Letter of Intent Day News and Notes.

[deliverance]

I did see they missed out on him. Kind of surprising. So far they have 4 5-star kids and 12 4-star kids. That's insane.

[vman]

PC has it going on there....had a conversation w/ a well known retired coach in Fla this past week & we talked of the speed of the pro game & kinda broke down the Steelers defense...... he pointed out that USC does the best job of simulating that in practice, as well as in game situations @ the collegiate level (visions of the 1st half of the UPS game danced in my head). But the bigger point, most of these 4 & 5 stars envision themselves playing on Sundays; who else prepares them as well as Pete C. for the pro game?

[deliverance]

Easy question. No one. You can sit on the bench at USC and still play in the NFL. Matt Cassel is the perfect example.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Well, today had a lot of promise for the Nits, but some was salvaged at least. We lost the bidding on Jelani Jenkins to Florida, and Jim Noel stuck with BC, but we did land 4-star WR Justin Brown.

As far as Jenkins goes... It is a bit unnerving. He said that Meyer personally sold him on Florida during an in-home visit. Joe Paterno has not done an in-home visit in 3 seasons, and is an increasing detriment to the Penn State recruiting process. Every coach in the NCAA who brings in top classes actually goes out and puts effort into those classes. To spare everyone a rant, I will stop here, but I think you can imagine my displeasure at how things have been panning out with Paterno as of late, recruiting wise.

All that being said, the rest of the staff, who have to do twice as much work b/c the HC and offensive coordinator refuse to do even a minor amount, have brought in what many people consider to be the best WR class in the entire Paterno era.

WR Shawney Kersey, who was not supposed to be academically eligible for the 2009 season, is indeed eligible and will join Brown and all the rest of the freshmen this June in Happy Valley. Kersey was a 4-star WR who lost a star ranking because he was injured early in his senior year. He's fine. Another example of how retarded Rivals.com is.

As for 2010, it looks like we have about 18 scholarships available, depending on who (if anyone) transfers, and if anyone is not invited back for a 5th year.

Every kid committed to PSU signed their Letter of Intent today, and if nothing else, that's better than how most other schools did today.

[deliverance]

Texas missed out on their two out of state targets. No real big shocker. I don't understand why they can't seem to reel in the big fish from outside of Texas, but at least they made a bigger effort this year. All 20 of their recruits that gave a verbal signed their LOI today.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Does UT chase those kids all year or do they try to jump on out of state kids at the last minute?

[deliverance]

They were interested in both of them the whole time. I just don't think they pursue them as hard as they could. Muschamp visited with both of them multiple times. I think they had more interest in Kennard than any OOS recruit. I was really disappointed that they couldn't get him. One of the rumors I hear is that other schools tell these OOS kids that if they go to Texas that they won't play over in-state prospects, which is a good recruiting strategy. Texas has played their few OOS prospects, but since they don't get many they can't really say a lot about it. Oh well, I am just glad they did really well in-state this year.

[Former Wildcat]

TAE, you said that OSU has "lost a few". Who are these few? They lost Justin Green, but that is not a huge loss. The got Marcus Hall, who was the only recruit left on signing day that they really had a shot at and his is a big get, literally and figuratively. PSU once again has the 3rd best class in the Big 10. I'm not sure why Nit fans are happy with that.

You mentioned JoePa as a problem with PSU recruiting, but I think the bigger problem they have is being unable to get Pennsylvania talent. They got 1 of the top 10 players in the state this year. They did the same last year. For two straight years, the best player in PA went to OSU. By comparison, Ohio State got 7 of the top 10 players in Ohio. OSU typically keeps players in state. If PSU could do this, they would be competing with Mich and OSU in recruiting, instead of always looking up at them. You talk about the WR class, but the best WR in PA, Corey Brown, is on his way to OSU.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Once again, Wildcat needs a history lesson. What's PSU's record against Ohio State?

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Wasn't Brown a cornerback?

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Third best class in the Big Ten based on who's accounts? Scout has them as the 10th class overall, ahead of Michigan. One service has them tied for 14th with Michigan. But of course we are using Rivals because it fits another one of your biased arguments.

