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Georgetown Football: 2008 Recruit Profiles

Georgetown's highest ranked recruit from New Jersey since Jim Elliott in 2002, Jeremiah Kayal arrives this summer with experience and promise on both sides of the ball.

Kayal earned all-state honors at wide receiver for Wayne Hills HS, leading the Patriots to its fourth straight sectional title and 40th straight win overall. For the 2007 season, Wayne Hills outscored its opponents 458-54, and only one opponent scored more than a touchdown against the Patriots all season

Kayal was slotted to play quarterback, which he did in leading Wayne Hills to the 2006 title. In 2007, however, his coach moved him to receiver, a move not universally shared by Kayal or the Wayne Hills fan base. In the end, it worked out just the same.

"Jeremiah is the epitome of what an unselfish team player should be," said Wayne Hills head coach Chris Olsen. "Whether he agreed with me or not on what we wanted to do, he did what we thought was the best for the team without an argument."

Kayal's play was a big part of 2007's success. As a receiver, Kayal caught 35 passes for 578 yards, including nine touchdowns. He earned a 7.8 yard per rush average, and even got a few passes in at quarterback. Named as the regional defensive player of the year, Kayal was selected to the AP first team all state team, a recognition of his performance and statistics that were among the top 20 in the state at wide receiver.

Kayal also starred defensively, with 48 tackles, 22 blocks, and a state high 10 interceptions, including picks in each of the Patriots' playoff games. His 219 yards in interception returns was nearly that double of any other back in the state in 2007.

The move of Kayal from quarterback to receiver was a stroke of luck for Georgetown. Some schools had judged Kayal undersized to play QB, but as a receiver, the Hoyas moved ahead of the line. Kayal selected Georgetown over Pennsylvania, Lafayette and Bucknell.

"I just thought it was a great fit for me," said Kayal. "I went down there, the campus is beautiful. You don't get a better education than that."

"Me and Timmy [Waller] have a chance to turn the program around."