Alessi, Schuler commit to YSU

February 2, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

By Curtis Pulliam

Youngstown

Mark Schuler didn’t want to have the fear of missing out when it came to the hype surrounding Youngstown State football these days.

So he committed to joining the football program.

“I’m really excited,” Schuler said. “With all the new changes including [President] Jim Tressel and [head coach Bo] Pelini, there is a lot of energy and excitement. I feel like it is the place to be the next couple of years.”

The Springfield Tigers standout tight end had other offers to play college football including Ivy League schools.

“You can’t go wrong with a kid like Mark,” said Springfield head coach Sean Guerriero, who was a YSU wide receiver when Tressel coached the Penguins.

Location was a big factor for Schuler.

“Being able to play so close to home is great,” he said. “It will be easier for my brothers, family and friends to come watch me play. That was important.”

Talking to Pelini played an important role in the decision.

“He just generally cares about you,” Schuler said. “On the field, he has a strong passion for the game of football, but off the field he cares about your future as a man.”

Schuler was not the only one to commit to the Penguins.

South Range’s Joe Alessi plans to join him at YSU.

Last season Alessi ran for 2,507 yards and 38 touchdowns and won the Associated Press Division VI Offensive Player of the Year.

“I’m very excited for him,” said Raiders head coach Dan Yeagley. “It is a good thing for South Range and it is good for the local area.”

Like Schuler, Alessi also wanted to stay close to home. Alessi’s final two came down to Army and YSU.

“I’m kind of a homeboy,” Alessi said. “I want to have my grandparents and parents come see me play. That played a big role.”

Alessi said he is a fan of Pelini.

“He’s really easy to relate to,” Alessi said. “I’m just excited to be playing for some of the best football coaches in college football and my community.”

Alessi is not the biggest running back (5-foot-9 and 175 pounds) but he’s not worried about that.

“I have to work as hard as I can to get better every day,” Alessi said. “I just want to continue my success playing. It should be fun.”