Give me commit #20 and a SIREN WHOOOOOOO!!!

More good news on the recruiting front as Penn State landed a verbal commitment from Virginia offensive lineman Khamrone Kolb right after the game on Saturday.

Kolb is the fourth offensive lineman in this class along with Miles Dieffenbach, Luke Graham, and Thomas Ricketts. Both recruiting services rank him as a three star prospect. Though there may be an urge with this star studded recruiting class to look at a three star prospect and wonder, "Why are we taking this kid?" Make no mistake, Kolb is a solid Div IA prospect. He had a list of offers from schools like Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Syracuse.

I had a chance to watch some of his film this morning and I came away pretty impressed. Kolb shows a nice nasty streak and holds his blocks well. He's stays on his man until he either puts him on his back or he hears the whistle blow. On some plays you can see the play gain 20 yards, and Kolb is still back at the line of scrimmage roughing up some poor defensive end. I'm also impressed with his athleticism. In this video by the Washington Post, you can hear his coaches talk about how they move him around from the offensive line to tight end, fullback, and even the slot to take advantage of his blocking ability.

With the addition of Kolb, recruiting is most likely done for the offensive line. By my projections there are still one or two slots available in this class. Mr. Floyd and Mr. Lattimore...come on down!

Gimme another flesh-eating linebacker and a siren WHOOOOOO!!!!!

The 2010 Penn State recruiting class juggernaut continues to roll as today the Nitts got a major commitment from Connecticut linebacker Khairi Fortt. Fortt is scheduled to make the announcement at a press conference at his local high school later this afternoon, but Sports Illustrated has let the cat out of the bag early.

"I picked Penn State because I thought it was a great institution and program where I could mature as a man and role model," Fortt said. "All of the other colleges had wonderful aspects but Penn State had the 'IT' factor and full package, which set them apart from any other school for me."

Fortt is a highly coveted target by most of the major football programs in the country. Fortt held an offer list that included Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, and North Carolina. Ultimately it came down to a decision between Penn State and Georgia. Fortt made a visit to Georgia a few weeks ago and the Bulldogs coaches made a big impression on him. But apparently, the players put in charge of hosting Fortt completely blew it.

Fortt had a great visit when he went to Georgia during the summer. He made an instant connection with coach Mark Richt and his staff, loved the campus and program and the school vaulted Penn State at the time.

Fortt made his official visit to Georgia on the weekend of Sept. 12 and saw the Bulldogs' 41-37 win over South Carolina. Fortt, who has family in the area, said his mind changed when, on two different occasions, the players who were put in charge of showing him around abandoned him. On one instance, Fortt was left to wander the campus by himself early in the morning.

"Two guys left me," Fortt said. "I was left at a dorm party with people I didn't know. Once I was just walking alone in the streets. Georgia is a school in the south, in a top conference, the SEC, the weather is warm, I have a lot of family there and the academics are good. It was all how I connected with the players."

Fortt came home and had pretty much decided he would commit to the Nittany Lions. He went with his family two weekends ago back to the Penn State campus for one final look, which finalized the process.

Thanks Georgia!    S-E-C!     S-E-C!       S-E-C!

As a junior, Fortt recorded 118 tackles and two interceptions. He also caused four fumbles. ESPN has this to say.

Fortt is a strong, physically stout linebacker prospect and maybe one of the better projected strong side 'backers in this class. Has all the physical attributes you look for in the position. Tall, thickly-built with explosive power and functional strength. High-cut frame but still plays with good bend in his knees, flexibility and leverage. We would like to see him make quicker reads on the football between the tackles, but he still shows the good downhill burst to beat blockers to the point of attack and blow up the inside run. Can mirror with good short-area change-of-direction skill between the tackles. One of the better linebackers we have seen in this class at stalemating the cutoff block when reached at the second level and shedding demonstrating his impressive hand strength. Does tend to open up his whole body and will need to work slipping the blocks of bigger linemen at the next level. Flashes good lateral agility and hips pursuing outside of the tackles with direct angles to the ball. Long strider who covers a lot of ground quickly sideline-to-sideline. Closes on the ball carrier with good burst and velocity in space. Very strong, explosive tackler. However, he does flash some stiffness opening to turn and run on pursuit and in coverage. May struggle if matched up in space. Has some original wasted motion and we have concerns about his ability to consistently make plays inside-out on faster ball carriers at the next level. Not real reactive or fast-twitched. While he certainly shows good range and lateral agility for his size, physical tools and skill-set may be better suited in the short-range as a strong or inside 'backer. We question his competition at times but he physically dominates which is what you want to see happen.

Here's what you've won.

'10 CT LB Khairi Fortt (via RedshirtScouting)

Gimme a four-star defensive end and a siren WHOOOOOO!!!

Well this is a good way to start a Monday. Penn State has landed a verbal commitment from four-star defensive end Dominique Easley of Staten Island.

"I always liked Penn State," said Easley, who gave the coaching staff his commitment on Saturday after watching the fifth-ranked Nittany Lions defeat Temple, 31-6, on a campus visit. "I didn’t think I was going to commit, but being out there and talking to everybody made me feel like this was the place."

