By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetork.com

Feb. 17, 2009

The Nittany Lions have offered a scholarship to Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney defensive back and running back Braylon Heard.  However, Heard is just one of several junior prospects at Mooney on the Penn State radar screen.

Ray Vinopal is another.

Vinopal was a starter at safety his sophomore year.  He started at both safety and running back during his junior season.

After intercepting two passes his sophomore season, the 5-foot-11 and 185-pound Vinopal had another interception his junior season and had three games in which he made over 10 tackles.  Vinopal also rushed for 1,112 yards and scored 12 times.

“My coaches tell me Jay Paterno talks about me a lot as a safety,” Vinopal said.  “He came through our school.  Penn State is up there on my list.  I’ve been talking to them.”

While Vinopal is very interested in Penn State, he also has a number of other schools on his list.

“I visited Pitt this past weekend,” Vinopal said.  “I liked it there.  Nebraska has been sending a lot of mail.  I sent them my highlight tape.  They said they liked it.  Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan State have been contacting me.”

Vinopal said the Buckeyes have invited him, Heard and a third teammate, offensive lineman Eric Franklin, for a visit this weekend.

“They invited us down on Feb. 22,” Vinopal said.  “We want to go, but we aren’t sure we can get a ride down there.”

Vinopal has given some thought to summer football camps, but much will depend on any scholarship offers he receives.

“If I get enough offers I probably won’t go to any camps,” he said.  “I’ll probably go to Illinois, Nebraska and Penn State (camps) if they haven’t offered.”