Born and raised in Huntingdon, PA, just outside of State College, John O'Korn moved to Florida to be closer to family at age 16. Despite the increased distance from the Penn State campus, O'Korn is looking for an offer from Penn State and a chance to possibly return to Pennsylvania to play college football.
The 6-3, 210-pound junior O'Korn currently plays for St. Thomas Aquinas, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where his sights are set on improving on his junior season.
"Last year we had a good season, but we didn't reach our goals and we have a lot to improve on this offseason. We are returning a lot of starters, including many on the offensive line. I'm excited to get back to work with all of my teammates and start working towards another state and national title run.
"Anything short of that would be a disappointment. There are expectations at St. Thomas Aquinas that no other high school in the country has."
While looking forward to his senior season, O'Korn is also beginning his recruitment process, and is hearing from some top schools around the country, and is looking to hear from two more.
"I don't have any offers yet but I'm hearing from a ton of schools. Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, USF and Wisconsin have all showed a lot of interest and I talk to their coaches on a weekly basis. I'm really hoping to hear more from Alabama and Penn State.
"Things will really pick up when spring practice starts and I can prove myself to coaches who come out to our practices."
Growing up nearby, O'Korn is very familiar with Penn State and all it stands for, so getting up for a visit isn't a pressing issue at the moment. The distance doesn't help, so for now, he's visiting regional schools. He recently visited Georgia, and has plans to make a trip to South Florida, Florida, and Florida State in the coming weeks.
The one obvious change since O'Korn left Pennsylvania is the new coaching staff at Penn State, and O'Korn has certainly taken notice.
"[Penn State] is definitely a top choice for me and Coach O'Brien's offensive mind makes me even more interested."
In addition to Wisconsin, O'Korn is getting interest from other northern schools like Rutgers, West Virginia, and Boston College. But one seems to stand out for the quick quarterback, who said he would prefer a pro or spread style offense over a spread offense.
"We'll have to see how it all plays out, but an offer from Penn State is something I've been hoping for."
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0 recs | 16 comments
He still has the 814 area code
Bring that boy home.
emccomb1 - February 16, 2012
SEC type of speed?
SweepTheLeg - February 16, 2012
Don't know whether you know this or not...
but he has many leather-bound books…
Batwing - February 16, 2012
St. Thomas Aquinas
Is one of the top HS football schools in FL. They always have multiple D1 recruits.
PaJoe - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Um yeah
gonna need an offer here I think
farrellpsu - February 16, 2012
Can we take 5 quarterbacks?
I’ve been impressed with all the quarterbacks we’re recruiting. I’m impressed by the 4.2 gpa. He seems like a player.
psfann - February 16, 2012
St. Thomas Aquinas
Is one of the top HS football schools in FL. They always have multiple D1 recruits.
PaJoe - February 16, 2012 via mobile
And how can you not like a kid wirth a last name like "O'Korn"?
Would a lofted, easily catchable pass from this kid be known as a Can O’Korn?
icavalera - February 16, 2012
St. Thomas Aquinas + O'Korn's Penn State Adoration =
A recruiters drea. Aquinas is a powerhouse and maybe we could tap into FL with this guy. Hopefully he has the recruiting skills like my boy Bench.
SaintJoePa045 - February 16, 2012
*dream
Whoops… My fault
SaintJoePa045 - February 16, 2012
Would love to get a guy out of that school in Florida
and really all of these QB’s sound great.
FB6244 - February 17, 2012
I grew up in Mount Union. If he's originally from Huntingdon, screw him. We can go elsewhere.
But, seriously, I think O’Brien is going to get us quarterbacks we really haven’t been able to land since the NCAA reduced scholarships in the early 1990’s.
Time may prove me wrong, but I’m really looking forward to see what BOB is going to bring here. We just have to remember it may take him a year or two to get the players in he needs to do what he wants to do. If the scandal taught us anything, it should be to have patience and not rush to judgment.
Ab4PSU - February 17, 2012
Trojan
I am from Huntingdon and I am close to the O’Korn family being that I graduated with John’s older brother. Just because we are rivals doesn’t mean we need to bash the kid because he is from Huntingdon. Stay classy.
MillerTime89 - February 17, 2012
No offense.
I probably should have used the
sarcasm fontwhen making that statment about Huntingdon.On a serious note, sounds like a hell of a kid. I hope we land him. Sounds maybe like he’s interested in coming home.
Ab4PSU - February 17, 2012
I don't agree we didn't land any QB's
I think it’s more like we didn’t develope any QB’s. We recruited a lot of 3 & 4 star recruits even a 5 star but they NEVER got much better with the exception of maybe Michael Robinson.
NJDeadhead - February 17, 2012
Don't forget Darryll Clark.
Personally, I think Clark was better than Robinson. But both were instrumental in putting the dark years behind us.
Ab4PSU - February 17, 2012
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