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VISITORS TO CAMPUS
It was a busy weekend for visitors in Happy Valley. Headlining the group was a trio of 2020 commits - Curtis Jacobs, Grant Toutant, and Nick Dawkins.
Strictly Business! ⚪️ #WeAre @coachjfranklin pic.twitter.com/BXApybwmei
— Grant Toutant (@toutant_grant) May 20, 2019
I will be back home in Happy Valley tomorrow! ⚪️ #WeAre
— Nicholas Dawkins (@TheNickDawkins) May 17, 2019
It’s always a good thing to get commits back on campus. This is especially true during busy recruiting weekends like this one. As we will get to, there was a good bit of peer recruiting going on this weekend.
Over the weekend the Nittany Lions also got one of their top 2020 defensive back targets back on campus in the form of Makari Paige.
Amazing weekend in Happy Valley #WeAre
— MAKARI PAIGE ¹ᵏ (@makaripaige) May 20, 2019
State College, PA pic.twitter.com/p6bax0wjvG
Paige is a native of West Bloomfield, Michigan — the same high school as 2019-signee Lance Dixon. Right now Paige’s recruitment is shaping up to be a three horse Big Ten race between Penn State, Ohio State, and in state Michigan. He has visited Penn State multiple times, and the Nittany Lions appear to be a legitimate threat to the Wolverines.
In-state 2021 running back Tysheem Johnson was also on campus. The Philadelphia native is an early four-star according to 247Sports.
Penn State in the am... #WeAre ⚪️ @coachjfranklin
— CINCO (@tysheemjohnson5) May 17, 2019
Joining Johnson in town from the 2021 class was offensive tackle Tristan Leigh.
Penn State tommorow!!⚪️ #WEARE @BrianDohn247 @RivalsFriedman @Rivalsfbcamps @PennStateFball
— Tristan Leigh (@Leigh71Tristan) May 17, 2019
Leigh is a native of Farifax, Virginia, and is shaping up to be one of the top offensive tackle recruits in the country for the 2021 cycle. This was the first time Leigh was on campus since being offered in April.
Another notable visitor to campus was 2022 athlete Kaden Saunders.
Good times in Happy Valley ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9oeO1SyXG8
— Kaden Saunders⚡️ (@KSaunders03) May 21, 2019
The Westerville, Ohio, native has already visited Penn State on multiple occasions so it seems like the Nittany Lions are among his early leaders.
NEW OFFERS
A pair of visitors to campus were offered over the weekend in New Jersey four-star ATH RJ Moten and Michigan three-star WR Christian Fitzpatrick.
Most humbled and honored to receive an offer from Penn State! #weare @coachjfranklin @SpenceChaos pic.twitter.com/HJNekKMOSC
— rj moten (@rjmoten_) May 18, 2019
After an incredible visit yesterday to Happy Valley, I am ecstatic to say that I’ve received a scholarship offer from PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ‼️⚪️ #WeAre @mark_dup @GeradParker1 @coachjfranklin @CoachTimBanks pic.twitter.com/dp7yBd8qFy
— Christian Fitzpatrick (@Cfitz_1) May 19, 2019
It’s clear that Moten has quickly become a top target of his 2020 peers with a number of Penn State commits doing some recruiting on behalf of the coaching staff.
Scary pic.twitter.com/zI0FiaFNsd
— Curtis Jacobs (@CurtisUpNext23) May 20, 2019
What ya think @rjmoten_ pic.twitter.com/41WwKsOh79
— Grant Toutant (@toutant_grant) May 20, 2019
@rjmoten_ You can get used to this pic.twitter.com/F8mLwanuIk
— Nicholas Dawkins (@TheNickDawkins) May 20, 2019
Often times peer recruiting is some of the most effective and impactful. Hopefully, that will prove to be true in Moten’s recruitment.
OFFICIAL VISIT DATES SET
Four-star Virginia wideout KeAndre Lambert set his official visit for June 6, while Miami four-star CB Henry Gray will be making his official visit to Happy Valley on June 22.
Penn State official June 6! #WeAre
— KDL² (@Klamb2_) May 19, 2019
Penn State June 22nd #WeAre
— 2 (@D1bound_zay2121) May 18, 2019
Penn State is right in the thick of it for both Lambert and Gray. Lambert has been to Happy Valley numerous times, while Gray — being a Florida kid — has a great relationship with Ja’Juan Seider.