Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Trent Richardson Interviews Fellow Brown Brandon Weeden

An Interview With Class of 2013 FL QB John O'Korn

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."

Star-divide

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."

Be sure to become a fan of BSD on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Comment 16 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

St. Thomas Aquinas

Is one of the top HS football schools in FL. They always have multiple D1 recruits.

If you are tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department normally uses water.

by PaJoe on Feb 16, 2012 7:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Um yeah

gonna need an offer here I think

Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things

by farrellpsu on Feb 16, 2012 8:04 PM EST reply actions  

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.

by psfann on Feb 16, 2012 8:39 PM EST reply actions  

St. Thomas Aquinas

Is one of the top HS football schools in FL. They always have multiple D1 recruits.

If you are tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department normally uses water.

by PaJoe on Feb 16, 2012 9:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

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?

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 16, 2012 10:29 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

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.

"...this much is clear to me. If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno." -Phil Knight

by SaintJoePa045 on Feb 16, 2012 11:12 PM EST reply actions  

*dream

Whoops… My fault

"...this much is clear to me. If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno." -Phil Knight

by SaintJoePa045 on Feb 16, 2012 11:12 PM EST up reply actions  

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.

by Ab4PSU on Feb 17, 2012 11:15 AM EST reply actions  

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.

by MillerTime89 on Feb 17, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

No offense.

I probably should have used the sarcasm font when 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.

by Ab4PSU on Feb 17, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions  

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.

by NJDeadhead on Feb 17, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't forget Darryll Clark.

Personally, I think Clark was better than Robinson. But both were instrumental in putting the dark years behind us.

by Ab4PSU on Feb 17, 2012 2:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Black Shoe Diaries. If you haven't already done so, create an account and get involved in the conversation.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Avatar2_small
Sad News: 717's Own, Reading Rambler Passes On
154690_10100374022013820_13900087_66639438_4085030_n_small
Breaking Down Penn State's Inaugural D1 Hockey Schedule
At_the_foot_of_a_legend_small
My Obligatory Off-Season Book Post

Recent FanPosts

Hugh_griffith_small
Food for Thursday....The PA Pineapple Company
Psukoolaid_small
Suggestions for fun in Minneapolis?
1-joe-paterno_small
Please clarify your posting policy.
A_cullen_the_bug_small
JoePa & Esquire - and other stories
Jet_ski_jump__reef_central_avatar__small
Sandusky Jury Selection Begins June 5th
Small
Kameron Miles
Small
ESPN - reporting PSU considering schedule changes
Joepa1_small
Jimmy Johnson's worst loss

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SHOP THE BLACK SHOE DIARIES STORE

Gameday Depot University Apparel


Managing Editors

Zn_avatar_small Mike Pettigano

Img110_small Jeff Junstrom

Asst. Editors

6a00d8341c630a53ef0105369fb7ee970b-800wi_small Jared Slanina

Olmec_small Devon Edwards

Baller_small Eric Gibson

Mauti_small Cari Greene

Staff Writers

Iron_armor_small Galen

New4_good_small Nick Blonde

Turd_ferguson_psu_small Tim Aydin

On_the_way_to_grad_small Kyle_Martin

N53100510_31463067_5584_small Adam Collyer

Bus-fire-bikes_small Dan Vecellio

What-a-country-yakov_small bscaff

Small Keith Platt

Small TimHyland