Penn State Recruiting 8/11/10

Hey guys, I’m Patrick Harrington. I’ll be writing about Penn State Recruiting every week on Tuesdays, or sometimes Wednesdays. Just depends when I’ll be able to get the article done. If you want to know more about me, check out my “About Me”.

Because this is my first time writing here, I’ll go over all of the recruits and offers. Usually, it will be a much shorter article where I’ll just write about the rumors, who is visiting, etc. Just for this one though, we’ll touch base on every recruit. So don’t expect most of my articles to be this long.

1. Kyle Carter 6’4 235 2-Star TE from Delaware

-Kyle was Penn State’s very first commit this year. Getting his offer, and pretty much committing on the spot. Some may look at the 2-Star and think he can’t play, but the kid is from Delaware. He isn’t prominently know in the early going, so he won’t be ranked as high.

Positives: Athletic TE, in the Andrew Quarless mold. Good route runner, and catches the ball with his hands instead of waiting for it to hit his chest. Reportedly, looks bigger than his 6’4 235 frame. He looks like he can add weight to it as well.

Negatives: Not very strong yet. Only benching about 240 right now. Questions about his speed because he ran a 4.94 at a camp. I wouldn’t be too worried about it though. That could be from when he was freshman. I would say he can probably run a 4.7 now. Blocking is a question mark because of his limited film.

2. Shawn Oakman 6’8 240 4-Star DE from Pennsylvania

-Yes, he is 6’8. Started on his High School’s Basketball team that has other D1 basketball recruits. One of them heading to WVU. May want to play Basketball in College, and Penn State told him that he will indeed be able to play if he wants. Penn State lead throughout this one. He went on a visit to Pitt, then told everyone Pitt was leading, only to commit to Penn State the next day. Said he was fooling around.

Positives: Very athletic and also versatile. Can play DE or TE. He may even be able to play LT/RT if he puts on enough weight. Right now looks to be DE. Larry Johnson SR loves these kids, and is one of the best D-Line coaches in the nation. Unlimited potential. Long arms, which should only help.

Negatives: Is he too big? A huge part of playing DE is getting leverage on the offensive lineman, and is he too tall to get that? Usually I like DEs to be 6’3-6’5 because they are big enough, but yet can still get leverage. His competition isn’t the greatest, how is he going to fair when the OTs are 6’6 300?

3. Jordan Kerner 6’5 225 3-Star DE from Pennsylvania

-Camp offer. Camped, got his offer, and committed a few weeks later. From Erie, so he’s tucked up in in North Western Pa. Looks more like 6’3 240 on film, but I saw a picture of him with Coach McQueary, and he is taller than Big Red. Looks thin as well.

Positives: Tough kid, period. If Joe Pa asked him to run into a brick wall, Kerner would ask how fast. Just seems to love the game of football. Has a high motor, gives it his all every play.

Negatives: Not a top tier athlete as far as some DEs are. Limited upside. Probably won’t be an All-American type player, which isn’t horrible, per say. Just at the best will be a starter.

4. Angelo Mangiro 6’2 290 4-Star OG from New Jersey

-This was a HUGE get. Penn State was late with the offer, and kind of slipped down with him. Luckily, he still picked Penn State on July 25th. He is friends with a lot of recruits, and the type of kid who will help recruit for Penn State

Positives: Snap until the whistle. Angelo blocks from the snap until he hears the whistle. Does a good job of blocking on the second level. Looks great for HB Counters where he gets pulled. Good run blocker. College Football strong already. Last reported benching 310, now probably upwards of 350. Smart kid, great student, natural leader.

Negatives: Pass Blocking? Haven’t seen too much on that front. Only 6’2…which is a slight concern.

Penn State Offers

QB

-Cardale Jones 6’5 215 3-Star from Ohio

First off, he does NOT have an Ohio State offer. If he did, he would be a Buckeye right now. Goes to Glenville which is an Ohio State Pipeline. Ted Ginn SR is the coach there. If Ohio State doesn’t offer, Penn State could have a chance if they push. Not sure if he wants to come in and compete with three former 4-Star that are either FR or SO’s.

RB

-Savon Huggins 6’0 190 4-Star from New Jersey

Top 50 recruit in the nation. Penn State was pretty high up in the early going, but have fallen off. We are in his Top 10, but aren’t in his “favorite group”. Rutgers, Notre Dame, UNC, and Pitt in that order. He went down to visit Florida and Miami as well so they could be players. My opinion? Rutgers or he is going south. I could possibly see Notre Dame. So 50% Rutgers, 30% Goes South (He has family and frequently vactions there), 15% Notre Dame, 5% UNC or Pitt. We’ll see though.

-Tre Mason 5’9 185 4-Star from Florida

Doesn’t have an offer yet, but was told it is “in the mail”. Originally from Long Island, New York. Moved to Florida and plays 6A ball there. Explosive, Fast, Quick describe him. Reported 4.37 40 time. His film is great, very impressive. His Uncle has been helping him through the recruiting process, and is a Penn State fan that lives in the Poconos. Expect a visit out of Mason. WVU and Ole Miss seem to players. Penn State seems to be in his Top 3, if not his leader. Georgia could be a player if they offer. Overall though, I like Penn State’s chances but still to early to tell.

