National Letter of Intent Day: Where the MSA Sports Elite Eleven Players Are Headed 2012

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 | 4:43 PM

Wednesday was National Letter of Intent Day where football seniors make their verbal committments official. There were three junoirs that made hte 2011 MSA Sports Elite Eleven. Pat Kugler of North Allegheny, Robert Foster of Central Valley and Tyler Boyd of Clairton will have their day in the sun next year. Here are where the eight seniors on our list are headed to play football at the next level.

RUSHEL SHELL – Hopewell 6-0, 210 Sr. – RB-LB 
PITT

Shell became Hopewell’s No. 1 halfback midway through his freshman season. He became Pennsylvania’s all-time leading rusher midway through the final game of his senior season.

Shell set WPIAL and Pennsylvania records for career rushing yards with 9,078 yards on 1,107 attempts. He also set what is believed to be a WPIAL record with 110 career touchdowns. And maybe the most impressive part of Shell’s resume is that he set a national record for consecutive 100-yard games with 39, breaking the old mark of 38, held by Billy Sims, who went on to win a Heisman Trophy.

This season, Shell rushed for 2,312 yards on 311 attempts and helped Hopewell reach the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals. He had 25 200-yard games in his four years, and averaged 206.3 yards rushing in 44 career games.

DAKOTA CONWELL – Upper St. Clair 6-1, 210 Sr. – QB-LB
ARIZONA

One of the most versatile players in the WPIAL. Conwell was an offensive threat as a runner or passer, but also was good enough on defense to earn a Division I scholarship to play linebacker.

Conwell had 4,085 yards offense as a junior and senior. This season, he rushed for 997 yards on 119 carries and also completed 57 of 96 passes for 1,087 yards. His yardage totals would have been higher but didn’t play in the WPIAL semifinals because of an injured ankle and only played a few plays in the WPIAL final.

DEMETRIOUS COX – Jeannette 6-1, 195 Sr. – QB-DB
MICHIGAN STATE

Cox was one of the WPIAL’s best all-around players, a standout both offensively and defensively. He rushed for 1,263 yards on 133 carries and helped Jeannette reach the WPIAL Class AA championship game. He also threw for more than 800 yards.

Cox’s best position, though, is defensive back. That is where a number of Division I colleges are recruiting him. He is one of the highest-rated defensive backs in the eastern part of the country.

LUKE HAGY – Mount Lebanon 5-10, 180 Sr. – RB-DB
CORNELL

Hagy finished his career as the third-leading rusher in WPIAL Class AAAA history with 4,795 yards. That is pretty impressive when you consider he only played three seasons of varsity football. Most of the leading rushers in WPIAL history played four seasons of varsity football.

Hagy also had 72 career touchdowns. This season, he rushed for 1,907 yards on 287 attempts. He is one of the best athletes in the WPIAL. He is the starting point guard on Mount Lebanon’s basketball team and also an outfielder in baseball.

DILLON BUECHEL – Montour 6-3, 190 Sr. – QB
DUQUESNE

Buechel capped off a terrific career by helping Montour win the WPIAL Class AAA championship. He finished this season 189 of 292 for 2,811 yards and 41 touchdowns, and finished his career as the No. 2 passer in the history of the WPIAL. He was 490 of 811 for 6,899 yards. Only South Fayette’s Christian Brumbaugh (7,162) threw for more career yards.

JULIAN DURDEN – Montour 5-9, 175 Sr. – RB
KENT STATE

Durden played his freshman and sophomore years at North Catholic and his final two seasons at Montour. He finished his career as the sixth-leading rusher in WPIAL history with 5,577 yards on 735 carries.

This season, Durden helped Montour win a WPIAL Class AAA title by rushing for 2,104 yards on 258 attempts. 

KEVIN HART – Seton-LaSalle 6-0, 185 Sr. – RB-DB
WILLIAM & MARY

He was the "Hart" of Seton-LaSalle’s offense and helped the Rebels win a conference title. They also made it to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals. Hart rushed for 1,723 yards this season and finished his career with more than 3,000 yards rushing. He was also an excellent kick returner.

Hart’s father, Mark, was an outstanding running back at Mount Lebanon in the early 1980s and went on to West Virginia. Kevin also will play college football and is being recruited as a slot receiver. 
 

ANTHONY NIXON – Pittsburgh Central Catholic 6-1, 196 Sr. – WR-DB
MARYLAND

Central Catholic coach Terry Totten often referred to Nixon as the best two-way player in the state. He led his team in receptions with 43 this season. He also was a standout defensive back for a team that finished 11-1 for the second year in a row.

Nixon was recruited to play defensive back.

Tags: Hopewell, Jeannette, Upper St. Clair