Penn State Recruiting 12/8/10 (Ben Kline Commits to PSU)

***Sorry for missing last week.  I was sick Thursday, Friday, and Saturday so if I would have written an article, it would have been crap.  Double dose this week though so let’s get to it…***

First off, everyone enjoyed their visit to the Michigan State game.  So for 2012 prospects, unless they said something that really stuck out (one in particular did), I won’t touch on them.

Surprise visitor over the weekend…former Pitt commit, Ben Kline.  6’2-6’3, 235 LB.  Very strong, and some very impressive numbers in the weight room.  Anyway, he officially visited this weekend and got an offer.  He has verballed to Penn State.  The article on Mr. Kline will come tomorrow.  Going to try to spread out these articles.

Albert Louis-Jean [4-Star CB] ended up official visiting for the PSU/MSU game.  During his official visit, Shannon was fired.  Which is a huge deal, as ALJ developed a great relationship with Shannon.  Also, ALJ’s Dad was a huge fan of Shannon too.  ALJ de-committed from Miami this week, and I would say the chances of him re-committing to them are slim.  ALJ’s Dad had a quote where he pretty much told Miami off, saying that developing young men and keeping them out of trouble is more important than winning a game.  Which obviously, is very important for us.  As PSU has one of the highest graduation rates among NCAA D1 football teams, and Joe Pa is always preaching what ALJ’s Dad was saying.  Back to the visit, ALJ stayed with Redd, Fortt, and Hailes and said he really enjoyed his time.  He isn’t sure what he wants to do now, but he is open.  One thing for sure though, PSU is in a very good position.  Watch for Boston College.  (Also, he is an early-enrolle, meaning he will be a student at his college in January.  So he’ll have to make a decision within the next 4 weeks, opposed to 8 or 9 weeks)

Darian Cooper [4-Star DT] also enjoyed his visit, and got an in-home visit from Larry Johnson SR, which, like usual; was excellent.  He just visited Michigan State, and it is still the usual.  He’ll be visiting Georgia Tech in the next two weeks, and will then visit Penn State January 20th.

Anthony Zettel [4-Star DT] visited for the MSU game.  Didn’t seem to blow him away, like we needed to do with him.  He visited Michigan State last weekend, and will visit Michigan this weekend.

JJ Denman [2012 OT, 6’7 310] is a massive OT from PA.  Top 100 player, if not top 50.  Originally, he wasn’t interested in PSU very much.  Is from the south, and is interested in going back.  His Dad graduated from Rutgers as well.  So a lot of things going against PSU.  Visited for the MSU game, and fell in love with everything.  He is a huge fan of Big Red, and has now stated Penn State is his #1 team.  Denman would be a major get…huge player, strong, tough, natural knee bender.  Hopefully, this maintains throughout his recruitment.

Now for some news on the official visits last weekend…

Ryan Nowicki [Arizona OT] officially visited Penn State last weekend, and said the visit was the best so far (Has visited USC and the Arizona schools).  Reportedly, USC and Penn State are his top two schools so it seems like Penn State has a very good shot here.  The reason has has such PSU interest (And that PSU is so interested in him) is because he grew up in Big Ten country.  Illinois to be exact so he got to see a lot of Penn State.  Also, he actually said he likes the cold weather.  Take it for what it’s worth with that comment because I’ve lived in PA my whole life, and despise the cold.  Anyway, Nowicki is 6’5 275.  He plays with a mean streak…loves to mix it up.  Just a tough, hard-nosed player.  Not quite the potential of a Denman (He has all the makings of an NFL OT), but Nowicki could end up being very good.  Also, PSU contacted another Arizona OL…Mo Latu.  Wait and see approach with him.

Ryan Stoner [DB from Indiana] doesn’t seem to be as much as a lock as I once thought.  He could just be playing the “game”, but I thought he would have been in PSU’s class by now.  Anyway, he visited over the weekend and had a great time.  Like I said, no verbal.  Going to check out Indiana again, with there new coach Kevin Wilson there.  Still think he ends up at PSU in the end, but not as cut and dry as once thought.

Like I said before…some 2012 stuff but nothing worth noting.  Some “I like PSU, they are a good school”.  You know, the usual.  We’ll talk them when the time comes.

A look into next week…

Andre Sturdivant [DE from Ohio] said he is DEFINITELY (Caps meant to be on) Penn State this weekend.  December 10-12 to be exact.  Still no Ohio State offer, and he claims Penn State is in the lead so as long as OSU doesn’t offer this kid…he is wearing Blue and White.  He said this week in an article that the Glenville Four (Besides Sturdivant…OT Aundrey Walker, WR Shane Wynn, and QB Cardale Jones) would all like to go to the same school.  He then said that he is definitely going to the same college as Cardale an/or Aundrey Walker.  How true…who knows?  But he said it.  He went on to say Cardale Jones will probably accompany him on the visit to PSU this weekend, and that Aundrey Walker is scheduled to visit PSU as well.  For those of you who don’t know, Aundrey Walker is a massive OT: 6’6 350…Top 100 type of player.  He never seemed to interested in Penn State so that is why it is pretty surprising hearing those comments.  Wait and see approach with Walker…we’ll see how true it is.

Obviously, the firing/resigning of Wanny from Pitt will result in some rumors of Pitt commits looking around.  The ones PSU would probably be interested in…DB Kyshoen Jarrett, WR Bill Belton, and DT Marquise Wright.  Stay tuned.

Also…Urban Meyer retiring could affect some PSU recruits.  DT Delvon Simmons for one, and more importantly (IMO) DT Shawn Underwood (Who is back in contact with LJ SR).

Recruiting is starting to pick up.  After a very slow start, and flat out pathetic start, Penn State is starting to pick up some momentum.  Sitting in some really good spots with these guys, and I expect Penn State to finish with an above-average class.  Great?  No, but after the horrible start above-average will look awesome.  Probably Top 25-20 class when all said and done.  With this being a small class that isn’t half bad.  Still lots of time to screw this up though.

Twitter: twitter.com/itspatrickh (I talk PSU recruiting & complain about my FFB Team)

Thanks for reading.  By the way…Penn State>Florida.