Penn State Recruiting Roundup 3.8.12

Adam Breneman Update. There hasn't been this much hype surrounding an in-state prospect since Terrelle Pryor in 2008, and Penn State hasn't landed an in-state player like this in some time. Sure, there have been four- and five-star Pennsylvania commitments to Penn State in the past few years, but none of those players had recruiting sagas like Breneman, whose every move has been scrutinized, examined, and analyzed by thousands of people.

I spoke with Breneman's coach, Jim Cantafio, who expects "a huge turnout" tomorrow night when the four-star tight end makes his decision. The finalists include Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Maryland. By now, everyone knows the circumstantial evidence surrounding his decision, so I won't go into too much here. The announcement is at 7p at Cedar Cliff High School. Stay tuned...

In-state Linebacker To Visit. As I originally reported last night (first, I might add), Wyomissing linebacker Alex Anzalone, he of nearly 35 offers, will be visiting Penn State this weekend. What happens on Friday will likely put the staff in a good mood for the weekend, so expect them to lay a strong case on Anzalone for Penn State (not that they wouldn't have otherwise).

Scout 300. No Greek warriors appear on the list, but Scout.com finally released their initial Scout 300 yesterday, and Penn State appears throughout the list. All three commits were finally assessed a star ranking (Hackenberg - 4, Douglas and Sickels - 3), while only Hackenberg (No. 183) and Sickels (No. 271) made the Scout 300. Other players of note to appear in the list that will likely change 20 times before Signing Day (number listed is spot in Scout 300, not within position):

RB - Deveon Smith (4*, No. 58), David Williams (4*, No. 120), Derrick Green (4*, No. 124)
WR - Robert Foster (5*, No. 3)
TE - Adam Breneman (5*, No. 22)
OL - Ethan Pocic (4*, No. 57), Dorian Johnson (4*, No. 129), Mike McGlinchey (4*, No. 223)
DT - Eddie Vanderdoes (5*, No. 15), Greg Webb (4*, No. 77), Henry Poggi (4*, 134), Donovan Munger (4*, No. 220)
DE - Jonathan Allen (4*, No. 102), Tashawn Bower (4*, No. 142)
LB - Tim Kimbrough (4*, No. 115), Alex Anzalone (4*, No. 149), Zayd Issah (4*, No. 174)
DB - Kendall Fuller (5*, No. 31), Kirk Garner (4*, No. 198), Darian Hicks (3*, No. 281), Nadir Barnwell (3*, No. 286), Tim Harris (3*, No. 294)

Moar Updatez. Jared has some quick hitters tomorrow, so you'll have to wait.

Big Board. As per usual.

Penn State Recruiting Class of 2013 Big Board
Estimated Class Size: 16-22
(Recruits listed in no particular order...yet)

Quarterbacks (1-2)
1. Christian Hackenberg (Fork Union (VA)) (Committed: 02/29/2012, Recruited by Charles London)
Others: Damion Terry (Erie Cathedral Prep (PA)), Malik Zaire (Alter (OH))
Notes: Ryan Burns committed to Stanford, which lends weight to the belief that it really was a two-man race to a Penn State commitment between he and Christian Hackenberg. IF another QB is taken, that player will likely fill more of a "Athlete" role ala Damion Terry (who picked up his second offer this week, with Boston College joining Michigan State).

Running Backs (1-2)
1. David Williams (West Philadelphia Catholic (PA))
2. Derrick Green (Hermitage (VA))
3. DeVeon Smith (Howland (OH)
4. Ty Isaac (Joliet (IL))
5. Greg Bryant (American Heritage School (FL))
Others: Richy Anderson (Johnson (MD)), Austin Brown (FB) (Easton Area (PA)), DeShawn Coleman (Hickory (PA))
Notes: West Philadelphia Catholic was set to close its doors after this year, but thanks to a new $12MM donation, the school will remain open. Thus, Williams and his teammates won't need to find new places to go to school and play football. Williams is the lightning to Derrick Green's thunder in this class; landing both would be a great haul for Penn State, and it looks like they are sitting pretty well, with Williams at least (though Williams is friends with Ohio State's Corey Brown, so look for the Buckeyes to be in play here). Look for an update with Derrick Green sometime in the very near future.

Florida's Greg Bryant, teammate of QB Tyler Cogswell (who won't be a Nittany Lion, but will land somewhere in Division 1) and LB Michael Deeb (who many Penn State fans hope will end up in State College), reportedly received an offer from Penn State recently, but there does not appear to be a lot of interest in the Lions from Bryant. Along the same lines, Ty Isaac, who is now a five-star RB according to Scout, likely won't be in blue and white.

