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3 local YSU football players receive scholarships
Hewlett, two others receive scholarships
By Brian Dzenis
YOUNGSTOWN
Jaylen Hewlett was glad his name was called on Saturday.
The sophomore linebacker from Cardinal Mooney said that when Youngstown State head football coach Bo Pelini asks to see a player after practice in the team huddle, it isn’t inherently good or bad.
Pelini took his time signaling which direction Hewlett was heading in.
Pelini asked for four players in a commanding tone: redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Jake Cummings, redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Mike McAllister, junior safety Pat Minenok and Hewlett.
Pelini told the four players that they had earned scholarships and the team cheered.
“I thought we did something — like we were in trouble — but once he said we were on scholarships there was just so much joy in how hard I’ve been working these past few years,” Hewlett said. “It’s a dream come true for any athlete.”
Three are local athletes. Cummings is a Canfield graduate and Minenok is from New Castle, Pa. Their decision to stay home finally paid off.
“I’m from here. My father played here and I grew up around Youngstown football,” Cummings said. “It was easy for me to stay in Youngstown.”
College athletes who play sports without a scholarship are referred to as walk-ons. Typically, those players aren’t listed on a depth chart, are relegated to scout team duties and may not be able to travel with the team to road games.
“You were treated by the coaches the same way as if you were a scholarship player,” McAllister said. “It was something you had to think about everyday as far as what I had to do to get on scholarship.”
All four players’ path to a scholarship was via their special team’s work. Cummings and Hewlett became special teams starters last year.
This fall, McAllister has been putting in work blocking for the field goal unit in addition to his role as a reserve lineman.
Minenok is beginning his first season where he’ll be able to play for the Penguins after sitting out last season because he transferred from Slippery Rock.
McAllister and Hewlett said they depended on their parents for support while they pursued scholarships.
Hewlett said that while he was able to live in a dorm while taking his redshirt year, he rotated between living with his father and mother during the 2018 season. His family lives about five minutes from campus, Hewlett said.
“This was home for me,” Hewlett said.
In addition to the scholarship, the players receive their own personalized back pack, will be able to travel to any game and will receive rent money to find housing closer to campus.
For the players, their mentality won’t change now that their schooling will be paid for.
“I’m going to keep working like I don’t have a scholarship,” Hewlett said. I’m going to keep grinding and doing what I have to do.”