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Falcons’ defensive lineman commits to YSU
By Tom Williams
AUSTINTOWN
When Fitch senior Steve Zaborsky attended a recent Youngstown State University football camp for lineman, he was hoping to do well enough to get noticed by new Penguins head coach Eric Wolford.
Mission accomplished. Not long after that camp, Wolford offered the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Zaborsky a scholarship to play defensive end for the Penguins.
Thursday, Zaborsky made a verbal commitment to YSU, the first Mahoning Valley player to commit to the Penguins in the Class of 2011.
Zaborsky, who has a 3.8 grade-point average, said academics and the Wolford regime are major reasons why he chose YSU.
“They have a great coaching staff with a lot of experience, which I like,” Zaborsky said. “[Defensive line] Coach [Tom] Sims, who played seven years in the NFL, has taught me so much already in football camps.”
Zaborsky, who will study pre-dentistry, says he appreciates the similarities between Wolford and Fitch coach Phil Annarella.
“They both stress how important hard work, discipline and dedication are,” Zaborsky said.
Annarella said the Penguins are getting a player with those attributes.
“He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop running,” Annarella said. “He’s highly motivated and a very bright student with a 3.8 grade point average. He’s very driven and a real leader.
“One of the things Eric [Wolford] said to me when he first offered him [a scholarship] a couple weeks ago was, ‘He’s the first guy in line in every drill [at YSU’s football camp]. He was hustling all over the field.’
“He’s a worker and just a great, great young man.”
Zaborsky is a rarity among Federal League players — a lineman who plays both offense and defense.
“We don’t have enough for two platoons,” said Zaborsky who added that he has put on 45 pounds since converting to the line last season when injuries to teammates prompted coaches to ask him to switch positions. Zaborsky had been a wide receiver and outside linebacker.
“I knew I wasn’t big enough,” said Zaborsky, who added that he loves how defensive end has him “right in the middle of the mix. Pass rush, sacks, I don’t know any defensive lineman who doesn’t love those.”