McWilson leading Cardinal Mooney playoff charge

Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney is 8-3 on the season and rolls into the regional finals this weekend after upending a previously undefeated Steubenville team in the semis. One of the Cardinal's top performers this fall has been junior safety Marcus McWilson.

"I feel things are going pretty well for us now," McWilson noted. "Steubenville was a good team, as are the other teams we have played."

The 6-0, 195-pound McWilson has notched five interceptions already this season and scored seven touchdowns playing both wide receiver and running back on offense. He also punts and kicks for his team, and also returns kicks and punts. College interest has come mostly on the defensive side of the football.

"A lot of schools have looked at me for safety more than anything," McWilson said. "I play a lot of free [safety] because they move me around, but I could play strong or free."

McWilson has heard that offers may be on the table from a couple schools, but has not confirmed those officially at this point. Two schools appear to be leading the charge in his recruitment with his junior season winding down and they are Michigan State and Nebraska.

"I like [Michigan State] Coach Pat Narduzzi, and I talk to him a lot," McWilson said. "I know they have a good football team and they are having a good season this year, for sure.

"I haven't been to a Nebraska game yet. I think it is a good school. I talked to the coaches because they come down to our school. The Pelini's graduated from Mooney."

Interest has come from several more college programs already, and McWilson was able to take in a game at Ohio State earlier this fall. His recruitment is still young, however, and his current focus is on leading his team through the playoffs.

"I'm not leaning toward any schools because I am just a junior and I've got the rest of this year to make sure where I want to go and look at everybody's graduation rate," McWilson said. "I want to go to a good school that will allow me to do sports and also have a good education."