Penn State unexpectedly picked up their third verbal commitment this weekend when Mandeville, LA linebacker Mike Mauti told Joe Paterno in person he wanted to come play in Happy Valley.
It's rather unusual for Penn State to pull a kid out of Louisiana. It's not exactly our natural recruiting ground. But Mauti is different since he's a legacy. His father, Rich, played wide receiver for the Nittany Lions and his brother Patrick is currently on the team as a walk-on wide receiver.
As a junior Mauti recorded 121 tackles, 24 TFL, four sacks, and two interceptions. According to Rivals.com he stands 6'2", weighs 215 lbs, and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. The recruiting service rates him as a three star prospect. Mauti turned down offers from eleven other schools including Florida and Oklahoma
Mauti joins Matt Stankiewitch and Mike Zordich in the next class of Nittany Lions. He and Zordich complete two-thirds of the Mike trifecta at linebacker. Later this week it is anticipated the Nittany Lions will be getting a verbal committment from Washington, PA linebacker Mike Yancich.
Welcome to the family, Mike. We Are Penn State!