FanPost

Midseason Recruiting Thread

Recruiting is a long process, often about 2.5 cycles going at the same time. Below you will see PSU commits and targets (as I see them) for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes. It's a ton of names. I'm going to hit you with a lot more than Blumski, sorry. It will change a lot especially in the '21 & '22 classes as evaluations continue and prospects start publicly narrowing their search. I'll update the fanpost as the time progresses until I start a new one. Below, I tried to stay as factual as possible by highlighting their visits and offers without inserting my opinion too much. The 2020 commits should be familiar to you by now so I have no 'bio' for them, and will do the same for '21 commits once the '20 class is finished up.

There will not be any 'stars' listed for the prospects. I will use strictly the 247Composite rating. Anything above .8900 is a bluechip 4* or above. That would be ~top 350 players in the country for that class. A rating of .9835 seems to be the cutoff for 5* and is about the top 32-35 of each class.

If you want my opinion on specific players/positions/classes, ask in the comments I'm pretty active. I'm a resident optimist so take it all with a grain of salt. Remember the key to recruiting is not getting the guys who want to come to PSU, it's making guys come to PSU who aren't naturally inclined to PSU. And recruiting is not wins/loss based, but it is momentum based. Most of the kids listed below also think they will be an instant success in college, so depth charts don't matter because they can beat anyone. In the case of a few, that is probably true but for most it's not. Each prospect makes up their own mind with help from friends, family & coaches among others. Sometimes that decision happens multiple times with different schools 'winning'.

It's a wild roller-coaster. I recommend jumping off now if you get overly upset over the actions of 15-18yr olds. If not, please keep all arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Hold on tightly, and off we go!

2020 Commits:

  • QB Micah Bowens, NV (6'0", 195) .8853
  • RB Caziah Holmes, FL (5'11", 180) .9244
  • RB Keyvone Lee, FL (6'0", 223) .9076
  • WR Keandre Lambert, VA (6'1", 176) .9270
  • WR Jaden Dottin, CT (6'3", 170) .9139
  • WR Parker Washington, TX (5'10", 201) .8883
  • WR Malick Meiga, Quebec (6'3", 195) .8776
  • WR Norval Black, PA (6'1", 167) .8628 JUCO
  • TE/ATH Tyler Warren, VA (6'5", 235) .8676
  • OL Jimmy Christ, VA (6'7", 285) .8894
  • OL Olu Fashanu, DC (6'5", 320) .8871
  • OL Ibrahim Traore, NY (6'5", 290) .8593
  • OL Devin Willock, NJ (6'6", 345) .8499
  • iOL Golden Israel-Achuma, MD (6'4", 320) .8869
  • iOL Nick Dawkins, PA (6'4", 300) .8552
  • DE Bryce Mostella, MI (6'6", 235) .8789
  • DL Amin Vanover, NJ (6'4", 260) .8829
  • DL Brandon Taylor, OH (6'3", 250) .8721
  • DT Cole Brevard, IN (6'3", 305) .9290
  • DT Coziah Izzard, MD (6'2", 270) .9132
  • DT Fatorma Mulbah, PA (6'3", 270) .8540
  • LB/DE Zuriah Fisher, PA (6'3", 255) .8540
  • LB Curtis Jacobs, MD (6'2", 230) .9728
  • LB Tyler Elsdon, PA (6'2", 220) .8674
  • CB Joseph Johnson, VA (6'2", 175) .8884
  • DB Enzo Jennings, MI (6'1", 185) .9375
  • DB JiAyir Brown, PA (6'0", 203) .8839
  • S Elijah Gaines, VA (6'2", 193) .8702

Average 247Composite Rating: .8888

# of 247Composite Bluechips: 8/27 (29.6%)

2020 Team Blue Chip Ratio (if no changes): 55.32%

Right now the ride has gone through a few ups (Jacobs, Jennings), a few downs (decommitments), and seems to be on the ascent again. All the above commits seem firm in their commitment as of 10/22/2019. It's a big class with a lot of athletic guys but few outright stars of the recruiting circuit. Some physical specimens that are very raw in football make up a good portion of the class so far. As currently composed, it would have ranked between 14-18 over the last five cycles.

