A Big East program has received a declaration from an offensive lineman from District 11 in its 2012 recruiting class.
Jason Emerich, a 6’4, 275-pound offensive tackle from Blue Mountain High School, issued an oral declaration to Syracuse Tuesday, according to national recruiting service Scout.com. The Orange were one of seven programs to offer the Eagles’ senior-to-be, including Akron, Buffalo, Central Florida, Connecticut, Delaware and Temple had all verbally offered, and Rutgers was showing interest, but had not offered.
In a weekend conversation with Blue Mountain head coach Mike Brennan, it was revealed Emerich’s decision was coming down to either Syracuse or Central Florida. Brennan said Emerich had really enjoyed a recent visit to UCF.
Emerich is rated by Scout.com as a two-star prospect at offensive tackle and is one of two Schuylkill County prospects with such a rating, joining fellow District 11 offensive lineman Jon Green (North Schuylkill). He is the ninth Keystone State prospect on the offensive line to issue a pre-season college declaration
Blue Mountain enjoyed a 7-4 season and a 6-1 conference mark last season, reaching the District 11 AAA semifinals opposite eventual PIAA AAA champion Allentown Central Catholic. Emerich helped to pave the way for an Eagle offensive unit that averaged 360 yards (231.1 rushing, 128.9 passing) and 35.5 points per game, producing four backs with between 240 and 900 rushing yards and a 1,400-yard passer. The Eagles scored 54 total offensive touchdowns (33 rushing, 21 passing) last season.
Emerich was selected as a 2nd-team offensive lineman on the Associated Press’ 2010 Class AAA all-state team.
