Blessed & Honored: Recapping The Big Visit Weekend, Rivals New Top 100, And More

Recapping Penn State’s big visit weekend

This past weekend was a huge one for recruiting in Happy Valley. In addition to seven official visitors, the Nittany Lions also hosted an important unofficial visitor.

Official visitors to Penn State included four-star tight end Jahleel Billingsley, four-star wide receivers John Dunmore and John Metchie, four-star linebacker Lance Dixon, four-star safety Lewis Cine, and four-star quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. Meanwhile, three-star defensive end David Ojabo was in on an official visit.

Aiding James Franklin and his staff in their recruiting efforts was five-star linebacker commit Brandon Smith who was also in town on his official visit.

Penn State was also hosting its “Elite II” camp over the weekend, with three-star defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte and commits Taquan Roberson and Keaton Ellis in attendance, according to pictures taken by Mark Brennan of Lions247/FOS.

Entering the weekend the Nittany Lions were in the top two - if not the leaders for - Metchie, Dixon, Cine, Ojabo, and Harrison-Hunte, and it seems like this weekend only improved Penn State’s standing with these players. It also appears that they have become legitimate players for Johnson Jr., and they should be in it until the end for Billingsley.

Similarly to Blue-White Weekend, this past weekend may not have garnered immediate results but it could lead to multiple commitments down the road. And in some cases, those results will likely come sooner rather than later.

New Rivals 100

On Tuesday, Rivals released their new top-100. The latest edition of their top-100 includes a trio of Penn State commits. Running back Devyn Ford checks in at No. 13 nationally, the aforementioned Smith is No. 59, and offensive lineman Caedan Wallace is No. 68.

The new Rivals 100 also features some of Penn State’s top remaining targets. Defensive end Zach Harrison checks in at No. 17, wide receiver John Dunmore is No. 47, running back Noah Cain is No. 49, and safety Lewis Cine is No. 91.

You can check out the entire list from Rivals here.

Penn State Makes The Cut

This past week saw the Nittany Lions make the top group of a pair of four-star prospects. Wide receiver David Bell released a top-5 this week and offensive lineman Trevor Keegan each released a top-6. The Nittany Lions found themselves a part of both.

Penn State is quietly in a great spot for Bell. It is possible that his recruitment will shake out as a battle between the Nittany Lions and Purdue. However, Ohio State can never be counted out.

Keegan appears to be a long shot for the Nittany Lions. However, he has already visited campus twice and the staff will push for an official visit. And you can never count James Franklin out when hosting official visitors.

Saleem Wormley Update

Three-star offensive lineman Saleem Wormley is set to commit on July 23. According to his since deleted Twitter account, this decision will be between Notre Dame, Penn State, and Rutgers.

Of his three finalists, one of those schools is not like the other.

(Looking at you, Rutgers.)

Wormley visited Penn State three times in a four week stretch back in the spring and appeared ready to commit. This, of course, did not happen. He will now take an official visit to Notre Dame this weekend, and entering the trip the Nittany Lions appear to be the team to beat. As long as he has a spot in Penn State’s class, it’s hard to picture Wormley committing to anyone else.