While I can’t particularly remember the date that Neiko committed, I will undoubtedly remember the buzz that day. “Penn State got a recruit from Florida?!?!” The first Florida recruit that most of us can remember has faxed his letter of intent to Bill O’Brien and the Nittany Lions. And Neiko isn’t just another Florida guy, he was named to the Florida Class 1A First Team, despite missing the early part of the season.

Neiko had a roller-coaster of a senior season. After serving a suspension for an on-field altercation, he ended the season with a state championship. His recruitment ride was similar. After being offered in early June, he committed just a few days later, despite never having visited Penn State. During the season, Neiko grew anxious because the PSU coaches wanted him to wait until after the season to take his official visit. He was offered by Minnesota and even took an official with the Gophers in October. In the end, the staff just wanted Robinson to come on a less hectic weekend when he could get some more individual attention and get a better feel for the campus.

Robinson visited Penn State in mid-January and said that it was everything he had hoped and more.

The consensus three star safety is of the hard-hitting variety. His highlight reel is full of big hits. He also shows good enough ball skills and plenty of speed. Some defensive backs enter college with at least a possibility of playing wide receiver at some point. I don’t think that’s the case with Neiko, as he seems to enjoy hitting too much.

The Penn State secondary is thin and both starting safeties will be seniors. If Neiko Robinson doesn’t see the field at some point this year, he almost certainly will in 2014, maybe even as a starter.

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While Jake was recruited as a cornerback, he made the switch to free safety before the season began, and remained there throughout the season while taking a redshirt.  He will enter spring practice in that spot.  Going strictly off of last year’s depth chart, Kiley will likely be 3rd string, behind rising senior Malcolm Willis, and run-on junior-to-be Ryan Keiser.  Barring an injury to Willis, he will certainly be the starter, but back-up reps are going to be up for grabs.

The previous staff left the secondary cupboard bare, and Bill O’Brien and the current staff have made secondary recruiting a priority, with 4 of PSU’s 17 commitments playing in the defensive backfield.  It’s probably too early to guess where Neiko Robinson, Kasey Gaines, Anthony Smith, and Jordan Smith ultimately end up, it seems likely that given the overall depth concerns, at least one could end up at free safety as well.  In short, competition is only going to increase, and everyone will need to pick their game up to get on the field.  Kiley’s familiarity with the defense, and working closely with new defensive coordinator John Butler last season should give him a leg up, especially on Gaines and Robinson, who will not enroll until this summer (Both Smiths are on campus now as early enrollees).

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Many recruits are pledging their verbal commitements to the Nittany Lions to be able to strap on that White Helmet. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

PENN STATE’S 2013 VERBAL COMMITS

BIG TEN CLASS NATIONAL RANKING

*VBR Composite is the highest rating for each player from all of the 4 major recruiting sites.

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Updated: June 6, 2012

Yesterday, Penn State received a commitment from Neiko Robinson, who is a three start on Rivals.com, but is unrated by Scout and 247Sports.

What does it all mean? Nothing? Everything?

Penn State held their first camp of the Summer last weekend and three star WR Will Fuller earned an offer from Penn State. Shortly after, he said that Penn State was his top school and that he would likely announce his decision in the next two weeks. Those are good signs for the Nittany Lions.

One of the top players at the camp, in my opinion, was Delando Johnson. I was confident that he would receive an offer as a safety, but it didn’t happen. The coaches told him that he is “at the top of the list” and that they’ll continue to evaluate him and a couple others. The commitment of Robinson may have put Johnson on the outside looking in right now, but signing day is a long time away.

DT Donta Wilkins named a top three, which includes Penn State. I don’t know a ton about the situation, but I’m not positive that Donta has a “commitable offer.” Once the Nittany Lions received the verbal from DT Greg Webb, they cooled down their defensive tackle recruiting. Don’t get me wrong, Donta is a fine player, but so is Maurice Hurst Jr., who the Nittany Lions essentially turned away. Hurst committed to Michigan over the weekend.

Penn State seems willing to take another DT, but I think they really want it to be Eddie Vanderdoes, whose dad recently confirmed an official visit to Penn State this Fall is in the works. Eddie also recently said that an official visit to Michigan is likely, as long as UM remains interested. If Larry Johnson and the Nits do take a commitment from Wilkins, I’d have to imagine that would end the relationship with Vanderdoes.

Harrisburg WR Brian Lemelle tells the Patriot News that he will be visiting Penn State this summer. After offering him early in the Spring, PSU seemed to have cooked on his recruitment. This may be an indication that’s not the case.

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