-Allan Wasonga 5’8 195 4-Star from West Virginia

Haven’t offered yet, but Penn State very well could in the near future. He has good speed, 4.72 on a slow surface. Which you may think that is slow, but Damiere Byrd (WR from NJ) ran a 4.55 on the same surface. Byrd ran a 10.44 in the 100 Meter Dash. So just keep that in mind. Anyway, I enjoyed Wasonga’s film. Tough, keeps his feet moving, hard to tackle. I’ve heard comparisons of Mike Hart, Ray Rice, and Rodney Kinlaw. So just think of those types of backs because that is the type Wasonga is.

WR

-Quinta Funderburke 6’5 205 4-Star from Virginia

Laid out a Top 5 of…Michigan, Arkansas, Florida, West Virginia, and Penn State. Weirdly enough, no one can confirm that he has a written offer from Penn State. Only a verbal. Has some big time offers from other programs, but question marks if they are committable ones. Still, the kid is talented. Went to the same High School as Evan Hailes (PSU DT). Is actually cousins with Kevin Newsome. Says he is going to take official visits to all the schools in his Top 5 so we will find out if Penn State is interested in his service.

-Miles Shuler 5’11 175 4-Star from New Jersey

Tremendously fast. You know Damiere Bryd? The kid that I said ran a 10.44 in the 100 Meter Dash? Byrd actually didn’t win that race…Miles Shuler did. He is that fast. Visited Penn State, but his rumored leaders are Rutgers and Pitt in that order. Reportedly Florida could be a player here as well.

-Damiere Byrd 5’8 155 4-Star from New Jersey

Like I said, very fast. Penn State is out of it though. He cut his list, and no Penn State. WVU looks like the leader, but Florida could be a player here as well.

-Tobias Singleton 6’2 190 4-Star from Mississippi

Sent him an offer, and many fans got excited. It was reported he had legit interest. Not looking good now. Penn State isn’t even mentioned, and actually never was.

-Darius Jennings 6’0 175 4-Star from Maryland

Has a bunch of impressive offers. Really likes the Florida schools, and would show a lot of interest if offered by them. Has awesome film, and is very impressive. In the Derrick Williams mold. Down to 10, and Penn State made the cut. Will try to cut it down again before the season. I would be surprised if Penn State didn’t make the final cut. Could be a CB as well.

OT

-Cyrus Kouandjio 6’7 325 5-Star from Maryland

Visited Penn State in the early going along with teammate Darian Cooper. Really don’t know much about him, other than his brother plays for Alabama so he has been reported as a lean there. Came out with a Top 11, and Penn State did not make the cut.

-Donovan Smith 6’5 270 4-Star from Maryland

Big, athletic Tackle from Maryland. Penn State is sitting very nice here. Reportedly, Penn State, Virginia, and Maryland are his top. Although that is just what various websites are saying. He just blew up the camps scene a few weeks ago so some more offers may be coming in. Plans on trimming his list, and Penn State is pretty much a lock to make it. UCLA is a dark horse in this.

-Zach West 6’5 300 3-Star from Kentucky

Weird, off the wall offer. He has some decent offers…Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, along with Penn State round out his Top 5. He’ll probably make an official visit here so Penn State has to like its chances. Kentucky seems to be the favorite right now, but anything can happen. He can also play Guard.

-Aundrey Walker 6’5 355 4-Star from Ohio

Another Glenville recruit, and he does have an Ohio State offer. He is playing it out, but he is all Ohio State. This guy is seriously massive. He says academics are important, and you can tell he firmly believes that.

-Jay Whitmire 6’6 290 4-Star from Virginia

Could play tackle on defense as well. Visited Penn State for the Blue and White game. Kind of a passive kid, quiet. Doesn’t seem to love the recruiting scene. UNC and Virginia are the rumored favorites, but I honestly don’t think anyone knows. OG/C Penn State is not currently recruiting any.

TE

-Ishaq Williams 6’5 220 4-Star from New York

There was rumors that he was/is a silent verbal to Penn State, but I don’t buy it. He does really like Penn State, and also really likes LJ SR. Has visited Penn State and Ohio State. Will be making visits to Notre Dame, Florida, and Miami. He’ll be trimming down his list soon, and will be making official visits. I would be shocked if Penn State doesn’t get a visit. Also a very good DE.

DE

-Deion Barnes 6’5 230 4-Star from Pennsylvania

Another athletic, pass rush demon. Penn State is looking very good with Barnes. Reported leader is Penn State, South Carolina 2nd, and then Michigan, Georgia, and Pitt round out his Top 5. Will be going for visits during the season, and a decision isn’t in the near future. Right now though, Penn State should end up getting Barnes.

