Jordan Lucas, DB, Worcester Academy (MA)/ New Rochelle (NY)
Jordan Lucas is already famous to Penn Staters everywhere. He's the answer to a future trivia question.
In early-January, the coaching search had taken too long, the new coach looked like a plan D selection, the university looked incompetent, and Joe Paterno was seriously ill. With the recruiting class of 2012 on the precipice, we all wondered who Bill O'Brien's first verbal commitment would be.
Lucas spent the first four years of his career at New Rochelle High School in New York as a corner and tailback. A consensus three star recruit with offers from Akron, UMass, Old Dominion and Temple, Lucas headed to Worcester Academy in Massachusetts in order to improve his grades. The extra year paid off.
Lucas was hearing from both Rutgers and Virginia, but had committed to Temple with intentions of enrolling early. Then the Lions entered the picture. Lucas was scheduled to begin classes in Philadelphia on Monday, January 15th, before receiving a call from the Penn State and the new O'Brien regime. After confirming his elevated grades at Worcester, an in-home meeting was scheduled with three Nittany Lion coaches - defensive coordinator Ted Roof, defensive backs coach John Butler, and linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden. The three coaches extended an offer and Lucas accepted.
Lucas, 6'1, 185 pounds, will spend his career at safety or corner. If Penn State has any position of need, it's in the defensive backfield. Lucas will be expected to play early and often.
Though the Nittany Lions were plagued by the reach of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Lucas and his family were not swayed by the bad press.
"Penn State still has a great tradition, a great graduation rate and of the largest and most involved alumni," Jordan's father, Vincent Lucas said. "If anything, there will be more press next year. You don't turn down a Penn State. Some people shy away from it. We don't.
"Jordan gets to go to a great school and get a great education for free. You can't beat that."
Black Shoe Diaries welcomes the Lucas family to Penn State.
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