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

All I ask is for ppl to be objective. I love these "PSU's class sucks" arguments after they win the Big Ten for the 2nd time in 4 years. PSU, for all the nitpicking I do with them, is in a class with solely Wake Forest as BCS teams who are incredibly adept at finding hidden gems, turning 2 and 3 star players into 4 and 5 star ones. Nobody in this league is better at that than Penn State and Wake Forest.

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Show me this list of 2009 PA players that PSU "didn't get". How many of them had offers to Penn State? Bell and Brown, and I guess Stokes. Stokes was never pursued heavily, and they knew theyw ere getting Justin Brown. Are you including Dan Mason in here as well? The same Dan Mason who never had a written offer to PSU, despite saying numerous times he wanted one, b/c we have better LBers? Are you including Todd Thomas, who UM and PSU cooled on b/c his grades are so bad? Show me your little list.

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Let's take a look at all these kids in PA that PSU DID get, that are supposed to be so awful, shall we.

Eric Shrive: 5-star OT, offers to Ohio State, Florida, ND, and Oklahoma
Mark Arcidiacono, who for some reason is a 2-star player on Rivals but a 4-star on Scout, despite offers to Florida and ND.
Curtis Drake was the PIAA player of the year.
Gary Gilliam was a Parade all-american.
Jordan Hill is regarded by many as the best overall prospect in the entire state.

Tell me more about Pennsylvania.

Oh, and Darrell Givens decommitted from OSU and signed his LOI for Penn State.

Thank you, sir, may I have another?


Here's the top 15 players for 2010 in PA. Lions are in great shape with 15 of 15.


1. Corey Brown, Cardinal O'Hara HS (Springfield) RB- The early favorite to be the top prospect in the state next season thanks mainly to his game-breaking speed. Needs to add weight to his 6'0" 170 pound frame if he wants to be an every down back in college, but he will get that with a college weight training program. Also has great hands and is an elite return man. Tore his MCL early in his junior season, but it didn't require surgery and is expected to be 100 percent healthy by the summer. Early offers have come from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Rutgers, UCLA and many others.



2. Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan HS (Canonsburg) LB- Not big yet at 6'1" and 215 pounds, but he will get big enough. On the slight chance that he doesn't, he has the skill set to also be a safety. Excellent straight line speed and very strong. Great natural instincts and just an excellent football player. Born to play linebacker at PENN STATE, and that's exactly what he's going to do. He verbally committed to the Nittany Lions over offers from Pittsburgh, Michigan, and West Virginia.



3. Paul Jones, Sto-Rox HS (McKees Rocks) QB- The best quarterback prospect in the state. A little raw still, but he has the 6'3" 215 pound size and a cannon for an arm. A pocket passer, but very mobile inside the pocket and can take off and run if need be. High character kid. Committed early to PENN STATE over Pitt, West Virginia, Stanford, Duke, N.C. State and Iowa.



4. Sharrif Floyd, George Washington HS (Philadelphia) DT/OG- Kids from inside Philadelphia are generally under-recruited, but that should change for this 6'4" 300 pound behemoth after he destroyed the competition at a major national underclassmen combine in Texas last month. Played mostly offensive guard in high school so far, and he could project extremely well there also, but a kid this strong and athletic is hard to pass up on the interior defensive line. Dedicated player who raised his own funds in order to attend the combine in Texas. Maryland and Temple have offered early, but there will be many more.



5. Dakota Royer, Manheim Central HS (Manheim) LB- Has starred since he was a freshman and he just keeps getting better. On defense, he has primarily played end, but his lean 6'3 1/2" 225-pound frame is better suited at linebacker, and that's where the position he is being recruited for. Great pass rusher, but he will need to learn to play the other aspects of the position. That shouldn't be a problem for this extremely hard worker. Also an excellent tight end. Has early offers from Pitt, Penn State, Maryland, Illinois, Stanford and Rutgers.



6. Seth Betancourt, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) OT- At 6'6" and 285 pounds, he already has great size with the frame to add more weight. Teammate of blue-chipper Mark Arcidiacono, who committed to Penn State this season. Blessed with great coaching. good feet and excellent technique. The early favorite to be the No.1 offensive lineman in the state next season. Early offers include Penn State, Rutgers, Duke and Temple.



7. Kyle Baublitz, Central York HS (York) DE/TE- Was a major force as a junior, both as a tight end and as a huge 6'4" 255 pound middle linebacker. Has good speed and athletic ability, which could make him a nice pass rusher at the next level. High energy, very productive player and an excellent student. Early offers include Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Clemson and Stanford.