But there's room for a few more. The names below could all pull PSU a bit higher up the next rise of the 2020 rollercoaster.

2020 Names to Know:

  • TE Theo Johnson, Ontario (6'6", 242) .9554 - He's a big-time prospect. He ran a laser 4.63 forty, 4.28 shuttle, and 35.2" vertical at the Opening this past summer. He's big, he's fast, he catches well. PSU was his first big offer back in July 2018 after camping for PSU. PSU is currently favored over UGA, UM, & Iowa for his commitment. He was at the Whiteout on an OV and will be taking an OV to Michigan for the Notre Dame MSU game.
  • RB/ATH Jalen Berger, NJ (6'0", 205) .9513 - He can play RB or WR and would probably make an excellent S if he is willing to play defense. He's quiet and seems to want to stay close to home. He's announcing his commitment Jan 4, 2020 but might quietly sign in December. PSU, LSU, & Rutgers lead the way. Look out for Rutgers, the right hire will have him wearing red since it's closest to home.
  • S Jordan Morant, NJ (5'11", 212) .9301 - A Michigan commit, there is still mutual interest for PSU. If his lead recruiter Anthony Campanile leaves Michigan for Rutgers, that would open him up for PSU. As it is, he's keeping in touch with PSU.
  • iOL RJ Adams, VA (6'3", 315) .8891 - The former PSU commit left the class after his visit to Kentucky. He's been at a few PSU games but it doesn't appear there is room at PSU anymore after the Traore & Willock commitments. Adams may wait til the February Signing Day to see if room becomes available at PSU or another blue-blood program.
  • DE Sean Martin, WV (6'6", 260) .8701 - A former UNC commit, he opened up Aug 1. He took an OV for the Whiteout so it appears the staff would still take his commitment.
  • DB Darion Green-Warren, CA (6'0", 187) .9201
  • DB Jaiden Francois, FL (6'0", 184) .9040
  • DB Mordecai McDaniel, DC (6'1", 195) .8954 - Tennessee commit

2021 Commit List:

The 2021 roller coaster is just leaving the station. Elksnis jumped on first because it had a great view of the cow pastures at PSU. Next up was Nate Bruce and Liam Clifford.

  • WR/ATH Liam Clifford, OH (6'1", 195) .8578 - The younger and more athletic brother of Sean Clifford. He's been absolutely tearing it up in the Cincy area. A very very good athlete who earned his offer in camp.
  • TE Nick Elksnis, FL (6'6", 220) .8904 - He was the choice of TE coach Tyler Bowen and he loves the cows at PSU. I expect him to slowly rise in the rankings in part due to his top end athleticism and in part due to the respect a PSU offer to TE holds right now.
  • iOL Nate Bruce, PA (6'4", 320) .8466 - No surprise here, he's been at a ton of PSU events. He might be the only 'true' interior OL for the 2021 class as there looks to be a lot of OT/swing talent in region

