TOP GROUPS
This past week has been a busy one as a part of top group SZN. Defenisve linemen Jihaad Campbell and Kaleb Artis each released a top group that included the Nittany Lions.
Final 8. pic.twitter.com/zqrC1RIHGP
— Jihaad Campbell (@RealJihaadC) March 2, 2021
#AGTG Top 7... ‼️ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/6YqvCWanOQ
— kaleb Artis (@KalebArtis2022) March 5, 2021
Campbell si a defensive end who attends IMG Academy in Florida, while Artis is a defensive tackle from St. Francis Prep School in New York. While the Nittany Lions are in the top group for both Campbell and Artis, there are some questions as to where each are on Penn State’s board. Also, the Nittany Lions are likely in the bottom half of Campbell’s top schools. That said, both of these recruitments are ones the Nittany Lions should continue to hang around in.
In the state of New Jersey, the Nittany Lions cracked the top 6 for three-star cornerback Avery Powell and the top 10 of four-star offensive tackle Jacob Allen.
Top 6... #AGTG pic.twitter.com/TxcsOV8VQ0
— ₂₉ (@Averypow_29) March 4, 2021
Top 10https://t.co/63bbDIHYIB
— Jacob Allen (@JacobAllen_79) March 5, 2021
Right now, Powell appears to be in the second tier of prospects on Penn State’s cornerback board. That said, it never hurts to keep a talented in region player warm.
As for Allen, his top two currently appears to be Penn State and Rutgers. 247Sports ranks him as the top 2022 prospect in the state of New Jersey and he is one of the hgihest rated offensive linemen on Penn State’s board. Penn State appears primed to sign a strong offensive line class, and Allen very well may be part of this class.
The Nittany Lions have also made the top 10 of four-star cornerback Keenan Nelson.
Top Ten for Keenan Nelson Jr! pic.twitter.com/qc0EZ2Y9YJ
— Matt Kajmowicz (@mkaj_4) March 7, 2021
Nelson attends St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia and is arguably Penn State’s top cornerback target this cycle. Nelson’s recruitment is one that does not appear to be leaning any one direction or another at the moment. Look for Nelson to get out and about when visits start back up, including a trip to Happy Valley.
VIRTUAL VISIT FOR OFFENSIVE LINE TARGET
While prospects still can not officially or unofficially visit campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual visits are carrying on. Fast rising offensive tackle prospect Ryan Brubaker took a virtual visit to Penn State last week.
Thank you @coachjfranklin, @CoachTrautFB, @WendyLaurent55, @CoachTHowle, and @Destiny_Rod for the great virtual tour tonight!
— Ryan Brubaker (@RyanBrubaker78) March 3, 2021
Brubaker is a four-star offenisve tackle from Denver High School in Cocalico, Pennsylvania. Brubaker is also a legacy recruit for the Nittany Lions. Penn State offered Brubaker on February 23 and a week later he was taking a virtual visit to campus. The Nittany Lions appear to be high on Brubaker and it is tough to see them not landing him if they push for a commitment.
NEW 2022 DE OFFER
Defensive end Micah Wing is a player that the Penn State coaching staff has been monitoring for quite some time. Last week, the Nittany Lions finally pulled the trigger on offering Wing.
ALL GLORY TO GOD.... honored, blessed and humble to have received another D1 offer from Penn State University @coachjfranklin @DBarnes_18 @CoachTerryPSU @CoachJScott_DL @damehova9 @DemetricDWarren @ScoutNickP #AppreciateYou #Weare #nittanylions pic.twitter.com/AcXtfinJhX
— Micah Wing (@MicahWing1) March 2, 2021
Wing is a three-star prospect from Bear, Delaware. Penn State became Wing’s 6th Power 5 offer. With the need the Nittany Lions have at defensive end in the 2022 cycle each defensive end offer is noteworthy, especially an offer to an in-region defensive end that they have been tracking for an extended period of time.
TOP PROSPECTS PLAN OFFICIAL VISITS
If the NCAA allows it, which at this point they basically have to, it appears the weekend of June 11-13 will be a busy one in Happy Valley. This is because it is shaping to be a busy one for un-committed official visitors.
Four-star defensive back Jaeden Gould, four-star defensive lineman Joe Strickland and four-star running back Nick Singleton have all announced plans to officially visit Penn State that weekend.
Happy Valley June 11-13th @CoachTerryPSU pic.twitter.com/jGBXiK3t12
— Jaeden Gould (@JaedenGould5) March 6, 2021
Happy Valley In June #WeAre @CoachJScott_DL @coachjfranklin pic.twitter.com/cwByTQO1th
— Joe Strickland. (@J3stripe) March 8, 2021
Official Visit PSU June 11-13 ! @coachjfranklin @coachseider pic.twitter.com/2of3v4buXB
— Nicholas Singleton (@Nichola14110718) March 8, 2021
Gould attends Bergen Catholic in New Jersey and is one of Penn State’s top defensive back targets this cycle. Strickland hails from Indianapolis, recently took a virtual visit to campus and his lone 247Sports crystal ball prediction is in favor of the Nittany Lions.
As for Singleton, he attends Governor Mifflin High School in Reading. Singleton is Penn State’s top running back target this cycle and a top 100 overall player in the cycle. Penn State holds the lone 247Sports crystal ball prediction for Singleton, but this recruitment will be a battle with heavy hitters such as Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State all heavily involved.
All three of these prospects are ones the Nittany Lions are heavily involved with. Getting them to campus for official visits could help swing their recruitments in favor of the Nittany Lions. Hopefully, these official vistis will be able to take place.