York High football players continuing to earn NCAA Division I opportunities
Many senior football players signed with college football programs this week, but it's also been an exciting time for some of the YAIAA's younger players.
Two York High football players earned NCAA Division I scholarships this past weekend. Sophomore wide receiver David Warde picked up an offer from Charlotte University while junior offensive tackle Michael McMonigle earned offers from Charlotte, Syracuse and James Madison.
It was Warde's first college offer after a breakout sophomore season this fall. The 6-foot-1 receiver caught 63 passes for 933 yards and 10 touchdowns ― leading YAIAA Division I in all three categories. He had five games with over 100 receiving yards.
With two more seasons of high school football, Warde will likely see interest in him grow. Charlotte has been a Division I FBS team for the past eight seasons and are moving from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference next season. The 49ers went 3-9 this past season.
Warde is also a promising basketball player who is averaging 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals for the Bearcats this winter.
"I always saw something in him. I always liked David," York High quarterback Sam Stoner said this past season. "I knew coming into the season David was going to be one of the most-targeted guys. He's developed really nicely the past few years."
Meet David Warde:How this York County 'super sophomore' receiver became the league's breakout star
On the other hand, McMonigle has been getting Division I interest since last offseason. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle received offers from Marshall and Old Dominion last summer after his first season as a starter. He added an offer from Towson this fall and now has six opportunities after this past weekend.
Still, Syracuse is the first Power Five program to extend him an offer. The Orange compete in the ACC and are coming off a 7-5 season and a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl. Syracuse also has York Suburban graduate Garth Barclay (a 6-foot-7 defensive lineman) in its lineup.
James Madison just moved up from Division I FCS to FBS this past season but went 8-3 its first year in the Sun Belt Conference.
McMonigle has also gotten interest from a number of bigger schools including West Virginia and Penn State. He visited the Nittany Lions on Jan. 23.
More York High football:Sam Stoner taking the 'longer road' and walking on at Big 12 school
The mammoth junior helped West Virginia recruits Jahiem White and Sam Stoner have monster seasons this past fall. He was the top lineman for a team that went 6-4 but averaged 450 offensive yards and 45 points per game.
While White has been the headliner as a scholarship player at a Big 12 school, the Bearcats have consistently sent players to college programs of all levels throughout head coach Russ Stoner's seven-year tenure. Stoner said he believes 42 former York High players have been on college rosters since 2016.
That number will continue to grow. Senior defensive tackle Mikey Gray announced his commitment to Division II Kutztown over the weekend. On the other end of the spectrum, freshman defensive lineman Carmelo McKenzie looks like a budding college recruit.
YAIAA players sign letters of intent
More on signing day:The best Penn State offensive line to come? How Chimdy Onoh boosts 2023 recruiting
RelatedSee where York-Adams student-athletes are playing sports in college
Wednesday marked the beginning of the traditional signing period for college football players after the early period took place in December. A number of YAIAA seniors signed with programs.
Central York: center Danny Pham, receiver Parker Hines and running back Ajani Walker all signed with Division II East Stroudsburg.
Hanover: Quarterback Chase Roberts signed with Division III Susquehanna University
New Oxford: Elias Ernst signed a preferred walk-on offer with Division I FCS Bryant
South Western: Defensive back Carson Trone signed with Division II Millersville.
Spring Grove: Wide receiver Logan Altland signed with Division II West Virginia Wesleyan
York Catholic: Quarterback LeVan McFadden signed with Division II Lock Haven
Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York High football players continuing to earn Division I scholarships
