Penn State lost in the playoff semifinals, and the two remaining college football teams are not from Pennsylvania.
However, Monday’s national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame still has a lot of Keystone flavor.
Here are all of the former PIAA/Inter-Ac standouts vying for an NCAA championship on Monday night, which begins at 7:30 p.m. from Atlanta’s Mercedez-Benz Stadium.
NOTRE DAME
Donovan Hinish, DT, Central Catholic, PittsburghWith 4.5 sacks, the junior lineman—whose brother Kurt also played at PCC and Notre Dame—is an important member of the Notre Dame defense.
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, in College Station, Texas, Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman, ranked No. 15, is pushed out of bounds during a scramble by Notre Dame defensive lineman Donovan Hinish, ranked No. 41, during the first half of an NCAA college football game. (Sam Craft/AP Photo)AP
The OL, Peter Jones, Malvern PrepAfter graduating high school with a four-star rating, the freshman has made three appearances for the Irish.
Belle Vernon’s OL coach, Joe RudolphFor many years, Rudolph has been an exceptional coordinator and positional coach, holding a variety of roles at Virginia Tech, Pitt, and Wisconsin, among others.
Penn Charter, LB Jerry RulloRullo, who made his college debut this season and has played in two games, is the grandson of legendary Temple basketball player Genoroso Rullo, who won an NBA championship with the Sixers.
Bishop Guilfoyle, Andrew Yanoshak, translatorFollowing a successful career for BG, the senior has made three appearances overall.
OHIO STATE
Will Howard, quarterback, Downingtown West After transferring from Kansas State, Howard has been a standout player for the Buckeyes. With 33 touchdowns and 3779 yards this season, the former Whippet has a chance to be selected in the spring draft. When Ohio State defeated Texas in the semifinals last week, he threw for 289 yards and a touchdown.
Jim Knowles, the defensive coordinator for Ohio State, talks to media on December 26, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. On December 29, the Buckeyes will meet Missouri there in the Cotton Bowl.Being polite Cotton Bowl by Goodyear
Jim Knowles, St. Joe’s Prep defensive coordinatorPrior to establishing a distinguished career as a defensive coordinator, Knowles was a standout player at SJP. He then went on to play collegiately at Cornell before starting a coaching career.
Associate AD Mickey Marotti, Ambridge’s Director of Sport PerformanceMarotti, an administrative employee of OSU, hails from Beaver County.
St. Joe’s Prep DB Keenan Nelson Jr., who transferred from South Carolina, has five tackles so far this season.
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