Has Penn State found a new Southern Pipeline?

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 8:42 AM EDT Comment 34 comments

I live in the deep south. This is a land of SEC football, and Baptist Churches. Throw in an occasional gator or snake, a few trips a week to the golf course (year round mind you) and you pretty much understand my life. I have lived here in the deep south for neary 4 years. When I moved here 4 years ago PSU football was a joke to these people. They would scoff and say about how slow the Big Ten is and chant something about southern speed, blah, blah, blah. But thanks to a couple of good seasons on the gridiron, the success of the white out, and the Rose Bowl people know who PSU is again. That seems to be a big help because recently PSU has started actively recruiting my local area. Three athletes from two local schools have been recruited and offered by PSU. CB Bashaud Breeland of Allendale-Fairfax, and a pair of lineman recruits out of Bamberg Erhardt high school, AJ Cann and Justin Henderson. This is the same school that has produced Ricky Sapp and Daquan Bowers, both of whom have produced at the D1 level. Although Henderson is now a Kentucky commitment it is still exciting to see PSU recruit here.

In the four years I have been here I have seen or heard little about PSU recruiting in this area. All of a sudden the local media is making a big deal about PSU recruiting here and people are asking me all sorts of questions. Breeland's team will play the team I coach for in the second game of the season, I hope to speak to him there and maybe run into him at a few summer passing league deals. But the Lions are definetly interested in the deep south again, and not just the cities either.

Thanks for the fanpost! Please do not post any content from a premium site that requires a subscription. Also, if you just want to share a link consider using fanshots instead. Thanks.

0 recs | Comment 34 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Marcus Lattimore

Don’t forget we are getting an official visit from him. While I highly doubt he will commit its fun to see Penn State’s name in the local papers.

by cjj127 on Apr 28, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't get your hopes up

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Apr 28, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are hopes equivalent to high doubts?

I always kinda thought of them as antonyms ;-)

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 28, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really should be more clear

PSU isn’t even getting a visit. Don’t get your hopes up about the visit.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Apr 28, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

...+ Ty Howle...

who committed early and was on campus / in classes this past January. He’s from a town outside of Raleigh…

"...I got mad, saw a picture of you, and I kicked it..." (JoePa during a 2008 presser)

by BlueWhiteLife on Apr 28, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but I wouldn't call that the Deep South

These three kids I spotlighted all live near the georgia border. This is an area Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson usually lock up. The fact that PSU is getting decent press time is a good sign. I think the whiteouts, and national exposure from the last 4 years has alot to do with it.

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dont tell people in NC that....

I am amazed that many parts of NC seem to be a lot more deep south than the darkest, denkest regions of the state of Georgia. I wouldn’t get too excited about this. PSU has recruited in SC since before Bobby Engram and ususally have at least one SC player on the roster. Don’t forget that Rodney Kinlaw was from Goose Creek, SC. I always like to see PSU keep the best local talent, but like you I am pleased whenever we snag a good one from SEC country. Personally I think the Lions need to hit the Atlanta area harder than they do. This is UGA, Tech and Gator country but there is a HUGE PSU following in the area.

I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?

by pic15 on Apr 28, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

1:15 minute flight………5 million people.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

"If you hear Ric Flair is in town......WOOOOO........you KNOW things are takin' place".

Ric Flair

by ech2os on Apr 28, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watters!!

What up, E?!? It’s Walker….

by Batwing on Apr 28, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well well well........

look who’s still breathin’ :) I ran into Chris at the bowling alley when I was up home a few months ago. I told him to have you get ahold of me.

Shoot me an email so we can catch up. ericwatters@hotmail.com

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

"If you hear Ric Flair is in town......WOOOOO........you KNOW things are takin' place".

Ric Flair

by ech2os on Apr 28, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt they have recruited before, but they always stuck to the Charleston Area

These schools are in the middle of the lowcountry, in a VERY rural region. As far as most folks around here can tell this is the first time PSU has recruited this area with any zest. As for what I meant by deep south had nothing to do with someones perceived"southernness" Hell there are people I knew in Happy Valley who were bigger southerners than some folks down here. But the geographic catageorization of the deep south. This is the deep south, SEC territory, NC is simply ACC land, middle or upper south. Not a knock on anyones culture and heritage, just a geographical fact.

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but will we be too country for these southerners?

