Hempfield’s Daniel Sierk commits to Bucknell

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, September 20, 2021 | 7:38 PM

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If you have seen Hempfield play this season, then you’ve watched No. 50 blow up opposing plays for the Spartans.

You can’t miss Daniel Sierk.

The senior just continuously shows up at defensive end. He has been one of the top pass-rushers in Class 6A.

More colleges are showing interest in Sierk, but he is suddenly off the market.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder announced Monday a commitment to Bucknell of the Patriot League.

Sierk also had offers from Penn and Lafayette.

He was recruited by Bucknell for defense and said he will receive athletic and academic scholarships.

Sierk has 18 tackles, four for loss, and three sacks in four games.

“There were a lot of things that just lined up for me,” Sierk said. “Bucknell recruited me the hardest, and was the (best) offer. Obviously the academics were a huge consideration.

“I loved the Bucknell campus/location and the team’s culture.”

He moved from tight end to offensive tackle this year to enhance the Spartans’ running game.

“I think the school and football program suits him perfect,” Hempfield coach Mike Brown said. “The staff at Bucknell is top notch and they are getting a top notch young man. I was impressed on how passionate and determined they were to land Daniel. I couldn’t be prouder of Daniel. He keeps impressing the coaching staff here at Hempfield everyday. Bucknell got a great football player but an even better young man.”

Sierk, known for his smarts and intense demeanor, led Hempfield with 36 tackles last season and had 5.5 sacks.

His parents are from New Mexico, but he was born in Virginia and moved to Pennsylvania when he was 1. His father, Mike, played soccer at Rice. He was a science professor at Saint Vincent for 15 years.

Sierk also is known for excelling in school. He is taking advanced placement classes this year, just like he did a year ago.

Lafayette, Columbia and Carnegie Mellon also showed interest.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield