Mooney’s D’Alesio chooses YSU

He’s the third area senior to commit to the Penguins under Eric Wolford.

By JOE SCALZO

Vindicator sports staff

YOUNGS-TOWN — Mooney senior Donald D’Alesio will spend the next four years in a familiar place, playing for a familiar face.

D’Alesio, a second team all-district defensive back, verbally committed to Youngstown State this week, becoming the third area player to join the Penguins since Eric Wolford was hired last month.

“I just felt at home,” said D’Alesio. “It is home. I felt like this is where I wanted to go.”

D’Alesio will be reunited with his high school defensive coordinator, Ron Stoops, who joined Wolford’s staff last month as a secondary coach and director of high school relations.

“I’m really excited about getting the chance to play for him for another four or five years,” said D’Alesio.

Ursuline running back Allen Jones became Wolford’s first commitment earlier this month, while Newton Falls offensive lineman Stephen Page became the second local recruit earlier this week.

Liberty offensive lineman Charlie Dann and Mooney offensive lineman Zach Larson have also been offered scholarships to YSU and a few more local players are scheduled to visit in the coming days, including Fitch quarterback Jon Ballard.

National signing day is Feb. 3.

D’Alesio was a three-year starter at defensive back and was a standout basketball and track athlete before this season. An MCL strain in his knee sidelined him for a handful of games during football season, but D’Alesio returned in time to help the Cardinals finish a 15-0 season with a Division III state title.

He twice broke a bone in his wrist during football season and is now wearing a cast, which forced him to give up basketball this winter. He’s also unlikely to run track this spring, preferring to focus on getting ready for football season, he said.

D’Alesio also had offers from Air Force —which he visited last weekend — and Navy, but neither was a serious consideration.

“I didn’t think I wanted to do the military thing,” said D’Alesio. “I give the guys in the military all the credit in the world.”

Besides, his ties with YSU were too strong. In addition to playing home games at Stambaugh Stadium, D’Alesio already knew Wolford from last summer when he was coaching at South Carolina.

The day after he was hired, Wolford was at Cardinal Mooney talking to prospects. In a matter of days, Wolford offered D’Alesio a scholarship.

“Even when the previous staff was [at YSU], I wanted to go there,” said D’Alesio, who plans to major in physical therapy/athletic training. “I want to renew the tradition that used to be there.

“I’m excited and ready to start everything.”

scalzo@vindy.com