Penn State Recruiting Roundup 4.19.12

Blue-White Weekend Visitors. Well let's get right to it. Here are the list of confirmed visitors that we know of (or have independently confirmed with other, public, sources). Tim released his list yesterday, so I've merged his work into this list. Additionally, Nate Mink at SC.com (with an assist from Ryan Snyder of BWI), released a preliminary list this morning, also merged below. I'm sure there will be more throughout the weekend, and I'm sure there are some reported elsewhere. But the impressive list so far: (Updated 8:00am)

Class of 2012 (11)
Steven Bench
Jake Kiley
Malik Golden
Evan Schwann
Akeel Lynch
Jordan Lucas
Brent Wilkerson
Jamil Pollard
Nyeem Wartman
Anthony Stanko
DaQuan Davis

Class of 2013 (8)
Adam Breneman (commit)
Christian Hackenberg (commit)
Greg Webb (commit)
Garrett Sickels (commit)
Curtis Cothran (commit)
Andrew Nelson (commit)
Ross Douglas (commit)
Brendan Mahon (commit)
(yes, that's all eight)

Class of 2013 Uncommitted Players (21)
Derwin Gray (DC OT)
Milan Collins (MD DB)
Brian Lemelle (PA WR)
Zach Grant (NJ WR)
Zaire Williams (NJ RB)
(EDIT: Change of plans, Williams is headed to WVU this weekend)
Kennedy Frazier (MD DB)
Nick Sorrenti (NY LB)
Luis Uceta (NY WR)
Buddy Brown (NJ LB)
Eric Joraskie (PA DL)
Dorian Brown (PA RB)
Nick Arcidiacono (PA DE)
Tyler Boyd (PA WR/S)*
Terrish Webb (PA WR)*
Jake Plonski (PA LB)
Zayd Issah (PA LB)
Caleb Scepaniak (NY QB)
Donta Wilkins (VA DL)
Shakir Soto (PA DE)
Ishmael Hyman (NJ WR)

* - Maybe (Webb and Boyd are possibly having transportation issues)

Beyond Class of 2013 (3)
Andrew Ford ('14) (QB, Cedar Cliff HS (PA))
Anthony Siciliano ('14) (QB, Bishop Moore (FL))
Marques Little ('14) (Williamstown HS (NJ))

Blue-White Weekend Non-Visitors. A few big names won't be making the trip, as previously expected. First and foremost, Alex Anzalone, who had his choice of a few different venues this weekend, opted to head to Columbus. Penn State is certainly still in the mix for the top in-state linebacker, but it's not looking good at this point. With a decision looming, Penn State has to make up some ground.

Another name you won't hear about in post-weekend recaps is Robert Foster, the talented WR from Monaca (Pa.). Foster attended Alabama's spring game last weekend and came away with an offer from the Tide. Foster has decided to put the breaks on visits in the near future, beginning this weekend.

Dorian Johnson, the now-five-star OT from south of Pittsburgh, was on campus last weekend, and there were rumors swirling that he might be back this weekend. I haven't been able to confirm or deny his visit, so neither would surprise me. At this point, it doesn't look like he'll make it, but there are always last minute changes.

Finally, David Williams can be classified as a "maybe". The top running back on the PSU board has a 7-on-7 tournament in Pittsburgh this weekend. But coming from Philadelphia, his route will take him somewhat near State College, and a side stop isn't out of the question. Current commit Ross Douglas has seemingly made it his mission to get Williams on campus this weekend.

ESPN150 Released. tWWL released their not-really-that-anticipated list for the Class of 2013, and the Big Ten fared quite well. First, the Penn State commits that made the list: Christian Hackenberg (11th overall, No. 2 QB, No. 1 pro-style QB), Adam Breneman (39th overall, No. 2 TE, No. 1 "Y"-style TE), and Greg Webb (No. 123 overall) made the initial Top 150. Six of PSU's eight commits earned a four-star rating, while Curtis Cothran and Andrew Nelson have yet to be ranked.

Around the Big Ten, Ohio State (who picked up a ninth commitment just as the rankings were being released, and thus wasn't included) went 8-for-8 in four-star ratings, including 5 ESPN150 commits. Of Michigan's 17 (!) commits, 15 earned four stars, and two earned three stars. Eleven future Wolverines were on the ESPN150 list. The rest of the B1G came up short on this inital list of the top 150 Class of 2013 recruits, according to ESPN. As expected, GA DE Robert Nkemdiche is the No. 1 player in the country, seemingly the only thing all four services can agree upon.

Stars Debate. Any other week, I'd break this down for you. But The Mathlete has done all the legwork and deserves all the pagehits. Read, and then stop asking for recommendations on which recruiting service to purchase. This isn't really a stars debate so much as it is a comparison of the services, along with some further analyses of the ability to predict future stars.

And As Usual. The Big Board.

Penn State Recruiting Class of 2013 Big Board
Estimated Class Size: 16-22
Current Commitments: 8

Quarterbacks (1-2)
1. Christian Hackenberg (Fork Union (VA)) (Committed: 02/29/2012, Recruited by Charles London)
Others: None.

Notes: Damion Terry committed to Michigan State, as expected. Hack will be visiting for Blue/White Weekend.

