Stream Pennsylvania High School Football on the NFHS Network
 
 

Central York LB/DE Colin Gurley chooses Villanova, breaks down his decision

Tagged under: District 3, News, pfn, Recruiting

| June 12, 2025

Colin Gurley saw his recruitment pick up during the past offseason. Stony Brook, Maine, Colgate, Bucknell, Richmond, Sacred Heart, New Hampshire and Villanova all made a play to land the prized edge rusher from Central York, but it was the Wildcat program that most impressed Gurley. “I chose Villanova before my senior season is because I felt at home there” said Gurley of why he chose to commit. Gurley says he was recruited for a few positions. “I got recruited for Linebacker, Tight End, and Defensive End”. And what is he looking forward to the most after finishing with Central York? “I’m looking forward to building bonds with everyone there on the team and the staff. I also can’t wait to be coached by Coach Rhyne since he played in the same system and was also in the NFL”.

His Panther Head Coach Gerry Yonchiuk says “Colin Gurley plays the game of football as it is meant to be played. He gives 100% effort on every snap and never takes a play off! He is relentless”!

He announced his decision on X:

We caught up with Colin to ask about his decision:

Who recruited you and had the most influence from Villanova?

“Nate Pagan is who recruited me. He was a great guy. He kept everything transparent and upfront. But he was also a really great person to talk to and was overall a great guy. Another huge influence was Forrest Rhyne, my upcoming Linebackers coach. He’s another great guy and was also from the 717 area where I’m from. I absolutely loved the way he coaches his linebackers. He has a ton of visual learning videos for the players which is amazing for me because I’m a big visual guy. So, those two were the biggest influencers for me!

PFN: What are they getting in player like you?

The player they are getting is someone who will work their butt off to get that starting spot to help the team win. While also being a competitive, disciplined, coachable, and a humble player and person.

PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?

The recruiting process for me was great! I was definitely stressed thinking I wasn’t going to get offers going into my senior season, but however I performed and impressed a lot of people at my first mega camp in my hometown York, which set my recruitment off.

PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?

Right now I have been thinking about majoring in education, however I am not a 100% certain that’s what I want to do.

PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?

My parents played a huge role in my decision making. They also knew since I was a kid what kind of person I am and what I would like as a human being. When I got to Villanova’s campus they saw by my body language that this school was for me.

PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the program?

The most exciting thing about Villanova’s Program is definitely the people, and how they are going to set me up for my future and I will have anyone there to go to.

PFN: Tell everyone out there in the football world something they’d never know about you until you told them:

Something a lot of other people wouldn’t know about me is that I’m one of the most humble people but also the most competitive person.

PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?

I wouldn’t say it was one person that influenced me. I’ve had a lot of support in my life of football with my family, friends, and coaches. I think everyone has influenced me to be a great person and a player.

Why do you play football?

I play football because I’ve been playing since I was 6 and I never stopped because of how much I fell in love with it. I love that’s it’s hard and you have to be able to be different than other people to do what football players do. I also have always had the dream to play pro, which is another huge reason why I want to keep playing and make it where those pro players are now.

What would you do to improve the recruiting process?

Something that I would have done earlier in my process would be getting to AFL sooner. AFL is run by Russel Stoner, York High’s head coach. I say AFL because the sooner you get there the more exposure you will get. So, I believe for anyone that wants to play at the football colligate level, you need to get to AFL.

PFN: What is it you’d like all your high school teammates and fans to know about your decision that you might have a hard time saying in person?

To everyone out there that supports me or watches me, I chose this school because of the people. I believe I chose it because of the people is because of everyone in my community and life. I’ve always been surrounded by great people and I would like my next 4-5 years of college to also be surrounded by great people. So I believe I was able to chose this school not only for football but also because of the people that are my supporters.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard presented by NFHS Network
 
GoRout
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
Football Legends board game
 
 
x