Lineman Joe Silberzweig excelled on both sides of the ball at Scarsdale High.
Now, the 6-foot-1, 280-pounder is set to throw the offensive playbook out the window to join Al Bagnoli's defensive line next season.
He expects to play at nose guard or defensive tackle for Bagnoli.
"It will be a nice adjustment being able to only focus on playing one side of the ball," Silberzweig said.
While in high school, his diverse skill set - good work ethic, excellent play-reading and speed for a big man - helped Silberzweig garner numerous awards and accolades.
On offense, he was named to the All-State Class AA third-team, was a first-team All-Section 1 player and was Lineman of the Year. On defense, he earned a first-team All-County recognition.
Coaches from Patriot League universities like Lafayette and Bucknell and from Division III schools in New England were in the hunt for Silberzweig.
In the end, his decision came down to Columbia and Penn.
Norries Wilson and his staff were the first to court Silberzweig, but Bagnoli soon ramped up his efforts.
"Columbia had extended me an early decision offer, and I didn't want to pass up an early offer," Silberzweig said.
"But I felt like I fit in a lot better at Penn, both athletically and socially. The setting in the city was a big attraction, and that balance with on-campus life was something Columbia didn't seem to have."
Silberzweig emphasized that Penn's winning football tradition was a main draw, whereas sports did not strike him as particularly important at Columbia.
And despite the recent struggles of Bagnoli's squads, Silberzweig was not discouraged.
"They're the same coaches they've always been," he said. "The recruiting has been strong. I know that a couple years ago they lost a lot of games by only a few points, so it may have been more bad luck than anything."
He plans to enroll in the College. While he's not sure what he will study, he said he was leaning toward a Philosophy, Politics and Economics major.
