WEEKEND VISITORS

Some of the Nittany Lions’ top targets from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes were back on campus this weekend for the first portion of spring practices. This allowed the Nittany Lions to solidify their lead for some prospects, while moving up the ladder for others.

Four-star Indiana defensive tackle Cole Brevard was one of the bigger names on campus.

Brevard has a top four of Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Penn State, and is scheduled to take official visits to the latter three this spring and summer, according to his 247 timeline.

Penn State offered three-star Virginia cornerback Joseph Johnson III, who already held offers from Duke, Florida State, Florida, and NC State, among others.

After receiving the offer, Johnson III took to Twitter to express the pro-Penn State vibes he was feeling during his visit.

Coziah Izzard was another four-star defensive lineman that was in town.

Moving forward, Izzard will be one to watch. He very well might be a case of “when” rather than “if” when it comes to joining Penn State’s 2020 class.

After recently being offered by the Nittany Lion coaching staff, three-star offensive lineman Drake Metcalf set up a visit. Despite having to travel across the country from California, it did not stop the mauler from making his way to campus.

Metcalf hails from national powerhouse Don Bosco Prep in California. He will be a name worth monitoring as he appears to be legitimately interested in the Nittany Lions.

Two other noteworthy prospects to make their way to campus were class of 2021 cornerback Mario Love and offensive tackle Ben Christman.

Love hails from Cornelius, North Carolina, while Christman is a product of Richfield, Ohio. It never hurts to get high-end talent on campus when they’re still just sophomores in high school.

NEW OFFERS

In addition to Johnson III, the Nittany Lion staff handed out a few other offers this weekend. One of those being to 2022 athlete Kaden Saunders.

Saunders is a Westerville, OH native — the same hometown of current Nittany Lion defensive tackle Antonio Shelton. There is a long way to go in Saunders recruitment, but Penn State has put themselves into the picture for the freshmen sensation.

Class of 2021 wide receiver, and member of the all-name team, Dekel Crowdus also received an offer while in town over the weekend.

The Nittany Lions joined Kentucky and West Virginia as Power 5 programs that have offered Crowdus. Getting in on the Kentucky product early in his recruitment should give the Nittany Lions the ability to be a player throughout his recruitment.

Three-star defensive end Kris Jenkins Jr. also picked up an offer over the weekend.

The son of former NFL star Kris Jenkins, Jenkins Jr. attends attends Our Lady Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland.

Legacy recruit William Nixon also received an offer over the weekend.

A 2020 wide receiver prospect, Nixon is the son of former Nittany Lion Jeff Nixon, who is now an assistant coach at Baylor. The Nittany Lions join Baylor, Notre Dame, and Purdue as Power 5 programs that have offered Nixon thus far.