2021 Names to Know:

The success of the 2019 season so far could increase the hype and potentially the biggest rise in PSU recruiting since the 2018 class. There's a lot of big names below that would look very good in Blue & White. It could be an abrupt launch or maybe a slow chain lift. If PSU keeps riding high though this season, it's almost inevitable that the 2020 class will be viewed as a down cycle. An exciting young offense and fast elite defense will do that.
  • QB Caleb Williams, DC (6'1", 209) .9902 - The top pick at QB. Also top pick for UGA where he appears to be headed at the moment. Oregon, LSU and Stanford are other competition for him as Bama & OU appear to have their guys for now.
  • QB Jake Rubley, CO (6'3", 205) .9603 - Earned his offer in June 9 camp.
  • QB Garrett Nussmeier, TX (6'1", 171) .9306 - Offered in May, camped on June 16, visited for Whiteout. Appears to be a top target of LSU as well at this point which he visited for the Florida game.
  • QB Christian Veilleux, MD (6'3", 190) .9161 - Earned his offer in June 22 Camp. A native Canadian, he's at The Bullis School in MD now which has been good to PSU.
  • RB Evan Pryor, NC (5'10", 190) .9641 - Sister goes to PSU, he's been here a bunch. He was offered very very early.
  • RB Lovasea Carroll, FL (6'0", 190) .9476 - Part of a loaded IMG backfield
  • WR Dont'e Thornton, MD (6'4", 185) .9798 - Former PSU commit he has all you'd want in a WR his age. He decommitted to continue going on visits but still in frequent contact with PSU. Friends with both Caleb Williams and Kaden Prather (see below). He was at the Whiteout
  • WR Gavin Blackwell, NC (5'11", 165) .9637 - Stated in an interview that PSU is recruiting him hardest. Remember that Coach Parkers last stop was at Duke.
  • WR Jalil Farooq, MD (6'1", 190) .9476 - Not a lot of info out there, he's quiet. He was at the Whiteout.
  • WR Kaden Prather, MD (6'3", 210) .9003 - A big athletic target who really impressed people over the summer. He was at the Whiteout.
  • OT Nolan Rucci, PA (6'8", 265) .9889 - A legacy OL in PA. His older brother is TE at Wisconsin. He was at PSU again for the Whiteout. PSU is favored, but it's not a sure thing yet.
  • OL Landon Tengwall, MD (6'6", 300) .9817 - An absolute physical specimen already, he was offered in his freshman year by PSU. He's been going to PSU camps since middle school and has been a big time recruit since that freshman year. PSU is looking very good right now, though he likely waits to take some OVs in the spring
  • OL Wyatt Milum, WV (6'6", 270) .9631 - Same school as Doug Nester who PSU recruited in the 2019 class. Has been to PSU quite a bit and was at the Whiteout.
  • OL Tristan Leigh, VA (6'5", 275) .9307 - Another big time OT prospect for PSU who was at the Whiteout.
  • DE Demeioun Robinson, MD (6'3", 220) .9602 - Camped at PSU over the summer
  • DE Aaron Armitage, NJ (6'4", 240) .9385 - Same school as Oweh. Was at the Whiteout and
  • DE Elijah Jeudy, PA (6'2", 220) .9307 - Camped and attended the Pitt game. Philly guy who knows Deion Barnes well
  • DE Colin Mobley, MD (6'4", 245) .8948 - A DeMatha kid which has sent a lot of guys to PSU.
  • DE Rodney McGraw, IN (6'5", 223) .8933 - Indiana kid was at Whiteout. Likely a UM commit but PSU is probably top contender
  • DE Kyran Montgomery, IN (6'4", 215) .8808 - Indianapolis kid who has mentioned PSU a good bit prior to getting his offer on 11/13
  • DL Monkell Goodwine, MD (6'4", 264) .9538 - Same school as former PSU commit Aaryn Parks. This kid will be a national recruitment with everyone involved.
  • DT Tywone Malone, NJ (6'4", 300) .9807 - Great rhyming name and has been at PSU a few times, most recently for the Purdue game.
  • DT Katron Evans, MD (6'4", 290) .9453 - Has been at PSU a few times, most recently the Whiteout
  • DT Tyleik Williams, VA (6'3", 295) .9280 - Was at PSU twice during the offseason
  • LB Greg Penn III, MD (6'1", 225) .9291 - A DeMatha kid, no recorded visits anywhere since April
  • CB Tony Grimes, VA (6'0", 180) .9940 - Would be a great get for his talent and his influence in the Virginia Beach region, but he's the #1 CB in the country so everyone wants him. He skipped the Whiteout after planning to be there because his family couldn't find a hotel (no help from PSU allowed on unofficial visits).
  • CB Isaiah Johnson, WV (6'1", 180) .9853 - Going to be a big time recruitment since the part of WV he's in is practically southern VA. Was at the Whiteout.
  • CB Clinton Burton Jr, MD (5'11", 170) .9466 - A Florida commit, he goes to St Frances Academy. It would be nice to get in the door at SFA. Was at the Whiteout.
  • CB Steven Ortiz, AZ (5'10", 170) .9215 - Odd to have interest from AZ but his entire extended family is in the general area and his dad is from Bethlehem PA. Was at the Whiteout
  • CB Mario Love, NC (5'10, 170) .8578 - Was at the Whiteout and got the offer back in March.
  • CB Shafeek Smith, PA (5'10", 160) .8578 - Was at the Pitt game and Lasch Bash. Offered in May
  • CB Jordan Hancock, GA (6'0", 160) .8556 - Was at the Whiteout.
  • S Derrick Davis Jr, PA (6'1", 195) .9809 - Big time PA prospect. Was at the Whiteout.
  • S Jaylen Reed, MI (6'0", 190) .9165 - Was at the Whiteout.
  • S Tysheem Johnson, PA (5'10", 185) .9121 - Attended the Pitt game
  • ATH Zakee Wheatley, MD (6'2", 180) .8914 - Could play WR or DB and was at the Whiteout. Two crystal balls for PSU
  • ATH Jaylin Mines, MI (6'1", 190) .8678 - Enzo Jennings' teammate in Michigan was at the Whiteout and came away with PSU at the top.

