Princeton gets a steal to top off 2014 recruiting class

It was only a matter of time before an Ivy League school decided to offer Mark Fossati. The Gatorade New Jersey High School Football Player of the Year had been passed on by several Division 1 programs despite putting up video game like numbers his junior year. This season, Fossati helped St. Joe’s to a 10-1 record that included a Non-Public, Group 3 state title. He played several games with a bad shoulder and anchored a defense that allowed an average of 13.8 points per game.

Fossati finished his senior campaign with 76 tackles and 3 interceptions. The linebacker also served as the teams fullback, placekicker, and sometimes kicked off. Fossati started since his sophomore year when he played safety. He broke the record for most extra points with 199.

Lafayette, Colgate, and FCS Finalist Towson each offered prior to the start of Fossati’s senior season. He took an official visit to Lafayette on January 4 and Princeton from December 12-14. When Princeton offered Thursday, Fossati accepted the offer.

He is the sixth Division 1 football commit from St. Joe’s Class of 2014. Offensive Lineman Austin Stapleton (UPenn) is the only other Ivy League commit from St. Joe’s.

There is no doubt that replacing Fossati could only come with a near miracle. He just did so much for the team and was always in on any big play. His contributions are immeasurable and could only be compared to those of Brian Cushing (Bergen Catholic) or Brian Toal (Don Bosco). Fossati made his reputation during his junior season when he accounted for 154 tackles and won the 2012 Star-Ledger State Defensive Player of the Year.

Fossati will become teammates with former Bergen Catholic defensive end Kurt Holuba, who chose Princeton over more than a dozen schools including Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Duke. DeMatha (Maryland) quarterback John Lovett will also join Fossati and Holuba at Princeton. Fossati and Lovett took their official visit to Princeton together.