There was a lot of information flying around today, so here is some of it that we've either independently verified or have seen reported elsewhere and can share with you.
- I spoke with WV WR Ryan Switzer just after his visit with Coach O'Brien. He told me that the visit was "going great" and that there is "nowhere else I'd like to be." Switzer made the trip with his father, and was high on the commit alert list. However, he told me that his "mother needs to be a part of my decision." This one should end soon for the No. 1 prospect in West Virginia, and it will almost certainly end well for Penn State fans.
- I also spoke with VA QB Christian Hackenberg who told me the visit "went great, really productive." He spoke with the coaches and "got a really positive vibe all day." He told me he has two visits planned in March (to Miami and South Carolina) but that he "enjoyed the visit."
- Finally, I spoke with CT QB Boeing Brown. He enjoyed his trip as well. He didn't earn an offer, but feels like he is close to one. One interesting note is that Boeing told me the PSU staff is targeting just one quarterback in this class. As expected, it appears that Hackenberg and VA QB Ryan Burns are on top of the list.
- Earning offers today were a number of visitors, including: PA LB Alex Anzalone, OH DB Ross Douglas, PA OL Dorian Johnson, PA LB Zayd Issah, and PA WR Tyler Boyd. Some visitors that were expected to leave with offers did not, though that may be a mere formality.
- Adam Breneman's visit on Friday went very well, and it appears as if Penn State is in very good shape to land the nation's top tight end. He still plans to visit Ohio State next week, so stay tuned for that story.
That's all for now. We'll have more as the week goes on.
Really great to hear this
I am glad that BoB is making such a great impact upon these kids. Now he just needs to seal the deal.
AriesGD - February 18, 2012
Great stuff Jeff
Regarding Brenneman and OSU, I can’t remember Urban Meyer featuring a TE in his offense so hopefully this works out well for PSU.
Artiefufkin10 - February 19, 2012 via mobile
LIke that will stop Urban
From trying to take him for some other position, or install like 2 plays with a TE, just to take another recruit from PSU.
AriesGD - February 19, 2012
Maybe.
But Urban has proven in the past three months that he is one of the country’s best recruiters.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Oh please...
Penn State was easy pickin’s and Urban took advantage of that. Remember; thanks to the NCAA, Urban was allowed to start recruiting while Fickell was coaching the team (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7335111/ohio-state-buckeyes-okd-extra-coaches-bowl). At the same time, Penn State was short 2 coaches (JoePa and McCleary) and had to concentrate on 3 extremely tough games (Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin), manage the Sandusky/JoePa firing with the media and handle recruiting.
Enjoy this time OSU. You have awaken a sleeping Giant.
I’m pretty happen with Penn State’s new coaching staff. The Ohio State University coaching staff: Oops, maybe not as solid as many think (http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/45775/ohio-state-loses-assistant-bill-sheridan).
Guy Kingsley - February 19, 2012
who's McCleary?
Cari Greene - February 19, 2012
Maybe in 2012
But 1) Urbz still had to sell those kids in pretty short order, and 2) their Class of 2013 is already off to a might hot start. And let’s not forget the success he had recruiting at Florida. To think that Meyer isn’t a great recruiter or that you can explain away a lot of his success would be foolish.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Don’t believe everything ESPN tells you.
rugbyrowe - February 19, 2012
ugh
I get this sick feeling in my stomach every time I envision Urbz pitching osu to Brenneman. Losing him to osu would be a huge kick in the balls. I’d rather see him go to Pitt or ND than sec north
moosepsu - February 19, 2012 via Android app
If you think of recruiting as chess...
Taking away a big weapon from BOB will suit Urban just fine…even if he isn’t featured in the Offense.
87Townie - February 19, 2012
Aaron Hernandez
emccomb1 - February 19, 2012
BoB...
…can sell the use of Hernandez better than Urban can.
Cpiritual27 - February 19, 2012
I agree
But its closer than I originally thought. He won the mackey award, was 1st team AA, and led the gators in receiving his Jr season. Another interesting fact from wiki: He was committed to play at UConn with his brother until Urbz infiltrated his iPod and filled it with subliminal messages (I’m convinced that’s how he’s doing this)
moosepsu - February 19, 2012 via Android app
Right.
