GROVE CITY — In his football career at Grove City High School, Jesse Alfreno completed passes for more than 1,000 yards, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had more than 1,000 receiving yards.

He had a sophomore season in which he picked off 15 passes as a safety and he ended up with more than 20 in his career.

Alfreno was also a three-time all-state selection.

With a resume like that, Alfreno was left scratching his head when Division I and Division I-A scholarship offers dried up.

"After my junior year, they really dropped off," Alfreno said. "The reason why? I don't know. It's a nasty process. It's a nasty business."

But all is not lost for Alfreno. He's taken the road less traveled to the Division I gridiron. He is walking on at Penn State University in the fall.

In doing so, he's turning down chances to play at Division II schools such as Slippery Rock University, Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, who were all clamoring for his services.

Alfreno received the same speech from all of the Division I coaches who contacted him.

They told him if a recruit turned down a scholarship offer, he was the next in line.

Only, he never received another call.

Alfreno said he is going to use that as motivation to make it as a walk-on at Penn State — a very difficult road to the college football field to be sure.

"I'm going to turn that into a positive," Alfreno said. "I'm going to go ballistic when I get there and prove them wrong. I have all the coaches' letters and all the coaches' cards and I'm going to take them with me. I hope they see me on TV some day and say, 'Darn, we could have had him.'

"I think I have the guts and the ability to do it."

Alfreno showed off his football skills the first day he stepped onto the field as a freshman for the Eagles.

During his first season, he caught 11 passes for 269 yards and six touchdowns.

In his sophomore season, he played some running back and rushed for 388 yards and five touchdowns to go with 19 receptions for 238 yards and five more scores.

In 2004 as a junior, he helped Grove City reach the PIAA Class AA championship game with 37 catches for 670 yards. He also rushed for 631 yards on just 92 carries. In all, he scored 13 touchdowns that season.

This past season, Alfreno switched to quarterback to fill a team need when Jim Jaskowak graduated. It was the first time Alfreno had played the position since middle school.

He completed nearly 50 percent of his passes for 1,063 yards. He also rushed for 172 yards and four scores.

"I think he can play there," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "He felt if he didn't try playing at the Division I level, he would regret it, and if it doesn't work out, he could always transfer to SRU and not have to sit out a year."

Alfreno attended camps in the off-season at such places as Boston College, Buffalo, Toledo, Pittsburgh and Penn State. It was at a camp with the Nittany Lions that he drew some interest from quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno and recruiting coordinator and defensive coach Tom Bradley.

He ran a time of 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but impressed more with his receiving skills as well as his overall athleticism.

"(Bradley) told me I was a perfect walk-on for them," Alfreno said. "He told me he's had guys walk on, bust their butt, and earn a scholarship.

"They are going to mold me. I don't care where they put me. I punted in high school. I can punt for them, too."

Alfreno said he was assured he would be one of the 105 players who start camp in late summer. He will most likely be red-shirted if he makes it through camp.

That doesn't bother Alfreno one bit. He just wants to make it.

The people who say he won't make it at Penn State do irk him, however.

"Will it be a perfect story if it happens? Yes," Alfreno said. "The way I feel, I have to give it a try. I'm not looking to play in the NFL or anything. I just want to take my shot at Division I football."