Jesse Alfreno is making sure he gets the most out of his Penn State experience. Last winter and spring, in addition to practicing and working out with his football teammates, the cornerback was a member of the Nittany Lion baseball team. While football took priority until the Blue-White game passed, Alfreno made 20 appearances as a right-handed relief pitcher, joining former quarterback Paul Cianciolo on the pitching staff. Alfreno allowed a team-low .226 opponent batting average and the second-best ERA (4.44) on Coach Robbie Wine[apos]s squad. He was 1-0, with one save in 20 appearances over 26.1 innings. Alfreno gained his first collegiate victory in a 5-4, 11-inning win at Iowa in May. He also is one of the squad members who has taken a major leadership role with Penn State Uplifting Athletes[apos] Lift for Life, serving as vice president of Penn State Uplifting Athletes. He oversees advertising and public relations for the Lift for Life and other Penn State Uplifting Athletes events. The July 2008 event raised more than $70,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association, bringing the six-year total to more than $300,000. A talented and dedicated athlete, the former Grove City HS all-state selection has experience playing cornerback, safety and wide receiver. With continued hard work and progress, Alfreno will look to take on a larger role for the defense and special teams in 2009. He is one of 10 returning Nittany Lions that hail from western Pennsylvania. Alfreno compiled a 3.84 grade-point average during the 2008 fall semester to gain Dean[apos]s List and Academic All-Big Ten honors. He finished the spring semester with a 3.56 cumulative GPA and is a potential ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate.
2008 Junior Season
Alfreno continued to work hard and improve in the weight room and on the practice field. He saw action in a couple of games in the senior-laden secondary, including the Big Ten title-clinching win over Michigan State. He earned a 3.84 grade-point average during the 2008 fall semester to gain Dean[apos]s List and Academic All-Big Ten honors. This past spring, Alfreno joined the Penn State baseball team as a relief pitcher, compiling a 1-0 record, a team-low .226 opponent batting average and the team[apos]s second-best ERA (4.44) in 20 appearances.
2007 Sophomore Season
Alfreno made his collegiate debut in the season-opening win over Florida International. He also played in the 38-7 win over No. 19 Wisconsin.
2006 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Alfreno was a standout at Grove City HS, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He earned first-team all-state honors at defensive back in 2005 and 2006 and second-team all-state honors in 2004 for Coach Jeff Bell. Alfreno was the District 10 MVP in 2005 and earned first-team MCAC honors. During his senior year, Alfreno threw for 1,053 yards and grabbed three interceptions. In his career, he ran for 1,057 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 79 passes for 1,127 yards and 18 scores in addition to collecting 20 interceptions. He was instrumental in helping Grove City advance to the 2004 state championship game. In 2006, Alfreno participated in the PSFCA East-West game.
Personal
Full name is Jesse Lee Alfreno. He is the son of Mark and Wendy Alfreno. He is majoring in advertising and public relations. Born July 10, 1987 in Grove City, Pa.