It worked out pretty well for Saquon Barkley, Jahan Dotson, and other Lehigh Valley football stars over the years.
So, the area’s latest top football prospect is following a familiar path in deciding to continue his career at Penn State.
Nazareth quarterback Petyon Falzone probably made the most popular decision he could have made in deciding to join the Nittany Lions program. He made the announcement via social media on Saturday night with a post that simply said: “Blessed to be staying home.”
After committing to Virginia Tech last June, Falzone de-committed in November and spent the latter part of the college football season and the winter visiting campuses across the country.
He attended Penn State’s home playoff game against SMU in December, but looked at a variety of places such as Rutgers, Iowa, Utah, Ohio State and many others. In recent weeks, he was still picking up offers from the likes of Wisconsin, Temple, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
But in the end, he decided to stay close to home and attend the same place where Super Bowl champions Barkley and Dotson played, as well as past area greats such as Mike Guman, Tom Donchez and Mike Hartenstine, among others.
Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh committed to Penn State in the offseason after originally committing to Michigan.
Falzone, who is considered the No. 177 overall recruit in the country by 247 Sports, the fourth-best prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 11-ranked quarterback in the nation, still has one more season to go at Nazareth.
As a junior last fall, he was voted The Morning Call’s EPC offensive player and received the same honor from the league’s coaches after completing 145 of 267 passes for 2,136 yards and 23 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. He also had 743 yards rushing on 70 carries, averaging a league-best 10.6 yards per carry, and scored eight touchdowns. He was voted by the Pennsylvania Football Writers to the first team of the Class 6A all-state team.
Falzone, who was listed at 6-foot-4½ and 200 pounds last fall, helped a team that graduated 31 seniors from its 2023 District 11 6A title team go 7-4 and make a return trip to the district playoffs.
In a Week 10 game at Easton, a 63-55 loss, Falzone threw for 292 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran for 89 yards and two scores.
Early in the season a game against District 3 powerhouse Wilson West Lawn, Falzone threw for 255 yards and four scores and added 73 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Talking about the recruiting process back in December, Falzone said: “I lean on my parents and my family a lot. Family is always important to me. That’s why I am looking for a school that has a strong family atmosphere. It has to feel like I can go there and I can rely on them just like I can rely on my family. It’s definitely important.”
In a recent social media post, respected quarterback trainer Brad Maendler said: “In my 18 years of quarterback training, I’ve had so many good ones, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a QB who’s as physically talented as Peyton Falzone. On top of those physical attributes is a top 1% drive and work ethic to improve. Still a work in progress but VERY excited about where things are headed!”
Source: Berkshire mont
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