KARNS CITY - With 75 pass receptions for more than 1,000 yards over the past two years, David Black has been the target of major college football programs.

Not so much because the Karns City senior can catch the football but because e can stop other guys from doing it.

"That kid can just plain cover people," Karns City football coach Ed Conto said. "That's the big attraction to him, along with his academics.

"Whatever school that got David was going to have him for four years."

That school turned out to be Army. Black verbally committed to the Black Knights after also considering Boston College, Indiana, Miami of Ohio and West Virginia.

Despite setting school records this past fall with 52 catches for 753 yards and nine touchdowns, Black was recruited as a free safety.

"He only allowed one or two catches his junior year and no one scored a touchdown on him last year," Conto said.

Black carries a 4.0 grade point average and is ranked 10th in a graduating class of 142.

"They showed so much interest in me and this is the best way I can set up my future," Black said.

After four years of football and schooling, Black must commit five years to the military.

"It's hard to figure out what the world's situation will be like four years from now, but I'm not afraid to fight for my country," Black said. "If we're at war, I don't want another guy doing my fighting for me."

During the recruiting process, Black had dinner with first-year Army head coach Bobby Ross, who guided Georgia Tech to the national championship in 1990 and the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl in 1994.

The Black Knights were 2-9 under the 68-year-old Ross in 2004 after going 0-13 the previous year. Since playing in the 1996 Independence Bowl, Army has lost 74 of 91 games.

"He sold me on where he wants to take the program and the resources being provided," Black said of Ross. "The military academies are very serious about winning right now.

"Coach Ross said he didn't have much of a recruiting season last year, but he's got some blue-chippers now. He said my senior year will be the time people will see where he's taken the Army program."

Karns City assistant coach Don Black, David's father, said Army's football program has put together a $50 million complex over the past two years.

"Their weight room is incredible," Coach Black said. "They say it's better than every NFL facility.

"I think David's made a great choice. He's getting a $300,000-plus education, and, with a military pedigree, he should have little trouble finding work when he gets out."

Black is going to study the business side of pre-law. He hopes to see regular playing time by his junior year.

"I know it's going to take some time," he said. "They don't redshirt anybody, so I'm going to have to be ready to compete right away."

At 6-feet-1, 182 pounds, Black has room to grow physically as a player.

"He's never had a chance to develop his body football-wise," Conto said. "Throughout high school, he's gone from football to basketball to baseball and track.

"David has size and speed to begin with. Army will improve him in both of those areas."

Black is the first Karns City athlete to receive a Division I scholarship since Ian Ferguson and Brian Reed went to the University of Pittsburgh for track and field in 2002.

He is the Gremlins' first ballplayer to receive a scholarship from a major school since baseball catcher Dan DeCola went to UNC-Charlotte in 1997.

The last Karns City football player to get Division I scholarship money was quarterback Jeff Baker (Austin Peay) in 1973. The last Gremlin to play football at a service academy was quarterback Mike McNallen, who went to Navy in 1966.

Four Karns City graduates are playing college football now - Jeff Wagner and Mike Stimac at Thiel, Nate Wilson at Grove City and Scott Christie at Edinboro.

"We don't seem to get the real big kid or real fast kid," Conto said. "We get the 5-10, 185-pound strong, hard-nosed guys.

"David Black's earned everything he's gotten. He's been a great two-way player for us."