Andrews follows pipeline to Youngstown St.
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
It’s safe to say there should just be a one-way street starting in McKeesport and ending in the heart of Youngstown, Ohio.
With the addition of two players this fall, the Penguins football program will have four former McKeesport Tigers on their roster.
One of those joining former standouts Antoine Cook and JJ Harper will be defensive back Vernon Andrews III. The other is wide receiver-tight end Deamontae Diggs.
Andrews, who is 5-11 and 165 pounds, was Mr. Versatility for the Tigers this past season, helping lead them to a 9-4 record and a trip to the WPIAL semifinals.
“I really think that’s the thing that attracted them to Vern, it was his versatility,” McKeesport head coach Matt Miller said. “He’s out there catching punts, returning kickoffs, playing wingback, playing split end. But defensively, he’s a great tackler at cornerback and plays bigger than he is. He’s athletic and hard working and he was always willing to do anything we needed him to do.”
Andrews, the son of Kiwanna Mouzon and Vernon Andrews, chose Youngstown State over Sacred Heart, Edinboro, Cal U and Seton Hill.
“I chose Youngstown State because I felt like they were the team that I could really get a ring with and the coaches welcomed me with open arms,” Andrews said. “It was like they knew me before I even got in contact with them. They made me feel like Youngstown is the place I could call home for the next four years and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
“When I talked to the coaching staff, they told me I was the most electrifying player on the field because of my speed and elusiveness to get away from defenders. They liked how fast I am and how much power I can bring.”
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