McKeesport's McBride picks PSU
By
Kevin Gorman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
During McKeesport's PIAA playoff run, his college destination was the furthest thing from Travis McBride's mind.
Once the Tigers won the PIAA Class AAAA title, however, it didn't take long for McBride to make up his mind.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, who starred at running back and outside linebacker for the Tigers, made a verbal commitment on Monday to play football at Penn State.
McBride chose the Nittany Lions over scholarship offers from Connecticut, Iowa, Louisville, North Carolina State, Rutgers and West Virginia, among others. He is Penn State's first WPIAL recruit from the Class of 2006.
Penn State offered McBride a scholarship last week, as McKeesport was preparing to play in the PIAA final at Hershey. Lions' defensive coordinator Tom Bradley visited McKeesport yesterday to finalize the recruitment.
McBride called McKeesport coach George Smith, who was sick at home, to inform him of the decision.
"I said, 'Are you sure?'" Smith said. "He said, 'Coach I want to go to Penn State.'"
Despite getting limited carries as a wing back in McKeesport's triple-option flexbone offense, McBride was one of the WPIAL's top running backs this season. He rushed for 1,638 yards and 23 touchdowns on 149 carries - an average of nearly 11 yards per carry.
McBride finished with 3,458 career yards.
He also had 10 receptions for 339 yards - an average of 22.4 per catch - and five touchdowns. His 23-yard touchdown reception clinched the Tigers' 14-13 win over nationally ranked Bishop McDevitt in the PIAA semifinals.
McBride also shined on defense, and his 52-yard interception return for a touchdown sparked McKeesport's 49-10 PIAA final win over Bethlehem Liberty. He is expected to play defense at Penn State, which could use him at its "hero" position or as an outside linebacker.
"They can play him anywhere on the field," Smith said. "He can play corner, linebacker or running back, if they need one. You want somebody who can run, who can hit. He's very athletic. Plus, he's going to be big. He's young right now. He's got a long way to go growth-wise."
Kevin Gorman can be reached at [email protected] or (412) 320-7812.
