Blessed & Honored: Penn State Preps for Official Visit Weekend

Big Weekend Ahead

With the early National Signing Day period coming up on December 19, Penn State has a pivotal two days ahead as it will host some of the top prospects for their official visits. While the majority of Penn State’s 2019 class should be in town, here’s the uncommitted prospects who will take in the weekend with them too, according to 247Sports.

• Four-Star WR Cornelius Johnson (Connecticut)
• Three-Star OT Jakai Moore (Virginia)
• Four-Star OT Trevor Keegan (Illinois)
• Three-Star DT Jared Harrison-Hunte (New York)
• Four-Star DT Jaquaze Sorrells (Florida)

It seems doubtful that James Franklin will be throwing up the bat signal this weekend, but that doesn’t mean a few of these guys won’t end up in the class. Penn State is the perceived leader for both Jakai Moore and Jared Harrison-Hunte, while they have quietly positioned themselves well for Keegan too. So while we won’t see “immediate” gains, this weekend could go a long way in how December 19 goes for the Nittany Lions.

No. 1 Prospect Visits Happy Valley Last Weekend

Because I did a subpar job (most important ability is accountability) this week in getting the B&H out earlier, it should be noted that Penn State hosted the No. 1 prospect in the 2019 class, defensive end Nolan Smith, for an official visit last weekend.

Smith was hosted by Micah Parsons, as the two have a friendship dating back to last year’s The Opening camp, and things appear to have gone well. That being said, Smith is a Georgia native that has been committed to the Bulldogs since January 2017, so despite the Parsons-Smith connection on Twitter, it is tough to envision Smith not ending up in Athens.

Quick Notes

• Penn State made the top six for 2020 five-star defensive end (and No. 1 overall player) Bryan Bresee! Long way to go here, but the Nittany Lions are in a good position here.
• Speaking of 2020 five-stars, Penn State made the top ten for Virginia five-star RB Chris Tyree. Again, similar to Bresee, Penn State will be major players in this one.
• Last but not least, you might have heard, but Urban Meyer is retiring with Ryan Day taking over at Ohio State. To be honest, I really don’t have much to say other than the obvious: Ohio State will still recruit tremendously well — but Ryan Day isn’t Urban Meyer. Penn State was already closing the talent gap on Ohio State, but now without Meyer’s pull nationally, I think that gap could get even closer in 2019 and 2020. Big opportunity for James Franklin.