Jordan Canzeri  Troy (NY) HS RB coming to Nova.  "Canzeri, who rushed for 2,048 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior, provided Villanova defensive coordinator and New York recruiter Mark Reardon his oral commitment to compete for the Wildcats" Full story below.

Football star Canzeri headed to Villanova <!-- e src/business/templates/hearst/article/headline.tpl --> By JAMES ALLEN Staff Writer Published: 12:48 a.m., Thursday, January 27, 2011 <!-- e ux/timesunion/templates/hearst/article/types/standard_title.tpl --> <!--GD--><!--QYZ 607293051,1348009051;300x250;ipatf;-->  <!-- Site: Albany Times Union Zone: ROS BTF Size: Medium Rectangle --><!-- fac-gd2-noad --><!--XCH--><!--respV:1.0.0,gMdV:1.0.0,serverIp:67.195.166.30,adMdV:1.0.0,crtvId:1374036551--><!--QYZ ,;300x250;ipbtf;--><!-- Begin Adify tag for "MediumRectangle" Ad Space (300x250) ID #1000003028807 --><!-- End Adify tag for "MediumRectangle" Ad Space (300x250) ID #1000003028807 --> Page 1 of 1

TROY -- Defenders had a hard time tackling Jordan Canzeri throughout the 2010 football season, yet it seemed like college recruiters had a hard time noticing just how special a talent the Troy High senior running back is.

But since the Flying Horses ended their season with a 40-28 loss in the state Class AA title game against Rush-Henrietta at the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Nov. 28, colleges began taking notice of the speedy standout.

A flurry of activity surrounded Canzeri over the past 72 hours, but he has decided to accept a scholarship to play his college football for Villanova, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA).

Canzeri, who rushed for 2,048 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior, provided Villanova defensive coordinator and New York recruiter Mark Reardon his oral commitment to compete for the Wildcats.

Villanova advanced to the national semifinals in 2010, falling to eventual national champion Eastern Washington 41-31.

Canzeri was the school's No. 1 recruit at running back.

"He wanted to be on board with what was going on there," Troy High coach Jack Burger said. "There isn't going to be any red-shirt season. They expect Jordan to come in right away and contribute."

Canzeri, who visited Villanova over the weekend, drew a great deal of late interest from Iowa, Connecticut and Indiana. Previously, schools like Temple, Pittsburgh and UConn were involved. All three schools went through coaching changes, and UConn reemerged into the picture behind the direction of new coach Paul Pasqualoni.

Iowa made a late push over the weekend and was going to send a coach to speak with Canzeri.

All along, Villanova was a constant in the recruiting process.

"They open with Temple next year and Syracuse (in 2012)," Burger said. "Jordan is getting close to $250,000 on scholarship. He is very comfortable with his decision."

Villanova has an open invitation from the Big East to join the conference. School officials are still weighing the merits of such a decision, and the Big East may move forward without Villanova.

Canzeri, the Times Union's Offensive Player of the Year in 2010, seems like a perfect fit to play in Villanova coach Andy Talley's no-huddle attack. The senior will sign his national letter of intent next Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. at Troy High.

Reach James Allen at 454-5062 or jallen@timesunion.com.

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