Meet the players for the 2022 Les Schwab Bowl: Joe Merlino (Team Columbia)

Joe is a three-time letterman in football and won state championships at Central Catholic in 2019 and 2021.

The 2022 Les Schwab Bowl, a high school football all-star game featuring many of the Northwest’s top players, will take place Saturday, July 2, at Linfield University in McMinnville. Get your tickets here. 

Over the next week, SBLive will be introducing each of the 78 players set to take part in this year’s game.

Joseph Merlino

Number: 99

Position: DT / OL

Height: 6’3

Weight: 280

High School / Class: Union 2023

H.S. Coach: Rory Rosenbaugh

College: Undecided

Joe is a three-time letterman in football and won state championships at Central Catholic in 2019 and 2021. He was named 1st team All-State on the offensive line and 2nd team All-State on the defensive line in 2021 by Oregon Prep Redzone. Inside the classroom, Joe carries a 3.73 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Off the field, Joe enjoys weightlifting, track and snowboarding, and he is an avid musician who plays drums, bass and guitar. He is in a local band that plays shows in the Portland area. 

Earlier:

‘With the first pick, Steve Pyne selects …’ Les Schwab Bowl returns for 74th year with a fun new wrinkle: a player draft