DT

-Darian Cooper 6’1 290 3-Star from Maryland

From a football powerhouse in DeMatha. Will cut his list down soon. He has played things close, so can’t really offer an opinion. If I had to, I’d say Penn State has a good shot at getting an Official Visit.

-Anthony Zettel 6’4 255 4-Star from Michigan

Watch this closely. Has been a HUGE lean to Michigan, and I’m shocked he hasn’t committed yet. It isn’t speculation either, he has said Michigan leads for him for a while. Michigan State was always 2nd, but it has always been known he’ll end up at Michigan…BUT, things have changed. He went for a visit to Penn State, and he said it shocked him how great it was. He said Michigan still leads, but it is close. So right now it is Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, and Iowa. Problem with Michigan is…he wants to play DT. Penn State said DT all the way. Michigan likes him more at OG. Another…winning. Not that he doesn’t want to go to a losing program, but another bad season and Rich Rod could be ousted. Wants to take his Official Visit to Penn State for the Michigan game if he can work it out with his schedule. Bottom line is this. Michigan leads, but he is currently loving the Penn State cooking.

-Andre Sturdivant 6’2 250 3-Star from Ohio

Announced some official visits, and Penn State will be getting one. Illinois and Michigan State will be getting the other two. I would say, Penn State leads and if everything stays the same, we should get him, BUT Ohio State has not offered. He is from Glenville, like I said, is a huge Ohio State pipeline. If Ohio State offered, I would be shocked if he didn’t end up there. Alabama is looking at him too. Can play LB, DE, or DT.

LB

-Conner Crowell 6’1 215 3-Star from Maryland

Highly athletic player. Has a Top 3 of Penn State, Ohio State, and Stanford. OSU and PSU will get official visits, just doesn’t know when. I would say Penn State holds the edge, but the depth chart looks scary especially at LB. Can play DB as well.

DB

-Albert Louis-Jean 6’1 175 4-Star from Massachusetts

Is committed to Miami, but Penn State is still recruiting him very hard. Visited Penn State with some of his teammates, but was said to just be there for support. This isn’t over yet, and Penn State still has a slight chance. Still, he continues to say Miami is where he will be and until otherwise, we’ll have to take his word for it. Could also play CB.

-Dominique Noble 6’2 190 3-Star from North Carolina

This is very odd recruitment. This kid is dead serious when he says academics matter. He wants to be a Nuclear Engineer which is hard enough in itself, let alone while playing D1 Football. Penn State is a good school for Nuclear Engineers, but so is Georgia Tech. Here is what makes this odd. He went for a visit to Georgia Tech, and loved it. Said that he was going back and would probably commit there. First though, wanted to go to visit Penn State on July 27th and 28th, and then would make his visit to Georgia Tech on July 29th and July 30th. If he didn’t make his commitment to GT that weekend, it pretty much meant Penn State pulled themselves back in it. Canceled his visit to Penn State so everyone assumed he was going to commit to GT. Didn’t even visit GT. Question marks right now. Can also play CB.

-Dorant Grant 5’10 175 4-Star from Ohio

Very athletic, and nearly a 5-Star DB. Ohio State leads right now. He is a legacy to Michigan State though. Georgia Tech has a shot as well. Penn State is outside of his Top 5, but he wants to come out and see the Penn State/Michigan game. Don’t get your hopes up on this kid. CB also.

-Brandon Reddish 6’0 170 3-Star from New York

Looks like a good prospect. Penn State is probably leading here with Uconn, Maryland, BC, and Syracuse trailing. I think Penn State gets him, a pretty good prospect. Has been pretty quiet though.

CB

-Kyshoen Jarrett 5’10 180 4-Star from Pennsylvania

Penn State slowed played him, and didn’t get his offer out until late. Kind of killed Penn State because he would probably be a part of the class by now if we would have offered earlier. Pitt and Penn State are neck and neck right now. He is friends with some of the Pitt players, and they have been working him. Some of the Penn State players have been working him as well, but he is definitely better friends with the Pitt recruits than he is with the Penn State ones. He is tough to gauge because he really flip-flops. One week you hear Penn State is leading and he is recruiting kids to Penn State. Than another week you hear he is leaning towards Pitt. Was suppose to go to a Pitt BBQ last weekend, but ended up not going. I’ve heard contradicting reports, some saying the longer it goes, the better for Penn State. Another says the longer it goes, the worse it is for Penn State. I believe the longer the better. He wants to announce right now, but I think he knows that he isn’t 100% sure. He’ll take Official Visits to a few schools, but Pitt and Penn State are the only players he honestly. You would think Penn State holds a HUGE edge with the Official Visits compared to Pitt. This should last a few more months, but I think he ends up with the Blue and White. Really good kid.

Ben told me I could give my two cents on various Penn State subjects. It won’t be anything major. Just a prediction for Penn State’s next game, and maybe my thoughts on Penn State’s past game. Maybe a few other things, but I’ll save that for another time.

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Thanks for reading. Check back next week.