One of the top football recruits in the WPIAL has decided where he will continue his career.

John Wetzel, Greater Latrobe quarterback and defensive back, recently committed to Marshall University. The Thundering Herd football program competes in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference.

“It’s really exciting, and also a relief,” Wetzel mentioned about his commitment. “What stood out to me about Marshall were the coaches, and the defense really fits me. I think it’s going to be a good fit.”

The rising senior has been one of the top names in WPIAL football, and fielded numerous offers from Division I schools. West Virginia, Boston College, Louisville, Temple, Monmouth, Akron, Robert Morris, Buffalo, Delaware, Old Dominion, Monmouth, Kent State, Lehigh, and Eastern Michigan all offered the hard-hitting defensive back.

Ultimately, The Thundering Herd stampeded the competition and emerged as Wetzel’s favorite.

Despite being the face of the Wildcats’ offense the last few seasons, Wetzel will be playing safety in college. However, Wetzel’s background as a quarterback helped him in his recruitment.

“Pretty much every coach loved my defensive and offensive film,” the three-star prospect shared. “It helps a lot when you play quarterback and DB because you can understand the quarterback a lot more.”

For the Thundering Herd, he checked all the boxes of a player they were looking for: the mind of a quarterback, the skillset of a corner, and the hitting ability of a linebacker.

Wetzel’s offensive ability has shined at the high school level. Last year, he compiled 1,289 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air and 1,117 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing. He was instrumental in the Wildcats’ 8-4 finish, and guided them to a playoff win over West Allegheny 39-7.

Their season came to an end after a narrow loss to No. 1 seeded Aliquippa 37-29 in the quarterfinals.

Wetzel will be a key piece to Greater Latrobe again this year, with him leading the offense, and Penn State commit Alex Tatsch guiding the defense. He’s seen firsthand the turnaround that the Greater Latrobe football program has had in recent years.

His time is nearing its end, and he will soon begin his journey at the college level. But he wants to be remembered not by what has already been accomplished by his team, but rather, what can still be accomplished.

“I want people to talk about the 2025 team,” he said.