Anthony Speca
6-1, 220
Linebacker
Bridgeville, Pa./Central Catholic
Picked Penn State over Michigan, Notre Dame and Pitt
HIGH SCHOOL
Played at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School for head coach Ryan Lehmeier…Was a four-year letterman and two-year captain…Helped Central Catholic to a 10-2 record and WPIAL runner-up title as a senior…Led the Vikings to a 7-5 record and WPIAL runner-up title as a junior…Guided Central Catholic to a 9-3 record and WPIAL runner-up title as a sophomore…Helped Central Catholic to a 6-2 mark and a WPIAL championship as a freshman…Named first-team all-state 6A in 2022…Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 2023 Fab 22 team…Was a three-time all-conference selection, including first-team honors in 2023…Holds Central Catholic’s all-time tackles record (326)…As a senior, led the team with 94 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five sacks to go with 12 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two blocked field goals…As a junior, collected 122 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and five blocked field goals…As a sophomore, posted 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and four forced fumbles…As a freshman, tallied 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception in six games…Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals and a three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and On3…Tabbed as the No. 19 inside linebacker and No. 13 prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals…Named as the No. 11 inside linebacker and No. 14 player in Pennsylvania by ESPN…Rated as the No. 5 player in the state by 247Sports and the No. 15 prospect in Pennsylvania by On3…Played basketball at Central Catholic…Earned High Honors/PA All-Academic Gold team four times.
PERSONAL
Full name is Anthony Benjamin Speca…Son of Michael and Carrie Speca…Has two brothers, Mikey and Daniel, and a sister, Lilah…Father, Mike, played football at Washington & Jefferson (1991-95)…Uncle, Steve Speca, played football at Lehigh (1996-98) and Washington & Jefferson (1998-00)…Uncle, Joseph Rosato, played football at Duquesne (1995-99)…Aunt, Katie Rosato, played basketball at Robert Morris (2000-04)…Grandfather, Ben Speca, played football at West Liberty (1959-63)…Hobbies include fishing, playing with his dog and hanging out with friends…Volunteers at Brother Andres Cafe and helped with a canned food drive…Intends to major in finance.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Head Coach Ryan Lehmeier: “Anthony has some natural leadership qualities, especially at the position he plays. He’s a strong communicator with a natural leadership personality. He is exceptionally talented and plays sideline-to-sideline. He has great length and athleticism. He made a huge impact on our team as a four-year starter and our all-time leading tackler. He left the place better than he found it and was very influential to our young guys.”