Mars’ Gabe Hein, seen here playing against Montour in the 2024 WPIAL quarterfinals, committed to Sacred Heart on Tuesday. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Gabe Hein entered last high school football season as a known commodity in Eric Kasperowicz’s Mars offense, then turned heads with a Week 1 eruption.

The rising senior receiver heads into the upcoming campaign with his next destination already punched into the GPS.

Hein announced his commitment to Sacred Heart, an independent FCS program in Fairfield, Conn., on Tuesday. The Pioneers had offered him a week earlier, two days after his official visit to the school.

“The whole recruiting process, it’s just ups and downs, people coming at you, people not, you waiting, sometimes you having to reach out (to) people,” Hein said. “But, for me, it was more of I’m blessed and lucky to have Eric Kasperowicz. ... Honestly, he helped a lot with that and took off more of that stress of going to get people — because he has a ton of connections.”

Hein estimated he talked with 15-20 schools, including some that began showing interest after the Planets’ opener last season. In that matchup, a 47-35 road win over Boone (Fla.), Hein piled up 256 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

“After you put up some big numbers, colleges, media and all that stuff are going to come at you,” Hein said. “After that Florida game, when I came back, it was just reporters and colleges DMing me and just texting me. There was definitely more hype around my name, I’d say.”

“To do what he did ... was just kind of validation to what we already knew,” Kasperowicz said.

Sacred Heart was one of the last ones to enter the mix for Hein, who finished 2024 with 939 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 66 grabs. He also seriously considered Villanova.

Pioneers wide receivers coach Pat Saporito visited Mars to talk to Hein. Kasperowicz said Hein’s versatility, speed, sure hands and understanding of the game stood out to that program.

“As soon as I talked to him (Saporito), I just felt a connection already there,” Hein said. “Having a connection with my coach is a huge thing for me.”

Mars senior quarterback Luke Goodworth suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4 against Aliquippa, thrusting freshman Nate Walker into the starting role. Hein’s production dipped with the on-the-fly adjustment.

“He did have other roles, though,” Kasperowicz said. “We put him in more of a wildcat set a lot of the time, especially down the stretch. ... Coming into his senior year, he’s still going to be playing receiver, but there’s going to be a lot of other times where he’s touching the football and we’re making sure he’s touching the football because he’s a threat any time he does.”

Hein said he’s put an emphasis on his footwork this offseason. Kasperowicz notices an improvement in the receiver’s strength.

“Yes, I’ve been able to get in open space, but, to me, that’s something that’s really big that you can always improve on,” Hein said. “Once you really craft your route running and how your footwork is, honestly, the sky is the limit in that aspect for me.”

“He’ll be a tough one to cover,” Kasperowicz said. “It’ll require a double team most of the time, I’d assume.”