Even though this Roundup is on the shorter side, I have some new words for all of you this week. Unfortunately, there were no new commitments, so not much has changed in the Big Board. However, I was able to talk to some of the 2015 guys, there's news about the total number of players for this class, and there's an Office clip! Because there's always an Office clip! Here's your Office clip!
Loopholes for Days
As you are all aware, we've had more than a few recruits enroll early over the last few years. Well the 2014 class is no exception. Michael O'Connor has already decided to enroll early this year, and Antoine White is strongly considering it as well. I spoke with Antoine the other day, and he told me that he has to sit down with his guidance counselor to figure out if he is academically able to come to State College early, before he makes any decisions. If Antoine does eventually enroll in the winter though, then the number of players who will be a part of this class will receive a bump. Assuming Antoine or someone else is able to enroll early, O'Brien and the staff are planning on picking up 17 total players in this class (Since O'Connor and the other early enrollee will technically count towards the 2013 class). This would put Penn State in a much more advantageous position for recruits like Dravon Henry, who will likely not make a decision until after their school season are completed.
Speaking of Dravon Henry...
Cory James over at 247 has been following Henry very closely, and provides a very comprehensive recap of his situation right here ($). Basically, Henry isn't going to commit anywhere until he takes his official visits. Alquippa doesn't allow for its players to take official visits while their high school season is taking place, so once they finish up their season, Dravon will take his visits. As I've said all along, I do believe that Henry is the ultimate prize for O'Brien's staff. Getting the (arguable) top player out of Pennsylvania, especially one who plays a position of need, would make Henry the signature pick up of this class. O'Brien has preached about how he's going to keep the top in-state talent, in Pennsylvania, and Henry is a great starting block for that goal.
JuCo's- Round 3
After initially the initial chasing, and subsequent pushing away, of Jermaine Eluemunor and Cory Johnson as potential JuCo targets, the staff has thrown out a new offer to Joe Keels, of Highland Community College in Kansas. He also holds offers from Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky, but he has been receiving interest ($) recently from the likes or Oregon and Arkansas (BERT) as well. If the staff is able to land Keels, not only would he bring experience and legit talent, but he would also be an early enrollee, allowing the staff to pick up 17 players in this class. See how all of these stories are connected? It's like the movie Crash. Which is an awesome movie. Go watch it after you finish reading this.
For our quotes in the Big Board this week, let's go with quotes from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Penn State Recruiting Class of 2014 Big Board
Current Commitments: 13
Overall Big Board of 2014 Recruits
This board will be a ranking of the remaining recruits based on my opinion of who the staff desires most. It will not take into account the likelihood of their commitment.
1. Dravon Henry
2. Thomas Holley
3. Montae Nicholson
4. Ricky Walker
5. Mike Gesicki
6. Alex Bookser
7. Derrick Nnadi
8. Joe Keels
9. Qadree Ollison
Class of 2015 (And Beyond) Updates
Names will be followed by Year, Position, High School, and Star Rating According to 247Sports.
Richie Petitbon (2015) (OL) (Gonzaga (DC)) (4*)- Picked up offers from UNC and Pitt- Favorite 2 schools right now are Alabama and Penn State- Visited LSU on Tuesday, done with visits for the summer- Still planning on visiting for the PSU-Michigan game
Ryan Bates (2015) (OL) (Archbishop Wood (PA)) (4*)- Just visited for the 3rd time- Wants to come up for a game this season, can't make it for Michigan- Likes South Carolina and Penn State most
Devell Jones (2015) (RB) (Lincoln High School (NJ)) (UR)- Had a great camp when he came to Penn State- Has had steady contact with PSU ever since
Patrice Rene (2016) (CB) (St. Peter Catholic High School (CAN)) (UR)- Camped at Syracuse, Maryland, Penn State, and Ohio State among others this summer- Very much enjoying recruitment
Final Notes
In case you didn't hear, everything seems to have been straightened out with Neiko Robinson in terms of completing his credits to enroll at PSU. One of the courses he took in high school did not match up with the NCAA's standards, so he had to take it as a summer school class. So he will be joining the team soon, albeit a little later than the other members of his recruiting class.
I know I talked last time about the scholarship matrix being almost finished, but this time I mean it. I think I finally have the numbers figured out with guys who left the team for various reasons, so I can publish the table confidently. So look for that soon.
Also, the Run-On Rundown is pretty much done, so that will hopefully post soon, as well.
In closing this week, I'll leave you with this very cool gesture by our future foe, Rutgers, to retire Eric LeGrand's number.
Happy Wednesday to all, and to all a good night.
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