43
Novotny, Markota commit to YSU
Photo
URSULINE - Jordan Markota causes (5) Richie Sanders to fumble as (8) Keil'n Thurston comes up with the ball Friday night at YSU. (! Trevor Smith and 25 Tramain Thigpen) Special to The Vindicator/Nick Mays
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Over the past year, Hubbard senior Blake Novotny was told repeatedly how much he was going to love getting recruited.
“But going through it, there was a huge weight on my shoulders the whole way,” he said. “I’m glad I finally made a decision. It was a huge relief.”
The standout linebacker/fullback verbally committed to YSU on Monday, joining Ursuline linebacker Jordan Markota as the ninth and 10th area players in this year’s class.
“YSU was my last visit and as soon as I stepped on campus, I pretty much fell in love with it,” said Novotny, who chose YSU over Findlay, Lake Erie, Robert Morris and Edinboro. “The facilities at the other schools couldn’t match up to YSU and I like the coaching staff more than anywhere else. And the history at YSU made it nice.”
Novotny (6-3, 215) was a second team All-Ohioan for the Eagles last fall, helping Hubbard go 8-3 and earn a berth in the Division III playoffs. YSU sees him as a defensive end or fullback.
Markota (6-2, 215) was also a second team All-Ohioan, helping the Irish win their third straight Division V state title.
“It was a tough process,” said Markota, who also considered Robert Morris, Duquesne and Walsh. “It was really stressful, it was fun, it was hard and it was great at the same time.
“I’m happy it’s over with and I’m happy I get all this stress off my back.”
Markota will likely play outside linebacker, although he could move inside if he packs on about 30 pounds. (His father, who owns the Drywall Barn on Meridian, is 6-4, 260, so the genes are there.) Markota plans to major in business, in hopes of taking over the family business.
“It was too hard to pass up Division I,” said Markota, who will room with Irish lineman Zach Conlan, another YSU recruit. “It’s the best of the best and I feel like I can compete at that level.”
YSU has 24 commitments in this year’s class. The 22nd player, Orangeburg-Wilkinson (S.C.) wide receiver Kintrell Disher, committed on Sunday according to a story in Monday’s (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat.
Disher is the third South Carolina player to commit.
Signing Day is Wednesday.