Mooney’s Trgovcich commits to Penguins

January 22, 2012 at 12:03a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Austin Trgovcich already has won one title for a team that plays in Stambaugh Stadium. He’d like to win at least one more.

Trgovcich (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), an All-Ohio defensive tackle for Cardinal Mooney, verbally committed to Youngstown State on Thursday, becoming the first area recruit to join the Penguins in the 2012 class.

“I just love being home, I love the football here, I love the town and I wanted to stay,” said Trgovcich, who also had a Division I offer at North Texas. “They play good football here and I have a chance to win championships.”

Trgovcich will be one of four Mooney players on YSU’s roster next fall, joining redshirt sophomores Donald D’Alesio (CB), Zach Larson (G) and Eric Franklin (OT). YSU’s co-linebackers coaches Ron Stoops (who was Trgovcich’s defensive coordinator as a sophomore) and Frank Buffano are also Mooney graduates.

“I just like the guys at YSU and the kind of people they are,” said Trgovcich, who plans to major in business. “They just want to win championships and I know they’re capable of doing it. It’s a great program.

“I just want to contribute.”

Trgovcich also visited Duquesne and considered Akron, Fordham and Southern Methodist as well, but YSU’s tradition, distance and familiarity won out.

When asked how he felt to have the decision behind him, he said, “It’s just a relief, not having to worry about visiting schools and talking to coaches all the time.”

Not to mention reporters.

“Yes sir,” he said, laughing. “It’ll be nice not having to answer the phone all the time.”

Mooney went 11-3 this season to win its eighth state championship but Trgovcich is only senior from that team (so far) to earn a Division I offer. That will change next year, when players such as Courtney Love (who already has offers from Nebraska, Michigan State and Indiana) and Marcus McWilson are seniors.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer visited the school on Friday afternoon during a recruiting trip through the Mahoning Valley.

“I expect another state championship from those guys and nothing else,” Trgovcich said. “Even with the schedule Mooney plays, I don’t expect them to lose one game.”