Bill O'Brien and the Penn State coaching staff keep adding on, getting a signature for another late member to Penn State's 2012 recruiting class.
Gary Wooten, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Stats
Home/HS: Hialeah, FL/Hialeah
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220
Starz 'n Sheetz
Stars: Rivals- 3*, Scout, 247, ESPN-NR
Offer sheet: Arkansas, Eastern Michigan, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Massachusetts, Washington State
Cinema
h/t to BSD's own icavalera for the video link
The Tale
Wooten was a class of '11 prospect who reportedly was set to choose between Eastern Michigan and Massachusetts on signing day over one year ago, but reportedly his family wanted him to stay closer to home so he forewent college last year. Wooten has garnered additional interest since his graduation from other FBS programs, including Miami and Nevada.
Because Wooten did not play football in 2011, he has immediate eligibility, and has his redshirt year intact. Reportedly, he will join the team for preseason practice on Monday with medical clearance.
Though he played primarily Defensive End in high school, most services project Wooten to be a linebacker in college. He could play as a pass rusher, or provide off the edge speed rush a la Gerald Hodges versus Iowa in 2011.
Outlook
Wooten's path to Penn State is one of the oddest in the business, as he's neither a JuCo transfer nor a 2012 signee. This may be a good and bad thing, as he's been out of the game for a year, but obviously the coaching staff saw something they liked in this Miami-area prospect, as well as a roster that needs bulking up in the months to come.
Welcome to Penn State, Gary!
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