2022 Names to Know:

These kids haven't even made it through their sophomore seasons in HS but some have already shown enough for PSU to target heavily. Almost all the names on this list will end up as bluechips, as is common for big-time early targets. I'm not posting their rating though because it is only from 247 and is way too early for that.

  • QB Braden Davis, DE (6'4", 190) - My personal pick for QB target in '22 class. I'm positive this will be a national recruiting battle. He visited for the Buffalo game.
  • RB Tevin White, VA (6'1", 190) - Former teammate of Devyn Ford, actually started at RB alongside him and allowed Ford to play more WR his senior year. Was at the Whiteout.
  • RB/LB Nicholas Singleton, PA (5'11", 195) - Was the top Opening SPARQ score for underclassmen this past summer. Was at the Whiteout.
  • WR Mehki Flowers, PA (6'1", 190) - Harrisburg target who appears to be all PSU and was at the Whiteout.
  • WR Anthony Ivey, PA (5'11", 170) - Lancaster kid who earned his offer after a monster start to his HS season and was at the Whiteout.
  • DE Enai White, PA (6'5", 225) - Big, big time recruit from same HS as Shaka Toney.
  • DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, MD (6'5", 250) - Big, big time recruit from McDonogh which gave us PJ Mustipher, DVon Ellies, and Curtis Jacobs so far.
  • DE KJ Miles, NJ (6'4", 260) - The earliest '22 offer for PSU, he was at the Pitt game.
  • DE/LB Ken Talley, PA (6'2", 200) - He dominated big OTs on the camp circuit where his burst couldn't be stopped. From the same HS as Deion Barnes and '21 target Elijah Jeudy.
  • DT Kwan Williams, MD (6'1, 285) - Big, big time recruit from McDonogh which gave us PJ Mustipher, DVon Ellies, and Curtis Jacobs so far.
  • LB Shawn Murphy, VA (6'1", 200) - Big time recruit who was at Lasch Bash
  • LB Anthony Johnson, PA (6'1", 230) - Philly kid who visited for Pitt
  • LB Jaishawn Barham, MD (6'3", 230) - Dematha kid whose last recorded visit was in April to PSU
  • CB William Johnson, MI (6'1", 180) - Michigan kid in town for the Whiteout
  • CB Jaden Gould, NJ (6'2", 205) - Big corner whose last trip was to PSU for the Lasch Bash
  • S Keon Sabb, NJ (6'2", 190) - Big time safety out of Jersey who got his offer during his visit for the Whiteout weekend.
  • ATH Kaden Saunders, OH (5'10", 155) - Ohio kid who was at the Whiteout. His dad was a big fan of Franklin's on twitter after the Sutherland/dreads story came out.
If you've made it this far through 2600 words, congrats. Now go straight to the mental ward. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Or stay with me, the ride is just getting started.

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