This is the home stretch.  As we wait these couple weeks out, ponder our recruiting fate, I was trying to remember the last LOI day in which we had some good news.  Seems that all the kids that wait till then pass us over, and we even get a few (Mike Shaw) that really stick it to us.  I can't remember the last time we got a kid who's decision came down to LOI day, and I think that says something about the type of recruit that chooses Penn State.

COMMITTED/UNSIGNED	Pos	Stars	Ht	Wt	40	RR	Video	Enrolled	Hometown
Kyle Baublitz	TE		6-4	254	5.13	5.8			York, PA
Robert Bolden	QB		6-4	195	4.5	5.9			Orchard Lake, MI
Miles Dieffenbach	OL		6-5	277	5.5	5.8			Pittsburgh, PA
Khairi Fortt	LB		6-2	220	4.58	6.0			Stamford, CT
Luke Graham	OL		6-5	260	-	5.7			Harrison City, PA
Evan Hailes	DT		6-1	305	5	5.8			Chesapeake, VA
Kevin Haplea	TE		6-4	226	4.75	5.7			Annandale, NJ
Mike Hull	LB		6-1	215	-	5.9			Canonsburg, PA
Daquan Jones	OL		6-4	302	5.4	5.7			Johnson City, NY
Paul Jones	QB		6-3	226	-	5.9			McKees Rocks , PA
Alex Kenney	WR		6-0	194	4.41	5.7			State College, PA
Khamrone Kolb	OL		6-6	300	5.1	5.5			Burke, VA
Levi Norwood	WR		6-2	170	-	5.5			Waco, TX
C.J. Olaniyan	DE		6-5	230	4.65	5.8			Warren, MI
Silas Redd	RB		5-10	200	4.45	6.0			Stamford, CT
Thomas Ricketts	OL		6-6	265	-	5.8			Wexford, PA
Dakota Royer	DE		6-3	211	4.66	5.8			Manheim, PA
Zach Zwinak	RB		6-2	230	4.5	5.8			Frederick, MD

The Glass Is Half Empty

Lost a couple of good recruits this month, Coxson is gone, probably to Florida.  Easley is gone, to Florida.  Floyd also went to Florida.  So that's like...  3 of our top prospects, two of which were at some point Penn State verbal committments.   Lattimore just crossed us off his list...  Uh so...  Yeah it hasn't been a real great month for recruiting, we took a pretty healthy step back in the national rankings.  Oh but we're likely to get a verbal commit from Pullium, a 3 star ATH, so we've got that going for us.  Thornton is also reportedly 50/50 on Penn State; whatever, at least Florida isn't on his list he'll probably end up at Florida too.

The Glass is Half Full 

Penn State is out of scholarships.  Out.  85 is how many you're allowed, and 85 is how many we've promised to current players and verbal commits.  That's after Coxson and Easley left us.  So in all likelyhood they did us a favor by freeing up a scholarship to a kid that actually deserves one.  Easley was always a Florida lean, and Coxson fell out of favor with the coaches months ago.  We're going to get Pullium, so that puts us over, but lil' Norwood may take a greyshirt (play for Penn State w/out a scholly until one is available).  If anyone else committs, say Thronton, there's also a chance that one of our verbal commits may need a year of prep school which won't count against our limit. 

Names to keep an eye on

Pullium UPDATE is reportedly a lock for Penn State Committed to Penn State, he's a 3 star ATH who probably should be a 4-star DB but he plays QB for a smaller highschool up in Erie.  Voted first-team AAA All-State defense.  Loves Penn State, had us as his leader before we even offered.

Thornton UPDATE is 50/50 33/33/33 on us, and his list is down to Georgia, Kentucky, and PSU.  PSU is considered a long-shot at best, with Georgia being a near lock given the proximity and SEC appeal.  Didn't visit USC, despite recent offer and plans to do so.  His decision will be on signing day and probably involve some dramatic hat selection.  I am just brimming with anticipation.

Schwab UPDATE: Rumors indicate he's headed to Arizona State... 

Clemmings If you believe everything you read on the message boards, we have a shot at him decommitting and giving PSU a look.  I don't believe a word of it, for the record.