Meyer coached Aaron Hernandez in high school, I believe. And BOB coached him in the pros. So there’s that.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Meyer coached Hernandez at UF
TJM5054 - February 19, 2012
That's what I meant.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Just wanted to make sure
because Cory James said the same thing.
TJM5054 - February 19, 2012
That's probably why it was in my head.
I remembered reading something like that.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Pros vs. College (H.S.)
I agree coaching him the Pros is better, I was just pointing out to Artie that Urban has “featured” at TE in his system, as much Urban’s features any one guy w/ the exception of Tebow.
That said, I think Hernandez was probably more successful his Jr. year in college than any year in the Pros to date. See moosepsu’s post above.
emccomb1 - February 19, 2012
More successful?
Maybe in terms of awards, but I don’t know that he was any more effective.
2009- UF- 14 games- 68 catches- 850 yards- 5 TDs (1 rush- 16 yards)
2011- NE- 14 games- 79 catches- 910 yards- 7 TDs (5 rushes- 45 yards)
I agree with moose, it’s closer than I thought, but I am not sure he was any more successful, except that he was the best TE in CFB as opposed to the second best TE on his team.
PSUinBOSSton - February 19, 2012
Well yeah, sure he's second best on his own team
but the best TE on his team also happens to be the best TE in the NFL….
psuwxman - February 19, 2012
Yeah, I wasn't trying to downplay his impact.
Just pointing out that his NFL season this year was arguably better. The only reason I think you would say his last year at UF was better was the awards, which he might have received if the best TE in the NFL wasn’t on his team.
PSUinBOSSton - February 19, 2012
who did
how much of those stats were against cupcake non conference teams though for the gators
ktd5048 - February 19, 2012
penn state recruits
Y U NO COMMIT YET!!!!
ktd5048 - February 19, 2012
Wassa matta you?
AriesGD - February 19, 2012
I hate giving predictions and/or percentages.
But Switzer…Monday, at the latest.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
hey jeff
what is with the rumor of the DE allen from VA swinging through this weekend? have you heard much about that…also i had a LJ SR. spotting. looking very fresh in a tailored suit talking some folks outside of the frazier street deli…useless information but i had to tell someone!!!!
ktd5048 - February 19, 2012
Thanks Jeff.
Do you sleep?
What’s the deal with the DE that surprised us coming up with Burns? Did he have an offer? Did he get one? Is he interested or did he just figure he would go for the ride? I would like him to play here I think.
PSUinBOSSton - February 19, 2012
Also, any visitors stop by Thon?
PSUinBOSSton - February 19, 2012
Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything along those lines.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Jonathan Allen.
He had an offer, is a top DE in the country, and there seems to be some initial interest. Not sure why he came, maybe just to see the campus with Burns (whom I hear had a great trip).
As for sleep, meh.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
Is it possible...
To get a recap with… who visits, who has offers prior to these unofficial visits, and who leaves with offers?
PSU_Ovaltine68 - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Generally, that's the plan.
But there were just too many recruits this weekend for us to check in with everyone. Hopefully, in coming weeks, we can have updates before and after visit weekends.
Jeff Junstrom - February 19, 2012
That's cool... understood... thanks.
PSU_Ovaltine68 - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Why would the staff tell recruits they will target 1 QB?
Is it a plan to try getting a top rank QB recruit to commit early? To become a leader in getting others to follow.
PSU_Ovaltine68 - February 19, 2012 via mobile
I think that may be a big indicator of their believe in Bench
jrock4 - February 20, 2012
Good luck
to all of these fine young men, who will ultimately sign with THE Ohio State University
ALL OF THEM.
Tailgate Shogun - February 19, 2012
michigan
got 8 commits this weekend, please psu pull in a few
wicker - February 20, 2012
That just puts Meyer's bullseye on Michigan.
Let him go after those recruits and let us build up a solid class.
I’m really not too concerned about verbal commitments, especially this early. Who knows how much pressure the coaching staff put on those kids to commit and who knows how many of those kids were on a major campus for the first time. I’m jot scared until the kids we target visit Penn State and commit somewhere else. P.S. Michigan still sucks.
Succss With Honor Always - February 20, 2012
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