Pine-Richland’s Levi Wentz has taken advantage of big breaks before. He’s hoping for another as NFL longshot
The lifetime road of Levi Wentz is a weary one.
But the Valencia resident and Pine-Richland graduate is more than energized these days.
Growing up a basketball player, Wentz played one year of high school football with the Rams as a defensive back. He accepted a full scholarship to Old Dominion to play defense, transferred to Albany and switched to receiver, having to wait a year to become an impact player.
He transferred again, this time to Kansas University where he finished fourth on the team in receptions during his only season there.
Now he’s entering this week’s NFL draft hoping for a break. He’s not projected to be taken in the draft, which will be held Thursday through Saturday in Pittsburgh. He could be signed as an undrafted free agent later.
“Realistically, yeah, I’m probably not going to be picked,” the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Wentz said. “All I’m looking for is an opportunity.”
Why not? Wentz has been taking advantage of opportunities his whole life.
He was in foster care when Brad and Bethany Wentz adopted him at age 10. His 6-year-old brother, Elijah, and 5-year-old sister Naomi were adopted by the Wentzes, as well.
“My parents got them in an emergency foster care situation and were supposed to have them for 30 to 60 days,” Mrs. Wentz said. “They wound up having them for six months. We fell in love with those kids during that time and adopted them.
“Their birth mom died in 2021 and dealt with drug addiction. The father was not in the picture. We’ve given birth to three children of our own, but none until after we adopted these three.”
Levi played basketball at Pine-Richland and was considered a small college prospect. But football was something he always wanted to try.
“Once I found my forever home, I just wanted to go for it,” he said of playing football.
His parents had other ideas.
“We were afraid he’d get hurt,” his mother said. “We thought Levi could get a Division II or III scholarship in basketball and didn’t want to mess that up.”
“My father always thought I was too small to play football,” Levi said. “My senior year (in high school) was approaching, and I knew it was my last chance. My dad told me if I could do 100 consecutive push-ups without stopping, it would show I was strong enough to go out for football.
“I practiced those push-ups, built up my stamina. That summer, I did them. And I was allowed to play.”
Despite only playing his senior year, Wentz was invited to play in the Pennsylvania-Maryland Big 33 Football Classic. He compiled 45 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions for Pine-Richland that year.
He was tried at cornerback, safety and linebacker at Old Dominion. Then he went to Albany for the opportunity to play wide receiver, catching just 12 passes in eight games his first year there. He snared 40 passes for 621 yards for the Great Danes in 2024.
Then he moved to Kansas.
“I needed to challenge myself, prove to myself that I could play at the highest level available,” Levi said.
Wentz received some NIL money but was joining a team that also brought in receivers from Alabama, Ball State and Columbia via transfer. He wound up catching 16 passes for 258 yards and two scores.
The low numbers didn’t bother him nor shake his confidence.
“Having played defense, I was used to the physical side of football and played that way as a receiver,” he said. “I love the contact, run aggressive patterns and win 50-50 balls. I know I’m developing late, but I’m getting there. All I needed is the exposure.”
Wentz shined at the 2026 College Gridiron Showcase, viewed by numerous NFL scouts. He also raised his stock by putting together an impressive workout at Kansas’ pro day.
His love of football has rubbed off on his siblings. Elijah is now a defensive back for Edinboro, and Naomi is a senior on the North Catholic flag football team.
Outside of school, Levi takes a pair of mission trips each year to Honduras as part of the Dream Big Honduras program founded by his parents in 2010. DBH is designed to support education and basic needs for 50-plus children a day. The DBH Tutorial Academy encourages children to attend school beyond sixth grade, providing technology and means to do so. Many have gone on to college through that program.
“My husband and I go down there five or six times a year,” Mrs. Wentz said. “Levi’s been making those trips since eighth grade. He loves football, but he has the heart of giving, as well.”
If Levi doesn’t get an NFL opportunity during or after the draft, he will likely take a crack at the United Football League (in the spring) or possibly play in Canada.
Wentz has a sociology degree from Albany with a minor in communication. He hopes to develop and run his own non-profit business when his athletic career is through.
“He wants to continue playing football as long as he can,” his mother said. “He doesn’t want to give up on his dream, nor should he. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for him next.”
