Yea, yea, yea...Alabama Week and all that. But along with the Crimson Tide, Happy Valley will play host to many recruits from the Class of 2012 and beyond, some of whom will likely end up donning the Blue and White uniforms they see on the field. One that certainly will, Cam Williams, ran into some travel issues before finally finding a ride. Williams and good friend (and fellow commit) Jake Kiley are among the players that will be in attendance. While this might not seem like big news, getting Cam on the field with all of the other recruits, especially the non-committed ones, is a major asset for Penn State.
So who else will be around? Sean Fitz has confirmed the planned attendance of one highly sought five-star recruit ($). Further, Adam Breneman, TE (PA, Class of 2013) will be in attendance. Breneman will be a top target in PA for next year's class. The Courtship of Kent Taylor will determine how hard the staff pursues Breneman, who also holds offers from Pitt, among others. We'll try to get a more updated list out later in the week.
Oh, and if you don't understand the reference in the title, educate yo'self, fool.
Penn State Class of 2012 commitments listed above each group in bold with commitment dates
Quarterback (2012 Quota: 1-2)
Skyler Mornhinweg (PA, 7/19/2011)
1. Devin Fuller (NJ)
Analysis: Devin Fuller will be the only quarterback left in this class. It looks like it will be tough to get him out of New Jersey (Rutgers? Really, recruits?). Fuller is set on at least getting a shot to play QB in college, but looks to be better suited for WR/DB in the future.
Running Back (2012 Quota: 1-2)
1. Will Mahone (OH)
2. Akeel Lynch (NY)
3. Kenno Loyal (GA)
Analysis: There have been some recent reports regarding the current depth chart that would indicate that the Class of 2012 quota here might be closer to one running back instead of the expected two. If that's true, this has likely turned into the Will Mahone Show, and I personally like where we stand with the three-star running back from Ohio.
Wide Receiver (2012 Quota: 2-3)
Eugene Lewis (PA, 8/10/2011)
1. Canaan Severin (MA)
2. Jordan Payton (CA)
Analysis: Severin and Payton are still there, but figuring out who, if either, will take the last WR spot is difficult. This position could be a casualty of the "no more spots" problem, but I expect one more wideout in this class. Payton reportedly is high on both Penn State and Michigan, among other schools.
Tight End (2012 Quota: 2-3)
Brent Wilkerson (MD, 3/26/2011)
Jesse James (PA, 3/28,2011)
J.P. Holtz (PA, 7/22/2011)
1. Kent Taylor (FL)
Analysis: It's tough to say where any of these three commits will end up, so landing Kent Taylor is not paramount. However, he looks like a solid prospect that the staff will certainly find a spot for if he chooses Penn State.
Offensive Line (2012 Quota: 4-5)
Anthony Stanko (OH, 3/19/2011)
J.J. Denman (PA, 5/18/2011)
Joey O’Connor (CO, 6/28/2011)
Analysis: If I were a gambling man, I'd say this position is closed out.
Defensive Tackle (2012 Quota: 4-5)
Brian Gaia (MD, 5/9/2011)
Derek Dowrey (VA, 6/25/2011)
Austin Johnson (NJ, 6/25/2011)
Tommy Schutt (IL, 8/10/2011)
1. Who the hell knows?
2. Jamil Pollard (NJ)
3. Faith Ekakitie (IL)
Analysis: Schutt's addition moves this position to "almost closed" status. Jarron Jones committed to Notre Dame and Faith Ekakitie neglected to list PSU ($ - info in teaser) among his five visits, so I don't know what's going on here. Gaia apparently looked very good at DT in his season opening destruction of Oscar Smith H.S. (Va.).
Defensive End (2012 Quota: 0-1)
1. Noah Spence (PA)
2. Noah Spence (PA)
3. Noah Spence (PA)
Analysis: Noah Spence-or-bust. Bishop McDevitt's season opener was a loss to a talented Gateway team, but Spence did not disappoint. He had nine tackles (1 TFL), and Gateway coach Terry Smith (who has coached and coached against numerous Division 1 products in his nine years at Gateway) said that Spence was "the most explosive defensive lineman he'd ever seen."
Linebacker (2012 Quota: 2-3)
Cam Williams (MA, 3/25/2011)
Nyeem Wartman (PA, 7/9/2011)
Analysis: This position is done for the year. Solid group, but even more special when you consider the fact that Cam Williams has become one of the better recruiters for the staff. Williams will be at the Alabama game, as mentioned. Hopefully he can work some more of that magic that got Wartman and Reeves.
Defensive Back (2012 Quota: 4-6)
Jake Kiley (NH, 7/26/2011)
Armani Reeves (MA, 8/12/2011)
Malik Golden (CT, 8/24/2011)
1. Demetrious Cox (PA) (S)
2. Mike Tyson (VA) (S)
Analysis: Well, cornerbacks are wrapped up now, thanks to the New England Triumverate. Penn State will now focus its attention on safeties, with Demetrious Cox being the clear leader on the secondary board. Another safety has come back into the picture recently, with Penn State resuming strong contact ($) with a certain three-star safety.
Commits to Date: 17
Estimated Class Size: 21-25
Projected Positions Left (in no particular order): RB, WR, DB (1-2), DT, DE, TE
NOTES
- It's five months old, but this is a good read on Nick Saban's approach to recruiting. (h/t Chris Brown)
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