On Thursday, April 4, 2019, eight members of the Neshaminy football team were recognized for committing to continue their careers at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of Rita Dapkey.)
Bobby Buchys – Franklin & Marshall College (Football)
Major: Pre-Med
Final list of colleges: F&M, Brown, Duquesne
Reasons for choosing Franklin & Marshall: “The high academics and strong program tradition influenced my decision. I feel like I will thrive in school and on the football field. Franklin & Marshall is the best fit for me as the education I receive there will prepare me for my future and allow me to continue my passion for football.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “After my junior year, I made a highlight tape and received invites to a few Junior Days and attended college camps. Through my senior season, I kept in contact with many coaches and felt Franklin & Marshall was the right place for me.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Bobby was our offensive MVP because he was the guy that made everything work. For the past two seasons, Bobby has been consistently great at blocking the edge at tight end. He was a leader not only of our team, but our entire school as a class officer. Franklin and Marshall is getting a player who can come in right away and make a difference in their program.”
About Bobby:
Favorite food: Cheeseburger
Favorite movie: The Longest Yard
Favorite music: Country
Tyler Foster – Lycoming College (Football)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Lycoming, Moravian, King’s
Reasons for choosing Lycoming: “The moment I stepped on campus I felt at home and I just loved the atmosphere at Lycoming. Both the coaches and players were very welcoming, and you could tell they were a very tight bunch, and I really loved that.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Ever since I started playing tackle football from the age of five, I knew I wanted to play in college. I just love the game of football, and I want to play as long as I possibly can. The recruiting process started for me after my junior year when King’s College reached out to me. Then following my senior year, many more colleges came into play, and I got the chance to choose from many great schools where I can further my education and athletics.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Tyler was one of the unsung players on our team that made many important contributions throughout the course of the year. He would do a lot of the ‘dirty work’ making important blocks as fullback and was always at the right spot at the right time as a linebacker on defense. Lycoming picked up a player with a terrific attitude who will do whatever is needed for his team.”
About Tyler:
Favorite food: Sushi and Fried Rice
Favorite movie: Little Giants
Favorite music: Post Malone
Marcus Griffin – Wesley College (Football)
Major: Exercise Science
Reasons for choosing Wesley: “I felt that it was the best place to continue my academic and athletic career and also to continue my development into an adult.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Playing college football was always a goal since I first started playing football, and now to be pursuing it feels amazing, but my journey does not stop here.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Marcus treated the position of defensive back as a craft. In a position that requires good technique and athletic ability, Marcus focused on improving himself each practice on both facets. That effort allowed him to be a very productive player in his two years starting here at Neshaminy. Wesley is getting a player that can make an impact right away on special teams, and he always has a smile on his face on top of that.”
About Marcus:
Favorite food: Salmon
Favorite movie: Higher Learning
Favorite music: 90s & Hip Hop
Luke Hitchen - California University of Pennsylvania (Football)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: CalU, Ursinus
Reasons for choosing CalU: "It felt like the coaches really liked me, it's a really good school, and the price of the school was good. I also like the distance."
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? "Going into senior year, I wasn't sure, but as the season went on, I realized how much I really liked football and wanted to play in college and continue playing. The recruiting didn't really start until after Christmas break. I didn't start talking to Cal until late January."
Coach Steve Wilmot says: "Luke was a three-year starter for us on the defensive line. He was a kid that worked extremely hard for us in the weight room and it paid off on the football field. Lining up on the tight end, Luke was asked every week to establish a presence on the perimeter and keep the tight end off of the linebackers. Both are very hard jobs that Luke did very well with. California University of PA is getting a player that will be well liked and respected by his teammates and will work hard to make the most of his opportunity."
