Local 2017 ATH Geno Stone talks Pitt visit, potential offer
Local 2017 New Castle (Pa.) safety Geno Stone has been receiving attention from Pitt and Penn State as of late. Could the standout Pittsburgh-area athlete add offers to his list as the year goes on?
2017 New Castle (Pa.) athlete Geno Stone is one of the area’s more intriguing prospect. The local standout has captured offers from schools like Kent State, Navy, Army, and Yale, with regional programs like Robert Morris and Duquesne offering as well.
Stone is a 6-foot, 188-pound prospect who plays at both safety and quarterback at the high school level, but likely projects as a defensive back for the college ranks. As of late, the in-state Power Five programs Pitt and Penn State have both been showing increased attention to Stone, and he’s visited both campuses, including the match-up between the two at Pitt.
“It was great just seeing that many people at Heinz Field for the game and how passionate everyone was about the Pitt-Penn State rivalry,” Stone said.
Stoned noted that Pitt, Penn State, Kent State, Navy, and Robert Morris are the programs contacting him most frequently and schools project him to play either safety or corner at the college level. He has no preference between the positions in the defensive secondary and will play wherever is asked of him. Stone hopes that his versatility and athletic ability can yield him an offer from the hometown program.
“[Pitt] told me that they have been watching me closely all year. I’m hoping I get an offer from them soon,” Stone said. “I try to stay in contact with them like every week or every two weeks. It’s a good relationship.”
An offer from Pitt would be an important one for Stone. Not just because of the impact of receiving another scholarship or his first offer from a Power Five school, but rather what it would mean to have an offer from the “hometown school.”
“Getting an offer from Pitt would mean a lot, just because it’s basically my hometown school. I would have a high interest in them. I love everything about Pitt,” Stone said.
Stone has taken an increased role for New Castle this season as a quarterback and the athletic ability he’s displayed there has been a key part in his increased attention from Division I programs.
“So far it's been a great process from changing over to quarterback this year and playing a bigger role. My performance has been a big key this year because of my playmaking ability on the offensive side and defensive,” Stone said. “I’ve been able to be in charge of the offense and make sure everyone is doing their job. I’ve also getting to the ball on defense and making either a big hit or intercepting the ball.”
Other schools offering Stone besides those listed above include Alabany, Colgate, Columbia, Delaware, Harvard, Holy Cross, Lehigh, New Hampshire, and Stony Brook. Check in with Panther-Lair for more updates on his recruitment and senior season.