Blue White Illustrated

WHAT HE DID In compiling one of the best quarterback ca- reers in western New York history, Zembiec totaled 6,398 passing yards (61.5 percent completion rate) and 76 touch- downs (compared to 28 interceptions) and broke almost every passing record in Section V. Zembiec led Aquinas to two state championships, the >rst as a sophomore and the second as a senior. Those were the only two seasons in which he started every game, and the Little Irish were unbeaten both years. He missed most of his junior season due to a wrist injury. Having graduated in December with a 94 per- cent grade point average, Zembiec enrolled at Penn State in January and will take part in spring practice. WHAT HE WON In addition to two state championships, Zembiec was named New York's Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. He received a four-star rating from Rivals.com and is considered the No. 10 quarterback in the Class of 2016. He's also listed as the No. 1 overall prospect in New York. WHERE HE VISITED Zembiec earned his Nittany Lion o?er a@er camping at Penn State during the summer before his JAKE ZEMBIEC RIVALS ★★★★ POS QB HT 6-3 WT 205 HOME Rochester, N.Y. SCHOOL Aquinas Institute T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 1 6 junior season. Before committing in November 2014, Zem- biec seriously considered Michigan State. He also checked out Boston College, Florida State and UCF. QUOTABLE Zembiec: "The reason why I picked Penn State is the character of the whole program. Just the way I've been treated there, it's been really positive. It made my family re- ally feel welcomed, and that's the best thing that can happen. I feel like it's a place I really can call home and be comfortable at. Also, something I really am proud about is going out in the community and being a positive leader, however I can." STAFF SAYS Gattis: "We're really excited about him. Having him be a part of our team workouts [during the winter] and watching him compete out there was special, because as freshmen, when they come in as midyear guys, you really don't know where their work ethic and conditioning are at. But he hung in the pack, competed very hard, and we're ex- cited about him. He's a guy who came to [summer] camp multiple times and performed for us. He went on to become the Gatorade Player of the Year this year. Jake is going to jump on in with us as a midyear [recruit] and be able to come out and compete this spring." PHIL'S TAKE With so little experience returning at quarter- back, Zembiec will have an opportunity this spring to show whether he's a viable candidate for playing time in 2016. Physically, he is ready to compete as a freshman. He's a pocket passer but is athletic enough to run Joe Moorhead's o?ense. Trace McSorley will enter spring practice as the pro- jected leader for the starting quarterback job, but Zembiec and Tommy Stevens will supply excellent competition. Mc- Sorley, Stevens and Zembiec are all good enough athletically to excel in a spread o?ense. Penn State football recruiting biographies by Nate Bauer, Matt Herb, Tim Owen and Ryan Snyder Rivals.com

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