About Luke:
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite movie: Wolf of Wall Street
Favorite music: Country
Chisom Ifeanyi – Shippensburg University (Football)
Major: Economics
Reasons for choosing Shippensburg: “It’s a good business school with a good culture.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “The summer of junior year is when I started thinking about playing college football. It was going to be my first year starting at defensive end, I said, “Let’s go.’ The recruiting process started the conclusion of our football season.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Chisom is a player whose best days are ahead of him. Although he did a terrific job for us this year at defensive end, he continues to grow physically and as a football player and a person. Starting in our program as a defensive back, he switched around a couple different positions until he found a home at defensive end where he had a productive year for us. In addition to having a lot of upside as a football player, Shippensburg is getting a great student.”
About Chisom:
Favorite food: Chinese Food
Favorite movie: Friday
Favorite music: Rap
James Koluboi – Lincoln University (Football)
Major: Marketing
Final list of colleges: Lincoln, McDaniel, Ursinus
Reasons for choosing Lincoln: “During my visit, I felt a family vibe, and I really liked the attitude of the coaching staff and the players I met. I felt like it was something great that I could be a part of. It’s also a great school with a lot of historical significance.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “Playing college ball was always a dream for me, but I didn’t start considering it until my junior year. The recruiting started when I was invited to a prospect camp last summer.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Over the past three years, James has worked extremely hard in the weight room and practice field to make himself the player he is today. He has taken a lot of pride in being the best offensive lineman he can be. Lincoln University is getting a fine young man to build their program with.”
About James:
Favorite food: Cheesesteak
Favorite movie: Friday
Favorite music: Rap – my favorite artists are Young Thug, NBA YoungBoy and Lil Uzi
Oleh Manzyk – University of New Hampshire (Football)
Major: Liberal Arts
Final list of colleges: New Hampshire, Maine, Saint Francis, Morgan State
Reasons for choosing New Hampshire: “It felt like home when I was there, and they really showed genuine interest in me while recruiting me.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about playing college football after my freshman season. The recruiting process started after my sophomore season. It started with a bunch of schools coming and talking to me during the winter.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Along with Cory Joyce, Oleh has been the face of the program for the past three years. Defensively, he has been a dominant presence, starting the past three seasons and being recognized with all-state honors as a junior and senior. Offensively, we have been able to utilize his athletic ability at a couple different positions. As a sophomore, he had over 1000 yards receiving and set a school record for receiving touchdowns in a season (15). He was recognized as an all-state player at tight end during this year. As a junior and senior, he helped the team as both a running back and receiver, and was extremely dominant at both. New Hampshire is getting a very talented and unselfish player. His presence on Heartbreak Ridge will loom large for years.”
About Oleh:
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Country
Ryan O’Connor – Moravian College (Football)
Major: Criminal Justice & Pre-Law
Final list of colleges: Moravian, Ursinus, Shippensburg
Reasons for choosing Moravian: “The academics are outstanding, my cousin Matt O’Connor plays basketball for Moravian, and after meeting with coach Pukszyn and talking a lot about things that go farther than football, I felt that the family atmosphere at Moravian was exactly like what I was used to at Neshaminy.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I have always thought about playing college football. It has always been a dream of mine, and it became a big priority once my senior season was finished and I knew that I wasn’t done playing and loving the game.
“Colleges spoke to me going into my senior season and expressed interest, but once the season had ended, myself along with many of our other seniors had a lot of interest from D2 and D3 colleges. The help we got from our head coach with our highlights and contacting college coaches was great, and we are all thankful for that. Ultimately, coach Wilmot and the staff at Neshaminy keep the love for the game in the players, and they keep it fun, which is why so many of the 2019 seniors are playing in college.”
Coach Steve Wilmot says: “Moravian head coach Jeff Pukszyn is getting an extremely good athlete who is very versatile on the offensive side of the ball. In his time at Neshaminy, Ryan has played quarterback, running back and slot receiver. Ryan was an asset for us catching the ball out of the backfield and attacking the perimeter. In addition to his football skills, Ryan’s personality enhances the chemistry of any team he is a part of.”
About Ryan:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: Country
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