Wide Receiver (1-3)
1. Robert Foster (Central Valley (PA))
2. Ryan Switzer (George Washington (WV))
3. Brian Lemelle (Bishop McDevitt (PA))
4. Kyle LaPorte (Piscataway (NJ))
5. Myles Nash (Timber Creek (NJ))
Others: Paul Harris (Frederick Douglass (MD)), Shaquille James (West Philadelphia Catholic (PA)), Laquon Treadwell (Crete-monee (IL)), Delando Johnson (Calvert Hall College (MD)), Uriah LeMay (David W. Butler (NC)), Tyler Boyd (Clairton (PA)), William Fuller (Roman Catholic (PA))
Notes: I'm going to continue to say that I don't think that Foster ends up at Penn State, but it appears that the commitment of Hackenberg coupled with a great visit two weeks ago has Penn State in a better position than I thought. Penn State's fourth commitment could very well come from this group, as Ryan Switzer appears to be close to making a call.

Tight End (0-1)
1. Adam Breneman (Cedar Cliff (PA))
2. Scott Orndoff (Seton La Salle (PA))
Others: None
Notes: We should have a clearer picture of this tomorrow night. If Breneman picks PSU as expected, I'm not sure the staff holds a spot open for Orndoff. He's a great player, but with a potentially limited class, taking two tight ends is not a priority. If for some reason Breneman picks a school not named Penn State, you can expect to see a stronger push for Orndoff.

Offensive Line (2-4)
1. Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon (PA))
2. Mike McGlinchey (William Penn Charter (PA))
3. Brendon Mahon (Randolph (NJ))
4. Jordan Page (Pennington (NJ))
5. Brad Hanson (Monsignor Donovan (NJ))
Others: Ethan Pocic (Lemont Township (IL)), Jaryd Jones-Smith (West Philadelphia Catholic (PA)), Tommy Hopkins (Westlake (NY)), Hunter Bivin (Apollo (KY))
Notes: Rumors swirled of a possible commitment here, especially after we reported that Christian Hackenberg was in regular contact with McGlinchey, but alas nothing came about. Yet.

Defensive Tackle (1-2)
1. Justin Moody (George Washington (PA))
2. Greg Webb (Timber Creek (NJ))
3. Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights (OH))
4. Eddie Vanderdoes (Placer (CA))
5. Donta Wilkins (Potomac (VA))
Others: Rod Crayton (Dadeville (AL)), Henry Poggi (Gilman (MD)), Poet Thomas (Detroit Country Day (MI))
Notes: N/A

Defensive End (2-4)
1. Garrett Sickels (Red Bank Regional (NJ) (Committed 03/04/2012, Recruited by Jon Strollo)
2. Jonathan Allen (Stone Bridge (VA))
3. TaShawn Bower (Immaculata (NJ))
4. Dajaun Drennon (Timber Creek (NJ))
5. Wyatt Teller (Liberty (VA))
Others: Curtis Cothran (Council Rock North (PA)), Alquadin Muhammed (Don Bosco Prep (NJ)), Nick Arcidiacono (Archbishop Wood (PA)), Tracy Sprinkle (Elyria (OH))
Notes: The big news to kick off the week was Sickels' commitment. After that, though, Penn State isn't high on too many other defensive end lists.

Linebacker (3-4)
1. Alex Anzalone (Sam LB) (Wyomissing (PA))
2. Michael Deeb (MLB) (American Heritage (FL))
3. Marcus Newby (Quince Orchard (LB))
4. Buddy Brown (Williamstown (NJ))
5. Zayd Issah (Central Dauphin (PA))
Others: Tim Kimbrough (Warren Central (IN)), Ben Gedeon (Hudson (OH)), Jake Plonski (Erie Cathedral Prep (PA)) Micah Kiser (Gilman (MD))
Notes: Michael McCray, whose father was a former Ohio State football player, committed to Michigan. I spoke with Anzalone last night, and he shared some good information. He talked to me right after he got off the phone with Coach O'Brien, whom Alex told me was going to "valet [Alex's] car." BOB is doing serious work.

Defensive Back (3-4)
1. Ross Douglas (CB) (Avon (OH)) (Committed 02/29/2012, Recruited by Stan Hixon)
2. Kendall Fuller (CB) (Good Counsel (MD))
3. Eli Woodard (CB) (Eastern (NJ))
4. Darian Hicks (CB) (Solon (OH))
5. Nadir Barnwell (CB) (Piscataway (NJ))
6. Kirk Garner (S) (Good Counsel (MD))
Others: Tim Harris (S) (Stone Bridge (VA)), Delando Johnson (S) (Calvert Hall College (MD)), Delton Williams (S) (Erie Cathedral Prep (PA)), Reon Dawson (S) (Trotwood-Madison (OH))
Notes: I spoke with Kirk Garner earlier this week, who told me Penn State is showing him some serious interest. Also, watch for Hicks, who is very high on Penn State.

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