Predicting where Penn State’s remaining targets will commit
By Marty Leap
With National Signing Day (February 3) now less than a month away, Penn State’s 2016 recruiting class is almost wrapped up. The Nittany Lions currently own one of the best recruiting classes in the country, checking in at 13th nationally according to 247 Sports. The Nittany Lions’ class currently has 18 commits and is likely to add at least three or four more players between now and February 3.
Here are my predictions for which program each of Penn State’s remaining targets will sign a letter of intent for come Signing Day.
Linebacker Brendan Ferns
Arguably the nation’s top middle linebacker prospect, the St. Clairsville (OH) native has had a final two of Penn State and West Virginia since last spring. This came after he dropped his home state Buckeyes for not offering his major, petroleum engineering.
Ferns long seemed like a heavy West Virginia lean, thanks in large part to his brother playing there, but this changed during the contact period as Penn State’s staff worked much harder than West Virginia’s to make sure Ferns knew he was a priority for the Nittany Lions.
Ferns will take an official visit to both Morgantown and Happy Valley in January, and will not announce his decision until signing day. Ultimately, I believe the hard work of Penn State’s staff pays off and that the four-star prospect ends up at Linebacker U.
Final Prediction: Penn State
Defensive Back Jordan Fuller
The 4-star New Jersey native recently told both 247 Sports and Scout that he has a final four of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State. Fuller has already taken an official visit to Notre Dame, and will officially visit his other three finalists in January.
Fuller’s recruitment is a tough one to read, and while I’d love to see him in blue and white I just do not see it happening. Right now, I believe he’ll end up a Buckeye. However, a strong official visit to Michigan or Penn State in January could change my outlook.
Final Prediction: Ohio State
Defensive Back Damar Hamlin
Hamlin recently released a top three of Ohio State, Penn State, and Pitt, dropping Notre Dame from his finalists. Hamlin will take an official visit to Ohio State January 15, Penn State January 22, and Pitt January 29. Hamlin’s recruitment is one that, like Fuller, is tough to read.
Hamlin could end up at any of his three finalists without surprising me, and this one may end up hinging on which official visit he enjoys best. In the end though, sadly, I see Hamlin ending up a Pitt Panther.
Final Prediction: Pitt
Athlete Khaleke Hudson
McKeesport (PA) native Khaleke Hudson is one of the most versatile athletes in this region in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Over the summer Hudson attempted to commit to Penn State, but, at the time, he was not a take for the Nittany Lions.
I am a huge fan of Hudson’s, believe he is grossly underrated, and hope that the Nittany Lions not taking him over the summer does not come back to bite them. Hudson has already taken an official visit to UCLA, and will take official visit to Michigan (Jan. 15), Penn State (Jan. 22), and Pitt (Jan. 29) next month. Hudson could play safety, linebacker, or running back in college, and Penn State is recruiting him as a DB/LB hybrid.
Prior to a week or two ago I would have said this one was Penn State all the way, but after talking to a couple of sources who have ties to the going ons in Ann Arbor I can report that Michigan is indeed a very real threat here. I expect Hudson to end up at either Penn State or Michigan, and right now I am still predicting he ends up a Nittany Lion. However, this one might be a coin flip and come down to which official visit he enjoys best.
Final Prediction: Penn State
Wide Receiver Nate Johnson
The Tennessee native, and Michigan commit, will take an official visit to Penn State on January 29. Penn State continues to seem primed to take just one wide receiver, if any, in this class with Tre Nixon as their top target. However, the staff would love to add the play making Johnson if they have the chance.
If Penn State misses out on Tre Nixon, I believe the staff would really begin to push for Johnson. The staff likes Johnson a lot and thinks very highly of him or else he would not be taking an official visit next month. In the end though I believe Johnson sticks with the Wolverines.
Final Prediction: Michigan
Wide Receiver Tre Nixon
Dating back to when he was offered last summer, Tre Nixon has been the staff’s top wide receiver target for the 2016 recruiting cycle. Nixon would immediately become the fastest player on the roster, and one of the fastest in the entire Big Ten. Nixon last visited Penn State for the Lasch Bash in July, and appears to be down to either Penn State or his home state Florida Gators.
Nixon has toyed with committing a couple times, but that has not happened yet. It is also possible he could take official visits in January with Penn State, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M all being in contention for official visits.
Penn State has made Nixon a priority since day one, and he has reiterated on more than one occasion that no one is recruiting him as hard as Penn State. In the end, much like with Brendan Ferns, I believe the staff’s relentless recruiting pays off with Nixon.
Final Prediction: Penn State
Safety Kyzir White
The Lackawanna Community College product has been committed to West Virginia since June, however, he visited Penn State for the game against Michigan in November and will take an official visit to Happy Valley the weekend of January 22. With safety being a huge position of concern entering 2016, the staff remains in hot pursuit of White who could step in and start right away opposite Marcus Allen.
Based off of some intel I have been able to gather with someone I know close to the Lackawanna program, I expect White to flip to the Nittany Lions before signing day. Honestly, I am a little surprised that White has not flipped his commitment yet.
Final Prediction: Penn State
Even though there is less than a month to go until signing day, a lot could still change between now and then. Players could eliminate schools and new offers could still be handed out. Remember, last year at this time Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor did not even have Penn State offers yet. So, stay tuned here at Victory Bell Rings as I continue to try and bring all the latest Penn State Football recruiting news.