On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, North Penn seniors Kaleem Corbin, Shamar Edwards, Jon Haynes, Jake Walton & Julian White were recognized for signing letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f263210720
“Besides them being fantastic football players, they are truly better people,” assistant head coach David Franek said. “This was my 20th season coaching football, and it was absolutely one of my favorites. It was the kids that made it special. Besides the winning and going undefeated until the district final, it was so great to come to practice every day and work with these guys. There was no drama. Parents were fantastic. Not only are the schools getting great football players, they’re getting great people.”
Kaleem Corbin – Millersville University (Football)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Millersville, Slippery Rock, West Chester
Reasons for choosing Millersville: “I chose Millersville because I felt as though I was at home, and it’s an academically-sound school.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I always had a dream to play college football, and from there, I wanted to go to the NFL. I know a lot of people say, ‘Ah, that’s crazy,’ but I don’t really care about them. It’s what I love.”
Coach David Franek says: “Kaleem is kind of my shadow. I always give Kaleem a lot of credit. We talk about mental reps. You can only give kids so many reps. His junior year – he wanted to know what was going on. He wanted to know the scheme, he wanted to know the concepts and he worked at it. He’s a kid with a great motor and a great energy, almost to his detriment at times because he’s always going so fast and so hard. I know Kaleem is going to outwork the other people in the room. I only see success for him. I’m going to hear him echoing in my head, coming off the field – ‘Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me.’ (He was) always saying that because he wanted to be successful. Jon (Haynes) and Kaleem will hopefully bring that North Penn flair to Millersville and let them know where real football is played, and that’s in Lansdale.”
About Kaleem:
Favorite food: Cheesesteak
Favorite movie: Paid in Full
Favorite music: Meek Mill “Respect the Game”
Shamar Edwards – West Chester University (Football)
Major: Public Health
Final list of colleges: West Chester, Slippery Rock
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “I chose West Chester because I was comfortable there. I felt at home.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “College football was always part of the plan. Since I started playing as a child, it was always to continue through high school, college and the next level from there.”
Coach David Franek says: “I call Shamar a fill-in-the-blanks guy. Literally, if you need a guy who can do anything for you – he can return kicks, he can return punts. You could play him at D-end, you could play him at linebacker, you could play him at safety, you could play him at strong safety. He’s one of those special players that only come around here or there. West Chester is going to be so fortunate to have him – Shamar Edwards, a fill-in-the-blanks guy, fantastic job.”
About Shamar:
Favorite food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite music: “Uptown Vibes” Meek Mill
Jon Haynes – Millersville University (Football)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Millersville, Villanova, West Chester, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing Millersville: “I just felt at home at Millersville. A lot of my friends go there, and I just like the plan they have for me when I get there whatever side of the ball I play on.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “When I started playing, a lot of people told me I had a lot of potential. Once I kind believed in myself, I set college as my goal. Ever since, I wanted to get to the next level, and I’m excited to see what (the future) holds.”
Coach David Franek says: “Jon Haynes – I always said when he came to us as a sophomore, I became a better coach. People want to say it’s about the x’s and the o’s, and it’s not. It’s about the Jons, the Jakes, the Julians, the Shamars and the Kaleems. They’re the ones that have to make the plays. Mike Pettine used to say it all the time when he coached here before Dick Beck – the coaches probably get too much of the credit when they win, probably too much of the credit when they lose, but Jon made my room and my job a lot easier. I know he’s going to have unbelievable success either side of the ball wherever he decides to play. I think he is only really scratching the surface of where he can go. I want to congratulate Millersville and Jon Haynes as well.”
About Jon:
Favorite food: Cheesesteak
Favorite TV show: The Wire
Favorite music: Rap
Jake Walton – Villanova University (Football)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Villanova, Lehigh
Reasons for choosing Villanova: “I chose Villanova because when I went to visit I felt at home there. Meeting with the coaches and players, it just felt great being there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “My dream has always been to play football. It doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter how. As a kid, everyone wants to go to the NFL, so playing in college is what I wanted to do.”
Coach David Franek says: “Jake Walton is going to Villanova University. The thing about Jake – you can’t teach what he has as far as his size. That attribute – thanks to his parents and genetics – you can do a lot of things in the weight room, you can do a lot of things technique-wise, but you can’t be given that size. I have absolutely seen almost a 180 in Jake. Just his mindset – I know he’s a fantastic student. His ability to do it in the classroom and on the field and the amount of effort he put into his group, that offensive line group and the unit they had – I said I was so concerned coming into this year losing all our guys, but there’s something to be said about the group bonding and clicking of a unit, and Jake, by far, was the leader of that. I want to congratulate him and his parents and Villanova as well.”
About Jake:
Favorite food: Cheeseburgers
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite music: Country
Julian White – Bloomsburg University (Football)
Major: Exercise Science
Final list of colleges: Bloomsburg, Millersville, West Chester
Reasons for choosing Bloomsburg: “I chose Bloomsburg because I feel like it’s the best fit for me academic-wise and sports-wise. Their offense is similar to North Penn’s offense, so I felt like it was the best choice for me.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I always wanted to play college ball even when I was little. Just watching it and playing it, I fell in love with it, so I wanted to take it as far as I could. I’m just excited for what the future holds.”
Coach David Franek says: “Julian White is going to Bloomsburg University. Not to take anything away from these guys or the countless number of athletes who have gone before Julian, but I can say without a doubt – (he’s) the best leader we’ve ever had at this school. At halftime, if the guys needed to hear from a voice, it was Julian’s that was resounding in that locker room, but you know what – he didn’t even have to say anything. He did it with his play, he led by example. His motor is unbelievable. He’s a three-year starter. I want to congratulate Julian and his family.”
About Julian:
Favorite food: Salmon
Favorite movie: Wolf of Wall Street
Favorite music: Kodak Black “Calling My Spirit”
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