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 28, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it will be too white...i am sure of that

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Henderson is committed to Kentucky and I don’t think he was getting an offer. His mesaureables were odd (212 lbs 5.25 40?). Breeland seemingly doesn’t have a ton of interest in PSU. Cann on the other hand would be a nice pick up. I think this is a product of PSU being able to be more selective at some positions this year with a small class and a little more respect around the country. Being selective lets you recruit on a more national scale. I would say that there is a better chance of a California pipeline happening than a southern pipeline. There are just so many schools down there who already do well, where out west, there are less options. PSU used to do well in the Carolinas but they’ve kind of gotten away from that. I believe Courtney Brown was from South Carolina.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Apr 28, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kinlaw was from Goose Creek and Generic Third String Italian QB Paul Cianciolo was from Charleston.

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 28, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I teach with a Breeland's Uncle

The guy says he is infatuated with the night games at PSU. Like I said before I am going to try and get to this kid and speak to him and just let him know what a great place it is.

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Be careful

It’s illegal for alumni to do any recruiting of any time

I know it happens, I’m just saying be wary of announcing it on a blog or so

I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by The VD Special on Apr 28, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And by any time, I mean any kind

I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by The VD Special on Apr 28, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's up dude!

VD, how’s things out and up?

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 28, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is what is awesome about my position

I am not an alumni….just a former local with a big love…I am also a football coach down here and simply want to tell him about the campus…

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well just make sure you've also never donated money to the university, since that would make you a booster

and I’m not sure, but I think even buying tickets can constitute as a contribution (though I forget…I’d have to check my “Booster Guide”

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 28, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never have, and always have tickets given to me by others...

I fit in a loop hole because I am a high school coach. I am not giving this kid anything other than a pov on the PSU campus and football program. If his coach lets me speak with him then it is nothing more than a couple of coaches talking ball with a player…

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You remind me of someone...

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 28, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey all coaches have a little dickrod in them...its part of the genetic makeup...and the brainwashing from the conferences we attend

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Apr 28, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOW...

…but good point none the less ’Easy!

"...I got mad, saw a picture of you, and I kicked it..." (JoePa during a 2008 presser)

by BlueWhiteLife on Apr 29, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hehehehehehehehe....little dick...rod....in them....hehehehehehehe

part of the genetic makeup….hahahahahaheheheheheh

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 29, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

EZ Smith was from North Carolina if I recall correctly

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 28, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought EZ was from

Sherwood Forrest!

One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's

by rahpsu92 on Apr 28, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Courtney Brown...

….wasnt he from South Carolina?

WE ARE.......PENN STATE!

by Nick7 on Apr 28, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Michigan is all over the country...

…why can’t we? The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Mighigan is seeking to add MORE quarterbacks in 2010. If whatever DickRod is selling was available in college, I might have bought some, cause clearly this shit is addicting. Why are these kids considering Michigan with THREE 4- to 5-star QB’s either already there, scheduled for August, or scheduled for next year? Granted I asked this similar question here, but I just can’t wrap my head around stellar HS athletes seriously considering going to Michigan.

All of this being said, and keeping with the original post, why (other than the “storied program” and “snake oil” arguments) does Michigan have so many inroads all over the country? The Free Press article mentions at least 6 different states that Michigan is recruiting for highly touted QBs…why can’t we do that?

by PSUJunny05 on Apr 28, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The grass isn't always greener

We occasionally do get kids from across the country, but it just hasn’t been our Modus Operandi. I like to think that we have doen extremely well with what we have. Despite what anyone says, we do well enough in the mid-atlantic/northeast and do not usually have to over extend ourselves to reach kids across the country. Doing so could “alienate our base” as they say in politics. We get the Daryll Clarks and Deon Butlers of the world and turn them in to greats. In my humble opinion, national recruiting isn’t what we should worry about. Lock up the WPIAL/DC/Jersey, etc and we are fine.

Although, if you look at our recruiting board for this class, you’ll see we have targets in Ill, CA, SC, etc
Why? because we won, we haven’t been winning this way consistently in awhile, when we do it will open up. Basically we aren’t UM, and I don’t ever wanna be UM, I want us to be PSU. If a kid in cali fits, then get him, if not so be it.

Also give me a hard working, good student of a kid in a blue collar PA town over some diva from some recruit factory any day.

Black Shoes.
Basic Blues.
No Name.
All Game.

by Roland86 on Apr 29, 2009 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Inroads and M.O.s

Cross country recruiting was never our MO, but we’d always take a look at a kid if there was a Penn State tie, or if there was genuine interest. Always.

Times change. Ignore Pennsylvania’s shrinking population at your peril. Despite what the yinzers think High School football in Pittsburgh ain’t what it was 20 or 30 years ago and it’s going to take some manner of ecological disaster to switch that back.

The good news. This is the third one of these threads I can remember. Last year it was Texas. A few weeks ago it was Souther California. Now, North Carolina and Kentucky. We have people all over the country, we’re putting it together.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Apr 29, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs