a lot. I always went to him if I ever had a question and he was always able to give me some good answers. Talked my way into wanting to keep pursuing them more and more and it ultimately came down to decision time,” Platz said.

With Mercyhurst recently joining the Division I ranks, it will compete in the Northeast Conference, which features several Pittsburgh area programs in Duquesne, Robert Morris and St. Francis (PA) that boast plenty of WPIAL talent.

“I thinks it’s going to be cool,” Platz said about the familiarity of the NEC. ” I have a few teammates that went to RMU. I have a teammate that went to Duquesne and I know a bunch of kids that are going to all those schools. It will be cool to play some of my teammates and play in that environment and be on the other side for once. At the end of those games, get to chat it up with those players, so it will be a cool environment.”

During his senior season at Montour, Platz totaled 109 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and four interceptions. He is now preparing to translate that talent onto the D-I level.

Marques Council with an errant pass and it’s Kaleb Platz that slides in with the INT.

Big takeaway for the Spartans to close the half. pic.twitter.com/qPC15bCYXB

— Nathan Breisinger (@NateBreisinger) October 19, 2024

“I see myself using my IQ,” he said. “I feel like I’m really smart on the field. I see things before things really happen sometimes and then just trusting my eyes and using my speed, getting to the point where I need to be that. Once i get that playbook down 100 percent, it’s going to be like I was in high school again, making plays and having fun.

WPIAL Football Recruiting Board – Western PA Football Recruiting