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YSU’s cornerman
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Youngstown State’s Donald D’Alesio (8) runs through some drills at Wednesday’s practice at YSU Stambaugh Stadium, where the Mooney graduate is making a seamless transition from safety — his position last fall — to cornerback — his natural position.
Donald D’Alesio returns to his natural position
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
As he finished up his interviews after Wednesday’s practice, YSU coach Eric Wolford spotted sophomore Donald D’Alesio, read the coverage and saw the cornerback wasn’t getting any safety help.
“Look at that tan!” he said. “He’s got a tanning bed in his dorm room.”
He wasn’t getting any linebacker help, either. Sophomore LB Ali Cheaib just stood still, cracking up.
“He’s got a little hair on his face,” Wolford said. “He’s a pretty boy. You never thought a Mooney boy would be out here wearing long underwear underneath his pants, would you?”
Oh, and he wasn’t done.
“Look at those guns,” Wolford said, pointing to D’Alesio’s biceps. “He’s got a little bit of muscle now. He didn’t have that last fall.”
Cheiab chimed in, “Those are 22s [inches].”
“No, those are 12s,” Wolford said.
Through it all, D’Alesio just smiled. There are two things every good cornerback needs — courage and a short memory — and D’Alesio displayed both.
He’s been just as solid on the field this spring, making a seamless transition from safety (his position last fall) to cornerback (his natural position).
“We made a good move by putting him back at corner,” Wolford said. “He’s a lot more comfortable at corner. He has a lot more confidence.
“We expect good things.”
D’Alesio, a three-year starter at Mooney, came into training camp last summer thinner than he would have liked, the result of offseason wrist surgery that limited his weight training in the winter and spring. Ideally, he would have redshirted, but YSU’s lack of depth at defensive back, paired with safety Andre Elliott’s season-ending injury, pushed him into the lineup.
“I was a corner all through high school and that’s where I’m more comfortable but I’ll play wherever they need me to,” D’Alesio said.
He played in all 11 games, starting seven at safety, and finished second on the team in tackles with 69.
A sure tackler with quick feet, D’Alesio’s biggest strength may be his competitiveness. When watching tape of him in high school, Wolford was impressed by his ability to shake off a bad play and come back strong the next snap.
D’Alesio (5-11, 185) was listed at 180 pounds last fall but at first glance, he looks like someone who added more than five pounds of muscle. (Wolford’s biceps joke was no joke.)
He said strength coach Mike Cochran put an extra emphasis on explosive lifts in the winter and it’s paid off.
“We’re more explosive,” D’Alesio said. “You can definitely tell we’re stronger and faster as a whole team.”
Penguins defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz uses a blitz-heavy scheme that puts a lot of pressure on the corners to play good man-to-man defense. Consequently, D’Alesio said he’ll spend a lot of time in the film room, studying opposing receivers for routes and tendencies.
He’s looked strong in spring practice — Wolford has mentioned his name several times in interviews — although he missed a few sessions with an ankle injury, including Saturday’s scrimmage.
Now healthy, he’s looking forward to getting another opportunity this weekend.
“I feel like I’m back to 100 percent,” he said. “The training staff did a great job.
“I’m excited for Saturday to get back at it.”