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By Kevin Gorman

Published: Saturday, June 2, 2012, 3:29 p.m.
Updated: Monday, June 4, 2012

RYAN BEDNAR

6-FOOT-1, 280 POUNDS, NT, SOUTH ALLEGHENY

His face covered in blood after smashing his head off the dashboard, Ryan Bednar was strapped to a stretcher and carted away while a visiting Syracuse assistant coach watched.

Not to worry, college recruiters. The scene was part of a mock car-crash during a South Allegheny assembly to warn students against the dangers of driving under the influence.

“It was fun to see a college coach watching what I do to help my school,” said Bednar, an honors student who also serves as the junior class president.

Bednar also helps the Gladiators on the football field, and the two-way lineman is attracting Division I interest on defense. Going head-to-head against Jesse James, a 6-foot-7, 255-pound Penn State recruit, every day in practice last fall helped his cause.

“I've been working so hard on my explosiveness through my hips and body,” said Bednar, who bench-presses 400 pounds and has great lower-body power. “My strength is good and it's only improving day by day. My speed coming off the ball and reaction time to the ball being snapped is very quick.”

Bednar is hoping to draw a reaction from college coaches this summer by attending camps at Bowling Green, Ohio, Pitt, Syracuse and Youngstown State. Bucknell, Duquesne and Robert Morris, which offered a scholarship last week, also are interested.

“Ryan is a non-stop worker who is really difficult to block with one person,” South Allegheny coach Pat Monroe said. “He's a technician, a real student of the game.”

One who is getting a crash-course in recruiting.

1. Gateway’s Jeter helps Pennsylvania down Maryland in Big 33
2. Clairton’s Boyd makes quite an impression in Big 33 victory
3. Cathell joins Pa. Football Coaches Hall of Fame
4. Tri-County all-star football game boasts local flavor
5. Jeter set to represent Gateway at Big 33 Classic all-star game
6. Pennsylvania team set to reignite rivalry with Maryland in annual Big 33 Football Classic
7. Two Gateway players nominated for national all-star football game
8. Heavy mid-Mon Valley flavor on South squad for all-star football game

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