Running Backs (1-2)
1. David Williams (Imhotep Charter (PA)
2. Richie Anderson (Johnson (MD))
3. DeShawn Coleman (Hickory (PA))
4. Zaire Williams (Timber Creek (NJ))
5. Roman Clay (Lancaster Catholic (PA))
Others: Austin Brown (FB) (Easton Area (PA))

Notes: Williams is still "the man" here, and that likely won't change until the speedy Philadelphia back makes a decision one way or another.

Wide Receiver (1-3)
1. Robert Foster (Central Valley (PA))
2. Brian Lemelle (Bishop McDevitt (PA))
3. Tyler Boyd (Clairton (PA))
4. Kyle LaPorte (Piscataway (NJ))
5. Paul Harris (Frederick Douglass (MD))
Others: William Fuller (Roman Catholic (PA)), Zach Grant (Paul VI (NJ))

Notes: Three pretty good in-state receivers top this list, two of which will be on campus this weekend.

Tight End (0-1)
1. Adam Breneman (Cedar Cliff (PA)) (Committed 03/09/2012, Recruited by the ENTIRE STAFF)
Others: None

Notes: Breneman makes another trip to Happy Valley this weekend, once again bringing along his current QB, sophomore Andrew Ford.

Offensive Line (3-5)
1. Brendan Mahon (Randolph (NJ)) (Committed 03/17/2012, Recruited by John Strollo)
2. Andrew Nelson (Hershey (PA)) (Committed 04/15/2012, Recruited by Larry Johnson)
3. Dorian Johnson (Belle Vernon (PA))
4. Derwin Gray (Friendship Academy (DC))
5. Jaryd Jones-Smith (West Philadelphia Catholic (PA))
Others: Ethan Pocic (Lemont Township (IL)), Brad Hanson (Monsignor Donovan (NJ)), Tommy Hopkins (Westlake (NY)), Jordan Page (Pennington (NJ)), Dan Samuelson (Plymouth (IN)), Tevin Montgomery (Tabor Academy (MA))

Notes: Nelson was the surprise commit after last weekend's visit, and will be back this weekend to meet more of his future teammates. Johnson was on campus last weekend as well, an important one for the Nittany Lions, as they are really going hard after the highly recruited tackle. Pitt is still the team to beat here, but PSU is right in the mix. Gray is another tackle prospect to keep an eye on this weekend.

Defensive Tackle (1-2)
1. Greg Webb (Timber Creek (NJ)) (Committed 04/05/2012, Recruited by Larry Johnson)
2. Justin Moody (George Washington (PA))
3. Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights (OH))
4. Donta Wilkins (Potomac (VA))
5. Henry Poggi (Gilman (MD))
Others: Rod Crayton (Dadeville (AL)), , Eddie Vanderdoes (Placer (CA)), Poet Thomas (Detroit Country Day (MI)), Maurice Hurst, Jr. (Xaverian Brothers (MA))

Notes: Not much movement here, and it remains to be seen whether the staff will take another prospect at defensive tackle. Hurst was on campus recently and came away impressed, but also came away without an offer.

Defensive End (2-3)
1. Garrett Sickels (Red Bank Regional (NJ) (Committed 03/04/2012, Recruited by Jon Strollo)
2. Curtis Cothran (Council Rock North (PA)) (Committed 03/26/2012, Recruited by John Butler)
3. Dajaun Drennon (Timber Creek (NJ))
4. Wyatt Teller (Liberty (VA))
5. Nick Arcidiacono (Archbishop Wood (PA))
Others: Jonathan Allen (Stone Bridge (VA)), Alquadin Muhammed (Don Bosco Prep (NJ))

Notes: Like the tackle spot, this one could be done. Drennon stated that the staff told him they were only taking two ends in this class. If that ends up to be true, the two ends taken are a solid group; if the staff decides to take a third, it probably won't be anytime soon.

Linebacker (3-4)
1. Alex Anzalone (Sam LB) (Wyomissing (PA))
2. Buddy Brown (Williamstown (NJ))
3. Michael Deeb (MLB) (American Heritage (FL))
4. Zayd Issah (Central Dauphin (PA))
Others: Marcus Newby (Quince Orchard (MD)), Tim Kimbrough (Warren Central (IN)), Jake Plonski (Erie Cathedral Prep (PA)) Micah Kiser (Gilman (MD))

Notes: Like stated above, the clock is ticking for Anzalone, and it doesn't appear to be doing PSU any good, as making the decision to attend OSU's Spring Game and not PSU's is somewhat telling. However, Anzalone was just on campus the weekend before, and had some good things to say. But something about his recruitment seems to suggest PSU isn't at the top. Brown is high on PSU, and remains on commit watch since his recent visit.

Defensive Back (3-4)
1. Ross Douglas (CB) (Avon (OH)) (Committed 02/29/2012, Recruited by Stan Hixon)
2. Nadir Barnwell (CB) (Piscataway (NJ))
3. Kirk Garner (S) (Good Counsel (MD))
4. Delton Williams (S) (Erie Cathedral Prep (PA))
5. Reon Dawson (S) (Trotwood-Madison (OH))
Others: Delando Johnson (S) (Calvert Hall College (MD)), Darian Hicks (CB) (Solon (OH)), Kennedy Frazier (S) (Calvert Hall (MD)), Milan Collins (Bishop McNamara (MD))

Notes: Barnwell received his PSU offer, one many were hoping was coming, as the talented cornerback would be a great addition to this class (and likely close out the CB recruiting). Delton Williams also recently received his offer, while Collins was on campus and is very high on Penn State.

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