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Ranking the best position hauls in Penn State Football’s 2023 recruiting class

By Alec Whitaker

Penn State head coach James Franklin takes a group photo with PSU recruits before the 2022 Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 042322 Bluewhite
Penn State head coach James Franklin takes a group photo with PSU recruits before the 2022 Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 042322 Bluewhite /
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Penn State’s Brenton Strange (86) celebrates a first down during the second half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.Iu Psu Fb Strange
Penn State’s Brenton Strange (86) celebrates a first down during the second half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.Iu Psu Fb Strange /

3. Tight End

Since Mike Gesicki emerged back in 2016, Penn State has become a destination for tight ends.

That continued in the 2023 recruiting class with the Nittany Lions adding multiple 4-stars to the tight end room. We know that 4-stars Andrew Rappleyea and Joey Schlaffer will be tight ends, but 4-star athlete Mathias Barnwell could join them after being announced as a tight end on signing day.

Rappleyea, who flipped his commitment from Michigan, headlines the group. The 6-foot-5 tight end is rated as the No. 126 player in the composite and the No. 6 tight end. He has drawn comparisons to fellow Massachusetts product Pat Freiermuth.

As for Schlaffer, the in-state product is listed as the No. 306 player in the country. His 6-foot-6 frame will make him a big target, but he probably needs to add some weight, being listed at 215 pounds. Regardless, he was one of the most productive pass catchers in the Pennsylvania high school ranks in 2022.

The wildcard that is Barnwell is currently listed at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds. He is the No. 414 player in the nation and one of the more intriguing members of Penn State’s class.

Rappleyea will have an argument for playing time in 2023, but this group will be looked at as the future of The Aces once Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren move on.

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