James Franklin and his Nittany Lions aren’t going to defend their nine game winning streak until January 2nd when they face USC in the Rose Bowl, but Franklin and his staff are looking for a few more victories before then. Recruiting victories that is.
Waiting on a Decision
Penn State is waiting on a decision from a few top prospect that they feel they have a legitimate chance to reel in.
K.J. Hamler
The 4 star wide out is set to announce tomorrow, and Penn State has made a late run at him, and it’s paid off, because Penn State is seen as the leader for his services. Hamler was attending IMG Academy in Florida, but an ACL injury over the off season ended his senior year before it started. The wide out checks in at 5’9 and his blazing speed is what drew top teams like Oregon and others to him, he was last recorded running a 4.43 4o time. The ACL injury is not expected to slow him down. Michigan State was originally seen as the leader as Hamler is from Michigan, but after a poor season, Oregon jumped into the driver seat. Now that Oregon has a coaching change, Penn State took advantage of the oppurtunity and will look to secure his pledge as early as tonight or tomorrow. I expect Hamler to be the last offensive player taken in the 2017 class as only 4-5 spots remain overall.
Lamont Wade
The 4 star, in Rivals case a 5 star, is expected to announce on December 17th. The cornerback is down to Penn State, Pitt, UCLA, West Virgina, and Tennessee, although most belive that the Clairton Pennsylvania native is really down to Pitt and Penn State. Wade has long been the #1 target on Penn State’s board and they hope to cash in next week. Wade is expected at Pitt this weekend, but with the way Penn State has been playing, the belief is that Wade will choose the Nittany Lions. The dead period begins Monday, so I expect Franklin and some staffers to visit Wade sometime on Friday or Sunday. This would be one big recruiting victory for Franklin and it should happen.
Josh Kaindoh
The 5 star defensive end decommitted from Maryland two weeks back after a visit to Penn State for the Michigan State game. Many assumed Penn State would become his leader, but it looks like Kaindoh will be heading South. Florida State is now believed to be the favorite to land the stud defensive end. While attending IMG in Florida, he got familiar with the FSU staff and a lot of people close to the program. He’s slated to commit on New Year’s Day, so I wouldn’t totally rule out a Penn State comeback, but it looks like Kaindoh will be a Seminole.
Locked in a Battle
Penn State has been working hard on securing the pledge of 4 star defensive tackle Elijah Conliffe, but they’ve had to fend off Alabama and it hasn’t been very successful. Penn State first made an impression on Conliffe last February when he attended their big Junior Day recruiting event. Penn State seemed to be in control, but an offer from the Tide caught the 6’4 305LBs defender’s attention and it seems that Conliffe will sign with Alabama. Penn State did secure the commitment of 4 star DT Fred Hansard, but the Nittany Lions really would like another.
Under the Radar
There’s a group of prospect not well known by Penn State fans who could find themselves signing with the Lions.
Corey Bolds
A 3 star defensive tackle who attends Paramus Catholic in New Jersey, Bolds recently visited Penn State for the Michigan State game. At 6’3 276, Bolds could easily grow into the run stuffer Penn State is looking for. Right now, it seems like its a race between Penn State and Rutgers, Chris Ash has done a good job of recruiting in New Jersey this year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Big Ten Champs made a move on the defensive tackle.
Nathan Proctor
Despite already having three linebackers committed, Penn State is looking to sure up its depth at the linebacker position. Proctor, a 4 star from Maryland, fits the bill. Penn State seemed to have an early lead for Proctor, but his recruitment slowed down a bit and Maryland eventually became a player. It now seems as though Proctor’s recruitment will go down to the wire as he’s planned visits to Penn State, Ole Miss, and UCLA all in January, he did not plan one for Maryland. It’s unclear if Penn State will have a spot remaining for him come January, but I think the Nittany Lions would make things work for this very talented linebacker.
Donovan Johnson
A 3 star cornerback from Detroit Michigan, Johnson was the fastest player at this past Summer’s The Opening competition, and he has heavy interest in the Nittany Lions. He is scheduled to visit this weekend and Franklin should feel really good about where he stands with the defensive back. Although there is a shortage of space, Penn State would definitely take Johnson even if they did get Wade. Johnson is supposedly going to announce next week and the Nittany Lions are considered the favorite.
Holding On
Penn State is currently working to hold onto a couple commits.
Brelin Faison-Walden
Faison-Walden committed to Penn State over the Summer, but the heavy hitting linebacker took visits elsewhere during the course of the season. The strongest threat came from Michigan, but Penn State’s staff checked in on their commit this week and it now seems Faison-Walden is solid and plans to enroll early, this is good news for Penn State who could use all the help at linebacker that they can get.
Dylan Rivers
Another talented linebacker, Rivers has been committed since last November, but living in Virginia meant that Virginia Tech would not give up on one of their top targets. Virginia Tech has been in contact with the 4 star, but the belief is that Penn State will be able to hold onto one of its longest committed recruits.
Others to Watch For
Penn State has been in the mix for scores of prospects, they are not seen as major players, but you never know with recruiting.
Anthony McFarland Jr.
The talented all purpose back from Maryland has shown some interest in Penn State, he visited for the Ohio State game. Penn State was not planning on taking a running back in this class, unless they could get a talent like McFarland or D’Andre Swift. The 4 star seems to be down to his home town team of Maryland along with Miami, Alabama, and Georgia. Penn State is in the mix, but I don’t see them being the winners of this one.
Jaylen Harris
A big time wide out, Harris stands at 6’5 210 and has had plenty of contact with the Nittany Lions. He visited for the Ohio State game and the staff has stayed in contact, but being from Cleveland Ohio, you can correctly guess that Ohio State is his favorite. Penn State would take themselves out of the Harris sweepstakes by getting Hamler, but it looks like Buckeyes all the way here.
Dylan Wade-Perry
Another defensive tackle from New Jersey, Wade-Perry checks in at 6’3 340, needless to say he would be a run stopper. The 3 star has had contact with Penn State in the past, but Florida State just received a visit from him and he’s planned visits for UCLA and Stanford in the next month. Penn State would love to have Wade-Perry in the trenches for them, but it looks like they’ll finish fourth in this one.
As always stay tuned for updates as Franklin and his staff work hard on the recruiting trail before their big Rose Bowl matchup.
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