Even though Penn State struggled on the field again this past weekend losing 34-10 to Michigan State, they won some key recruiting battles. Cornerback Garrett Taylor joined the 2015 class and Quarterback Jake Zembiec joined the 2016 class.
Taylor is rated as a 4 star recruit by ESPN and 247sports. He is 6-1, 195 pounds from Richmond, Virginia. He did have offers from schools such as Ohio State, Michigan State, and LSU. Taylor missed his senior season with a torn ACL but that has not affected his ranking or the number of offers he received.
According to Rivals, the addition of Taylor gives the Nittany Lions 12 four star commits, which is good for fourth most in the nation for the 2015 class.
Prior to the game with Michigan State on Saturday, Penn State also received word of four star Quarterback Jake Zembiec of Rochester, New York committing to the Nittany Lions. He just happened to pick Penn State over Michigan State. 247 Sports ranks him as the 11th best junior QB in the nation.
Zembiec made his announcement during a visit to Beaver Stadium over the weekend. ‘THIS JUST IN: I am committed to the University of Penn State,’ tweeted Zembiec.
He is 6-2, 205 pounds, and also had offers from Nebraska, Rutgers, and Pittsburgh among others. Zembiec joins Tommy Stevens (QB, Indiana) who committed earlier in November.
The Nittany Lions currently have Christian Hackenberg, who just completed his sophomore season, as the starting quarterback. True Freshman Michael O’Connor and Red Shirt Freshman Trace McSorley are also on the roster behind Hackenberg.
Penn State Head Coach James Franklin did not see as much success on the field this season, but on paper he has done a great job recruiting since taking the job last January.
The Nittany Lions finished the season 6-6 and will find out this weekend where and who they will play during bowl season. Many ‘experts’ have them going to the Pinstripe Bowl in New York City against a team from the ACC.
Notes:
The Big Ten conference handed out some awards on Monday. LB Mike Hull was voted Linebacker of the Year. Hull led the Big Ten in tackles this season. He was also named to the All Big-Ten First Team.
Defensive Tackle Anthony Zettel joined Hull on the All Big-Ten First Team. Zettel had a team high 3 interceptions, including one on Saturday during the game against Michigan State. Senior kicker Sam Ficken was named to the All Big-Ten Second Team. He made 23 field goals this season.
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