JOHNSTOWN —
The numbers from Colin Bryan’s senior season at Windber High School look more like video-game statistics than those of a featured runner.
Bryan’s reps will diminish as one of the premier players in the WestPAC a year ago is currently experiencing the demands of Division I college football as a walk-on tailback at Penn State
As the key cog in Windber’s single-wing offense, Bryan – The Tribune-Democrat Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 – finished his senior season with 268 carries for 2,352 yards and he scored 37 touchdowns.
Bryan returned to the tailback position as a senior after spending his junior year at the wing in Windber’s deceptive scheme, which was installed by former head coach Phil DeMarco in 2004 and continued by current head coach Matt Grohal.
He also finished last season with 64 tackles and three interceptions on defense, but failed to receive considerable interest from high-level Division I programs.
Bryan considered various Ivy League and Patriot League programs but opted to attend Penn State and play for first-year head coach Bill O’Brien.
According to Grohal, Penn State football originally asked Bryan to join the team Sept. 3. After receiving a copy of Bryan’s game tape, Nittany Lions coaches asked Bryan to arrive earlier. Penn State’s backfield depth took a hit when tailback Silas Redd transfered to Southern California following NCAA-imposed sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Penn State does not arrange interviews for freshmen football players and when contacted by telephone, Bryan said he was not permitted to speak with media.
“They have him up there and they’re giving him a look at tailback,” Grohal said. “After I sent up the highlight video, they called back within a week’s time and asked him to get up there.”
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Related Photos
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Windber’s Colin Bryan carries the ball against North Star last season. John Rucosky
Discussion
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