2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Bethel Park's Ryan Petras

The recruiting process can be a stressful time for top high school athletes as they try to determine which college to choose to continue their academic and athletic careers.

The pressure can be twice as tough when they are sifting through offers from two different sports.

Welcome to the world of Ryan Petras.

The Bethel Park senior originally committed to play baseball at Northwestern. However, he began to waver when football offers began to come in.

“The final college decision is still up in the air,” Petras said. “I’m considering every possible option with both sports (football and baseball). I’m very thankful for the spot I’m in, but it can be challenging to find the perfect fit. It’s honestly been a crazy but fun experience.”

Petras says he will likely make a decision by the end of August.

His versatility on the football field makes him attractive for those at the next level. He led the Black Hawks in receiving last year with 734 yards and was second on the team in rushing with 409 yards. Petras led Bethel Park in scoring with 14 total touchdowns.

“I think it will mostly be the same as last year,” Petras said. “I’ll have some reps at receiver and in the backfield at running back. The amount of snaps I take at each position usually depends on how the season is going.”

Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich realizes he has something special in Petras.

“Ryan’s versatility is truly unique,” Peckich said. “On any given play, he could line up at any offensive position outside of offensive line. Ryan also impacts the game without the ball, whether that be blocking or when defensive coordinators tilt the field to focus on slowing him down.

“He provides a big -play threat anytime the ball is in his hands. His dynamic speed and athleticism gives our offense a rare element.”

Petras said a lot of the offseason has been spent on improving his wide receiver skills.

“I have been really working on my route running and my release off the line,” he said. “I feel like this will help me become an even better player.”

Petras is a legacy player who could lead the Black Hawks to success.

“I expect Ryan to be a leader for our team,” Peckich said. “As he enters his fourth years as a starter, he will continue to show that he is a top player in the WPIAL.”

Following a 4-7 season and a Class 5A quarterfinal loss to Pine-Richland last year, Petras and the Black Hawks are hoping to return to the success they enjoyed in his sophomore season when BP finished 10-2 and lost in the 5A semifinals.

“We didn’t have many seniors from last year, so we return a lot of the same guys,” Petras said. “I feel like this year, we will come together as a team even more than last year. We have some experienced players that will definitely be more confident. I think we have a good chance to make a long run into the playoffs with the goal being a WPIAL championship.”

Ryan Petras

Bethel Park

Senior

5-foot-9/180 pounds

Wide receiver/running back/safety

Offers: Baseball: Northwestern. Football: Navy, Army, VMI, Penn, Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Robert Morris, UMass, Stony Brook, Sacred Heart, Towson, Fordham, Colgate, Lafayette, Lehigh, Davidson, Georgetown

2023 stats: Petras led BP with 52 receptions for 734 yards for an average of 14 yards per catch. He was second on the team in rushing with 409 yards on 53 carries and he led the Black Hawks in scoring with 14 touchdowns.

Highlights: Hudl

Tags: Bethel Park