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Oh, Hello: 2016 NY QB Jake Zembiec Commits to Penn State

The 2016 signal caller is a Nittany Lion.

By Nick Polak

Penn State's 2016 class officially has a quarterback.

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Jake Zembiec, ladies and gentlemen!

Stats:

Home/HS: Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute

Height: 6'2.5"

Weight: 205

Recruited By: Ricky Rahne and Herb Hand

Starz 'n Sheetz:

Stars: 4* 247Sports, Rivals, ESPN, 3* Scout

Offer Sheet: Boston College, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Syracuse, UCF

Cinema:

Jake was only able to play in three games this past season due to injury, so be sure to check out all of his older highlights as well, on his Hudl page.

The Tale:

Jake Zembiec has been on Penn State's radar since June, when he camped at and received an offer from Penn State. In the time following that offer, things were looking extremely good for Penn State. It seemed that James Franklin and the Nittany Lions would have no opposition. Michigan State more than complicated his recruitment, though. After their offer in September, it was clear that Zembiec was infatuated with the Spartans. Whenever I spoke to him, he always talked about the aura surrounding the Michigan State program, and how they exuded success.

It became clear in the last few weeks that Zembiec had narrowed down his choices to State College and East Lansing (although he did try to tell me that he was still considering all options last week). He took an unofficial visit to Michigan State to see the Spartans fall to Ohio State in early November, and walked away very impressed, despite the loss. He was at Penn State most recently before today, to see Penn State get manhandled by Northwestern on Homecoming weekend.

Jake is at Penn State as we speak, and although he never stated that he was going to make a decision this weekend, it was thought by many that he could. And here we are.

Outlook:

It's hard to evaluate exactly what Zembiec's future at Penn State will hold, just yet. He's had a strong high school career thus far, which had led him to be the #1 ranked player in New York for the 2016 cycle. He did however, miss most of this past season. In the three games he managed to play in, he put up 375 yards and a 7/0 TD/INT ratio for Aquinas.

Looking at the QB situation right now though, it's hard to see how Zembiec doesn't end up with a redshirt. When he enrolls at Penn State, Christian Hackenberg will be a senior (if he doesn't declare early), Michael O'Connor and Trace McSorely will be redshirt sophomores, and Tommy Stevens will likely be a redshirt freshman. So there will be plenty of competition for Jake when he arrives, not to mention the possibility of another 2016 QB joining the class, as well. Obviously things could change quickly if Hack declares and O'Connor transfers, but you get the idea.

On the field, Zembiec is very well suited to run Penn State's offense. He has a strong arm and great accuracy, which will allow him to make any throw Franklin and Donovan ask of him. He also has great athleticism, and while he isn't a dual-threat type of guy, he is more than capable of pulling the ball down and taking what's in front of him. He has good size and is still growing.

This is a great pickup for Penn State, as Zembiec is a great person off the field, as well as a fantastic player on it. You can follow Jake on twitter at @jakezembiec.

Zembiec's commitment brings the 2016 class to three, as Zembiec joins 5 star DE Shane Simmons and 4 star RB Miles Sanders.

Welcome to Penn State, Jake!

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