web1_Robb-Henderson-AG-June-2014.jpg

Judge: Insurance company must cover legal fees for Strelish, Henderson

Our Opinion: Area’s nonprofits sing for their supper; which one strikes a chord with you?

<p>Chris Bleich will be continuing his high school career in Florida. But he could see himself coming back home to play college ball.</p><p>The former Wyoming Valley West offensive lineman got the news he was waiting for on a visit to Penn State this week, receiving a scholarship offer from the Nittany Lions.</p><p>&#8220;Couldn&#8217;t be more excited to receive a offer from my dream school,&#8221; Bleich wrote on Twitter after taking in one of the Lions&#8217; spring practices on Wednesday.</p><p>Bleich is finishing up his sophomore year after transferring to football powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, back in January. The 6-foot-6 prospect has plenty of time to decide on a college, as his signing date wouldn&#8217;t come until February 2018.</p><p>But Penn State has been on his radar for awhile. Bleich visited Happy Valley as a freshman to check in with Lions coach James Franklin and former offensive line coach Herb Hand. He also showed up for Penn State&#8217;s primetime win over Rutgers in September.</p><p>This week provided an opportunity to talk to new line coach Matt Limegrover.</p><p>While playing tackle for the District 2 champion Spartans in 2015, Bleich began receiving interest from several major programs, including Penn State. The first FBS programs to come through with scholarship offers were Rutgers and Syracuse, though Rutgers has since overhauled its coaching staff, putting that offer in limbo.</p><p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/4242846/highlights/316136424" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p><p>Getting in early figures to help Penn State&#8217;s chances in Bleich&#8217;s recruitment &#8212; the Lions have only extended offers to a handful of 2018 recruits thus far.</p><p>For Bleich, more attention is sure to come when he takes the field for IMG in the fall. The main draw to transferring there is the opportunity to play alongside top talent from all over the country.</p><p>That means IMG is a major stop on the recruiting trail for schools in every conference. Bleich&#8217;s exposure will increase dramatically and more offers are sure to come.</p><p>&#8220;I felt like I&#8217;ll be working out against the best players,&#8221; Bleich said in January. &#8220;Every player down there is a four-star or five-star recruit. It&#8217;s something I couldn&#8217;t pass up. I always told my parents I wanted to become the best. To be the best, I think it&#8217;s a move I had to make to go down there.&#8221;</p><p>Should Bleich ultimately end up at Penn State &#8212; or anywhere else in the Big Ten &#8212; he wouldn&#8217;t be the first member of his family to play at Beaver Stadium.</p><p>His uncle, John Bleich, was a standout at Hanover Area who went on to play for Rutgers in the early 90s, facing off against the Lions multiple times.</p><p>John Bleich was also an offensive lineman, starting at center for the Scarlet Knights. But his nephew is about four inches taller and has the frame to play tackle at the next level.</p><p>Penn State has brought in multiple blue-chip prospects on the line in each of the last two classes, including Lake-Lehman&#8217;s Connor McGovern this winter.</p><p>&#8220;The offensive line has been a priority for them,&#8221; 247Sports national recruiting director Steve Wiltfong said in the run-up to signing day. &#8220;Building back up from the sanctions, that&#8217;s what they need the most.&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_WVW-BLEICH.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bleich </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_WVW-BLEICH.jpg</photo0><caption0>Bleich </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Derek Levarse</p><p>dlevarse@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Former Wyoming Valley West lineman Chris Bleich picks up offer from Penn State