On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, Plymouth Whitemarsh seniors Joe DeSanto and Ryan Bischoff were recognized for committing to play football at the collegiate level.
Ryan Bischoff – University of Virginia (Football)
Major: Biology
Final list of colleges: Virginia, Penn State Rutgers
Reasons for choosing Virginia: “I really wasn’t heavily considering any other school until they were coming 
to me. UVA was great to me. They came to me, they offered, and I figured if I liked the school and I like everything about it, why wait.
“It really is fantastic – the people, the area, the academics, the football program, the staff – I love it. I was down their on my official. It’s a lot of fun, it should be good.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “I originally started playing baseball when I was a kid. A friend of mine reached out to me and said I should try football in middle school. I didn’t really know much about it. I was in seventh grade, I was still learning, picking up all the concepts.
“When I came to the high school, I was put on the jayvee team, and coach Chang – being a great coach – and the entire coaching staff, they enforced a lot of new but understandable ideas about the game. Technique was introduced, and they really taught me.
“As soon as I came up, some of the players on the team said, ‘He can play Division One when he gets older. He could play in college.’ Ever since I met everybody on the team, they were all really good to me. The entire school was, and they just supported me through the whole process.”
Coach Dan Chang says: “Ryan was a three-year starter for us, and actually, the first time I met him was when he was in eighth grade at the middle school. They always play a night game at the high school, and he came up to me. He was the only kid. Usually they’re very shy. He came right up to me and said, ‘I can’t wait to play for you next year.’
“He’s a real focused kid. Ever since he was on our team as a sophomore, he was excellent for us. His work ethic is second to none. Literally, he’s always in the weight room, always working on his feet. He’s a guy that’s really earned everything that he’s gotten.”
About Ryan:
Favorite food: “I’ll eat almost anything.”
Favorite movie: Comedies
Favorite music: Country
Joe DeSanto – West Chester University (Football)
Major: Accounting
Final list of colleges: West Chester, Shippensburg, Bloomsburg, Stony Brook, Bryant
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “Bloomsburg came in a little late, and I had already narrowed it down 
to West Chester and Shippensburg. It’s not all about the division to me. Some people are like, ‘I have to go D-1.’ I would rather experience the school the way I want to experience it and have family the rest of my life with the players I play with than go to a D-1 and not like where I’m at.
“What first opened my eyes about West Chester was I met a guy at my gym, and we ended up having a conversation, and he coached football. He ended up training me, and he taught me a bunch of defensive moves. He said he thought he could make me a better football player, and honestly, he taught me half of the really good things I know. The other half my dad taught me throughout my life. He taught me how to do the moves to get over the guys I get over.
“He pushed my name through to West Chester, and I actually sent them my film. I ended up being the only defensive lineman they gave a scholarship to. I’m happy with that.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “I started playing 
football when I was four or five years old. It started with flag. My dad is probably the biggest motivator in my whole entire life, and he’s the one who got me to where I am. He coached me when I was in flag, and then I moved in the 55’s, and he moved up. He kept moving up until he couldn’t coach me and I went to middle school. He would coach me off the field. He’s been my motivator throughout my football career.”
Coach Dan Chang says: “Joe came over in the spring from Archbishop Carroll, and the first day he came into school, he was put in my class. He’s a great kid. He comes from a great family that’s very supportive.
“Just like Ryan, he’s a very hard worker. He’s extremely inquisitive. He wants to know where he can get better and how he can do it. He’s a very smart football player. For his size, he’s one of the most athletic kids I know. He’s so quick on his feet, he’s very powerful, and as a defensive lineman, he’s got that nasty streak that’s crucial.”
About Joe:
Favorite food: “I like everything. I don’t think there’s anything I don’t like.”
Favorite movie: American Sniper & Anchorman
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Rap
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