Penguins' need for linemen filled with new six-pack

One of the recruits is the son of former major league pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock feels he got what he needed with the Penguins' 2004 recruiting class.
The team's immediate needs were on the offensive and defensive lines and the Penguins pulled in six of their 11 new recruits at those positions.
There are three transfers among the 11 and they are players Heacock feels can make an immediate impact on the YSU program.
He also landed four Valley products of whom he is very excited about.
"We feel that we got what we needed this year," Heacock said Wednesday. "We are going to be losing several offensive and defensive linemen next year and we worked heavily on those positions."
Three transfers
The three transfer students coming in, two of which are already enrolled at YSU and will participate in spring practice, are quarterback Vince Gliatta of Canton, who transferred from Penn State, and Monquantae Gibson, a running back from Louisville, Ky., who transferred from the University of Kentucky.
The third transfer, who won't be available until the fall, is Ricky Valenzuela, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound offensive lineman from Los Angeles, Calif., who played at Glendale Community College.
Gliatta, who came here because he wanted to play quarterback and was recruited by Penn State as a defensive back, will be a redshirt freshman and have four years of eligibility.
Gibson, who played his redshirt freshman season at Kentucky last year, will have three years, while Valenzuela, who is the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, will be a junior when he enrolls in the fall.
The four Valley players are offensive lineman Justin Decker of Struthers, defensive lineman Brad Samsa and tight end Chris Kenney of Howland and kicker/punter Brian Palmer of Mineral Ridge.
"We're just so excited about these local kids coming here," Heacock said. "Brian Palmer was destined to become a Penguin, it's all he's ever wanted."
Wrestlers
The other members of this year's class include two outstanding high school wrestlers -- offensive linemen Tyler Booth of New Philadelphia and Josh Tanner of Orlando, Fla.
"They are both heavyweight wrestlers in high school and have to keep their weight down to 275 for the season, but both will be up around the 300-pound mark for the season," Heacock said.
The Penguins also landed 6-2, 245-pound defensive end Jose Galloza from Hollywood, Fla., and Ben Suran, a 6-2, 276-pound defensive tackle from Meguon, Wis.
When asked if any of this class can become an immediate impact for the Penguins, Heacock said, "The transfers definitely, but to ask the freshmen to learn all they have to know immediately about our program is a tough call to make."
Galloza, a two-time Class I-A all-state selection at Hollywood Christian High, had 52 tackles as a senior, including 33 for losses and 12 sacks.
Valenzuela, as a sophomore at Glendale, was honorable mention in the Western State Conference and his team was one of the top rushing teams in the conference in both of his seasons.
Heacock also said there was a possibility another player or two could be added before the start of next season.
mollica@vindy.com