8. Alex Kenney, State College HS (State College) WR- A track star and the fastest football player in the state, but he has football instincts, too. Great after the catch, using quick moves instead of just straight line speed. Unlike most speed demons, he isn't small at 6'0" and 185 pounds. Also a great return man. Early offers have come from Penn State, Pitt, Boston College, Illinois, Stanford and Virginia.



9. Brandon Ifill, Penn Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB- Smooth athlete with excellent speed and football skills. Has started since he was a sophomore, no small feat in the highly competitive WPIAL Quad A. Good cornerback size at 6'0" and 180 pounds, but will need to add more muscle. Can also project at wide receiver. Early offers include Pitt, Penn State, Michigan and Maryland.



10. Cullen Christian, Penn Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB- Needs to add weight to his 160-pound frame, but he has very good corner height at 6'0”. In addition to his nice height, he also has very long arms. Excellent speed. Raw player before his junior season as he was mostly a star track performer, but he currently has colleges drooling with is combination of speed, length and height. Early offers have come from Pitt, Michigan and Maryland.



11. Andrew Carswell, Sto-Rox HS (McKees Rocks) WR- Big 6'4" 200 pound receiver with great hands. Not a blazer, but he has good speed and athletic ability. Great instincts and knowledge of the position. Early offers from Pitt, N.C. State, and Duke but could really impress over the spring and summer camp circuit.



12. Anthony Gonzalez, Liberty HS (Bethlehem) S/QB- Came on like gangbusters as a junior, leading his team to the Quad A state championship over Bethel Park. Excels at both quarterback and safety, but at the next level he may project better in the defensive backfield. However, in certain offenses, he could perhaps play quarterback. More of a runner than a passer, and would need to work on his passing skills if he wants to be a quarterback. Excellent athlete and superb football instincts. High character kid and a winner. Has early offers from Penn State and Pittsburgh.



13. Kenny Wilkins, Trinity HS (Washington) DE- Rangy and productive end who plays sideline to sideline. As of now, he's 6'4" and 225 pounds, so he must get bigger and stronger, but has the frame to add a lot of good weight. Illinois, Minnesota and Cincinnati are his early offers. He is the type that will impress in camps and combines this year so his offer list should grow a lot over the summer.


14. Miles Dieffenbach, Fox Chapel Area HS (Fox Chapel) OL- Currently the top OL prospect in the Pittsburgh area, he combines excellent 6'5" 275 pound size with quick feet. Can project at guard, tackle, or center at the next level. Very aggressive blocker. Excellent student. His father has been the tennis coach at Pitt for a long time and the Panthers are his lone offer so far.



15. Luke Graham, Penn-Trafford HS (Harrison City) OT- At 6'5" and 260 pounds, he has the great frame to add a lot of good weight. Very quick feet, very agile, and extremely aggressive. Has early offers from Illinois and Duke.




Dakota Royer is a heavy PSU lean and will probably be the next commit. When this all sinks in your thick head, let me know.

[Former Wildcat]

PSU is 6-10 against OSU since joining the Big 10, including 2-5 in the past 7 years.


Brown is a CB but he has also played WR. Did you see the TD catch in the Army AA game? Wasn't Ginn Jr. a CB?

I looked at Rivals and ESPN. I don't have time to look at every site. I'm not sure about the biased comment. I certainly did not screen a number of sites to choose one that fits my arguments if that is what you are suggesting.

Laurenaitis and Jenkins and AJ Hawk were all 3 star prospects. How many 3 and 2 star prospects has PSU had drafted in the 1st round in the past 5 years?

To see the list, check Rivals, but of course, they fit my "biased argument". And if they didn't get offers from PSU, why isn't PSU offering the best players in their state?

Is this Jordan Hill from Steel-High? Who thinks he is the best prospect in the state? I grew up near Harrisburg and have spoken to people who have seen him play. In their words, "he is good but not great."

At this point, I refuse to read through your detailed analysis of the class of 2010. Let this sink in. OSU has a better program than PSU. We have won 4 straight Big 10 titles. We have played in BCS bowls in 6 of the past 7 years, winning 3 of them. We have 1st round draft choices every year. Our coach is a class act, not a relic.