Leaders emerging for Snow

Canton (Ohio) McKinley linebacker Jewone Snow is keeping his options open on the recruiting market. But West Virginia and Purdue are going to be forces for his commitment.

The 6-foot-3 run-stuffing linebacker has taken official visits to both schools, and has yet to determine if and when he will take his other official visits.

"I am still kind of open, but you could figure that Purdue and West Virginia are a couple of my favorties," Snow said.

Snow visited Purdue for the game against Notre Dame.

"It was a great game," Snow said. "The atmosphere was awesome. I like the way Purdue played, they just let it slip up at the end. It was a great game that could have gone either way. Purdue has a lot of young talent and their are going to compete for Big Ten titles down the road. I like the overall program and the campus. The coaching staff has good relationships with the players, and they stress academics there. They have a lot of younger linebackers, but not a lot of depth at middle linebacker. They told me I can come in a compete for time at middle linebacker."

Jewone made a visit to Morgantown (W.V.) for the Mountaineers home contest against Marshall.

"Really, there are a lot of similarities between West Virginia and Purdue," Snow said. "The only major difference is the landscape and the location. The atmosphere at West Virginia is a bit crazier. It think that is because football is really their thing at West Virginia. But they way the program operates, how they care for their players, the relationships, and the interest they have in me is the same as Purdue. I like West Virginia's team speed on defense. Purdue has team speed too, but I really admired West Virginia's team speed."

Snow said he can't decide which visit he would give higher marks to.

"I kind of think they are equal," Snow said. "They were both great and I am really glad I took official visits to Purdue and West Virginia. I don't know when my next visit will be. I am still talking to Michigan State. That could be my next one. Coach [Pat] Narduzzi called and said they wanted me to get up to East Lansing for a game. I am still considering offers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, and Marshall."

Meanwhile, Snow is preparing to play in the biggest football game of his life. On Saturday, the McKinley Bulldogs (5-4) will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on arch-rival Massillon Washington High School (7-2).

"I just don't want to lose to them again," Snow said. I have never beaten Massillon. There is a lot of excitement for this year's game. People think Massillon is the favorite. We have had some letdowns this year while they have played more consistent. But we feel confident in our offense and our defense. All we have to do is play tough defense and just move the ball on offense, and I think we will be fine."