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WOLF’S MAN?
Marc Kanetsky has the early edge at the QB position.
By Joe Scalzo
scalzo@vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
Photo
Junior Marc Kanetsky has a lot of qualities Youngstown State is looking for in a quarterback — size, arm strength, smarts, experience — and then some, according to coach Eric Wolford. “He might be part werewolf,” Wolford said, pointing to Kanetsky’s hairy legs during Wednesday’s practice.
YSU junior quarterback Marc Kanetsky was standing in the end zone after Wednesday’s practice, minding his own business, when coach Eric Wolford spotted him.
“Look at these legs,” Wolford said, pointing to Kantesky’s hairy legs. “He might be part werewolf.
“If we ever get fleas, we’re in trouble.”
Kantesky just smirked.
There’s a lot of qualities you look for in a quarterback — size, arm strength, smarts, experience, werewolf legs, etc. — and Kanetsky has several, including this one: He’s unflappable.
For instance, when asked when he’s going to shave his budding beard, he shrugged and said, “Tonight. I’ve got a hot date.”
When asked her name, he said, “I’ve got to keep it on the down low. I don’t want to give her too much notoriety around here.”
Of course, unflappability isn’t quite as important as those other qualities (werewolf legs excepted) and at 6-foot, 185, Kanetsky isn’t making anyone forget about Peyton Manning — at least not physically.
That’s what makes the mental part so important. As the only quarterback on the roster with college experience, he’s got a head start on the other three QBs, even in a new offensive system.
“Everything’s pre-snap,” he said. “I know what’s going to happen with the defense. Once it happens, if it happens, I know where I’m going [with the ball] and if it doesn’t, I know where I should be going.”
Case in point. After leading the first-team offense to a missed field goal on the first drive, Kanetsky drove the Penguins down the field again on his second opportunity. He found freshman tight end Carson Sharbaugh in the back corner of the end zone for a 5-yard TD pass, releasing the ball before Sharbaugh broke open, not after.
“ It’s kind of weird in spring because you’re building on what you know already and you’re adding more things every day,” he said. “So once you get one thing down, there’s a lot more new things to learn, but feel like I’m getting better. Moving forward.”
Kanetsky, a Hubbard High graduate, set school records for career passing yards (5,042) and touchdowns (47), earning all-conference honors in three sports. He also graduated with a 4.0 average — something he’s maintained in his three semesters at YSU, where he has a full ride for academics — and was class valedictorian.
“I’m pretty good-looking, too,” he said, smiling.
He saw game action as a true freshman, completing 4 of 11 passes. Then, last season, he got the start in front of starter Brandon Summers in the finale against North Dakota State, completing 3 of 4 passes for 30 yards and a TD on the opening drive before giving way to Summers.
“Last year, the whole season was kind of put on Brandon’s shoulders in a way,” he said. “If he was going to do good, we were going to do good. We were going to go with him no matter what happens.
“I feel like I was there in case we needed me, but at the same time I was ready to play.”
With two redshirt freshmen (Kurt Hess and Gannon Hulea) and a true freshman (Meiko Locksley) as the only other quarterbacks on the roster, Kanetsky is hoping to use the 15 spring practices to prove he’s not just the best QB on the roster, but also that the new coaching staff shouldn’t try to bring in a transfer this summer.
Wolford doesn’t expect Kanetsky to dominate the game, just manage it.
“He’s doing a good job,” Wolford said. “He’s managing the football game. I think we had only one delay of game penalty when he was in there.
“We’re going to continue to push him. We’ve got to get him as much experience and reps as we can because Penn State’s not going to care. They’re going to come after him.”
That’s fine with Kanetsky.
“Obviously, you want to be the guy,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
“I feel like I have a chip on my shoulder. I want to come out and show that I can play.”