Easley becomes Penn State's 18th verbal commitment in their star-studded recruiting class for 2010. He is labeled a four-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout. Both services rank him the top prospect in the state of New York. Name a big program, and chances are Easley had an offer from them. Michigan, Boston College, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Rutgers, and Syracuse just to name a few.

Easley recorded 51 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior. Three games into his senior year he already has 25 tackles and 5 sacks.

Gimme a badly-needed defensive end and a wooooooo.

We don't want to bump CarolinaEasy's analysis too far down the page, so we'll make this short and sweet.  Details are sketchy at this juncture, but BWI is reporting that Penn State bagged Michigan defensive end C.J. Olaniyan today.  Here's his Scouts Inc. profile from ESPN.  Yay.

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Gimme a throwback fullback and siren WHOOOOOO!!!

In this day and age where national recruits like to hold elaborate press conferences on ESPN where they play watch the shuffling hats, it's refreshing to see a kid who just nonchalantly tells his local newspaper beat reporter, "Oh yeah, I called Penn State and committed today."

He noted that the coaching staff's ability to call the right play at the right time has been a major boon. But perhaps more importantly for (Zach) Zwinak, he no longer has to worry about what school he'll be playing for in 2010. After Friday night's game, he made a call to Penn State to verbally commit.

"It's a great school, great people, great football," Zwinak said. "It's a relief. I can just focus on my team and the season."

Rivals lists Mr. Zwinak as the No. 1 fullback in the nation and the fourth best player in Maryland. In his junior year he rushed 133 times for 1,447 yards and 19 TD.

Here's what you won.

He's a quarterback killin', pool-jumpin' son of a gun, wooooooooo!

We wear pads and sleeves at this level, son.  Understood?  (via blogs.lancasteronline.com)

Manheim Central's Dakota Royer (4* Rivals, 3* Scout) has unsurprisingly selected Penn State.  This has been in the works for a few months and was never really in doubt.  Scouts Inc. with the love (Royer's on the ESPNU 150 Watch List):

It is pretty tough not to like Royer. This kid is a football player and fun to watch. Does not come across as the biggest kid on film, but his listed size is solid. He plays on both sides of the ball, but on defense is where this kid belongs. He most likely projects to defensive end where he plays in high school, but we would not be surprised to see him get a look at outside linebacker also in college depending on where he goes.

He has a good get-off and at times will flash real good quickness. He is a tough kid with that Pennsylvania blue collar feel to his game. He is physical at the point of attack and good with his hands. He can bring them, separate, and shed. Does a good job of coming across the ball, breaking down, and being able to shuffle and close daylight. Comes across as pretty heady kid with a good feel for the game and a nose for the ball. Runs well and has a great motor. He is a solid tackler though he does tend to overrun the ball and have to grab for cloth to bring the ball carrier down.

As a pass rusher you would not expect it, but the kid has some speed rush flare to him. He can get up-field, attack the outside shoulder, get some body lean, and turn the corner. He is active with his weapons and will work to battle and get free. Royer is a player and one of those kids who seems to just find a way to get things done. He mixes ability, with effort, and smarts and should be a good and productive college player.

Royer's highlights from last season:

Dakota Royer Junior Highlights (via psualldaycuin10)

And of course, the pool thing:

Dakota Royer jumps out of 4 foot pool! (via lowen4johnson)

There's a lot going on today, what with Big Ten Media Days and all (streaming video link), but we'd be slacking if we didn't mention that tight end prospect Kevin Haplea (3* Rivals, 4* Scout) chose Penn State this morning.  This was not exactly a surprise.

What say you, free internet recruiting evaluation?

Haplea is a tight end prospect who displays the tools to be a pretty productive and well-rounded player at the position in college. He is used in the passing game, but really shines as a blocker. Has experience playing as an inline blocker and can create some push in the run game. He makes good initial contact and does a good job getting placement and at times leverage with his hands. When he gets his hands inside and can lock on he is tough to beat. Displays the ability to generate power from his hips and move his feet to create a push. He displays good strength and some tenaciousness as a blocker. You would like to see him more quickly snap his hips at times and needs to watch his pad level.

Does a solid job of climbing up to the second level and getting a piece of moving targets. He has solid size for the position and should be able to add more bulk with time in a college weight program. He is also a productive receiver. Displays solid speed for his size. Displays the ability to track the ball and make the over-the-shoulder grab and go up and get the ball. He tends to catch the ball into his body. Really seems best in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Runs hard with the ball and can be a guy that helps move the chains. Haplea is a good well-rounded prospect.

Gimme speed to burn and a wooo wooooooooo.

Per BWI, Alex Kenney has finally pulled the trigger and chosen Penn State:

The speedy rising senior, who posted a district record 10.64-second 100-meter dash this spring and took home a state silver medal at states, continues the Nittany Lions' infusion of top-flight speed into the program. He also picked up a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter dash at states this spring.

Kenney was an all-state selection as a sophomore and junior, and caught 16 passes for 240 yards, and ran for 670 yards. He played wing back for the Little Lions, who finished the season 12-1.

Here's what you've won:

PA 2010 Alex Kenney State College ATH25 (via ScoutingOhio)

ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. says...

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