BRENDAN CONIKER
6-foot-1, 190 pounds, WR-CB, North Allegheny
It’s not by accident that Brendan Coniker’s highlight tape features a handful of plays from the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game at Heinz Field. After all, it’s where the North Allegheny junior made a name for himself.
“That definitely helped me out,” Coniker said. “It was a big game with big situations. Coaches look for that, how you perform in big games. I showed I can do that.”
For one, Coniker made a controversial touchdown catch against Upper St. Clair before halftime that turned the momentum in the Tigers’ favor on their way to an overtime victory. Video and photos show that Coniker’s feet clearly landed out of bounds.
“It wasn’t my call,” Coniker said, “but I’ll take it.”
Coniker also had three pass breakups, including two in the end zone, in that WPIAL final. Considered one of the top cover corners in the WPIAL, he had four interceptions as a sophomore and five last season. Coniker also had 29 receptions for 477 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.
“Most of his film is as a defensive back, but he’s got really good ball skills,” North Allegheny coach Art Walker said, “and he’s got great football speed.”
Akron, Toledo and Old Dominion have offered scholarships, and Cincinnati, Northwestern and Wisconsin are showing interest. One of only two sophomores to start on NA’s 2010 WPIAL and PIAA championship team — offensive lineman Patrick Kugler, a Michigan recruit, is the other — Coniker believes his future is on defense.
“I feel I can definitely lock down on the team’s best receiver,” he said. “I can play the field side or deep and help out the safety by reading the quarterback’s eyes. I feel I can play cornerback in college. A lot of teams need cornerbacks.”
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