Norwin’s Colin Bruno was one of the first to decommit from Saint Francis when the university announced plans to move from NCAA Division I to Division III.
He took the news hard because, at the time, it was life changing. The football lineman went from blessed and humbled to stunned and nervous.
After all, he was secure in a future with the Red Flash and had hopes of solidifying his deal as a preferred walk-on by making the roster.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound gentle giant abruptly rebooted the recruiting process by reaching out to a few schools and, in turn, drawing new offers.
One school impressed him more than the others during his do-over, and he made a second verbal commitment, this time to Mercyhurst, a second-year Division I program in Erie.
Bruno had a previous offer to play at Mercyhurst.
“Huge relief,” Bruno said. “I feel very welcomed there, and to be honest, I should have committed there before.”
Concord, Hampton, West Virginia Wesleyan, Millersville, West Liberty, Wheeling, Clarion, Seton Hill and Lock Haven extended offers to Bruno, but Mercyhurst shined the brightest.
Norwin coach Mike Brown is a Mercyhurst alum.
“I’m very happy and excited for Colin and his family,” Brown said. “He found a place where he can receive a quality education and have an opportunity to play highly competitive football. He showed great maturity throughout the process where not too many student-athletes had to deal with. We’re proud.”
Two other Norwin players also backed away from Saint Francis and were scouring the market for new deals in nose tackle/defensive end Mike Strutt and wide receiver/defensive back Mike Crnkovic.