Football: St. Joseph's DiRenzo commits to Sacred Heart

J.D. DiRenzo liked the idea of the St. Joseph to Sacred Heart pipeline.

DiRenzo, a top two-way lineman for St. Joseph, on Saturday committed to attend Sacred Heart University on a football scholarship.

DiRenzo will sign his letter of intent on Wednesday, national signing day.

"It just seemed like a place where I could really fit in," DiRenzo said of the school in Fairfield, Conn., that competes in the NCAA Division 1 FCS level in the Northeast Conference.

DiRenzo, a second-team All-South Jersey selection this past season, projects as an offensive tackle for Sacred Heart.

DiRenzo said he had seven other scholarship offers. He said his final choice came down to Monmouth and Sacred Heart.

DiRenzo said he felt positive about Sacred Heart in large part because of the positive experiences that former St. Joseph players such as Pat Casey and Gordon Hill had at the school.

In addition, former St. Joseph lineman Knikeem Lewis, a teammate of DiRenzo's for two seasons, is a sophomore at Sacred Heart.

"I like the idea that there's a little bit of a pipeline from St. Joseph to Sacred Heart," DiRenzo said. "I want to keep it going, maybe add to it."

DiRenzo is the third South Jersey player to commit to Sacred Heart along with St. Augustine all-purpose Zeke Ennis and Audubon defensive back Jahmir Chatman.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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