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Blessed & Honored: 4/6/2021

The recruiting train continues to roll on

NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl Classic-Memphis vs Penn State Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

TWO IN-STATE PROSPECTS HOLD VIRTUAL VISITS WITH STAFF

As Penn State continues to look to build their 2022 offensive line class they have identified in-state four-star offensive tackle Ryan Brubaker as one of their top targets. Last Thursday, the legacy recruit held a virtual visit with James Franklin, Phil Trautwein and Penn State’s strength and nutrition staff.

This was Brubaker’s second virtual visit with the Nittany Lion staff since being offered. He has also made it to campus for a COVID era visit and has an official visit to Penn State scheduled for early June. It is difficult to envision Brubaker not ending up in Penn State’s class.

Another in-state prospect who held a virtual visit with the Nittany Lion staff is defensive end Keon Wylie.

Wylie is a three-star prospect who attends Imhotep Institute in Philadelphia. Imhotep is one of the top programs in the state and produced soon-to-be NFL pass rusher Shaka Toney. While it is unclear where Wylie is on Penn State’s defensive end board he has been dominant on the field this spring which can only move him up Penn State’s board. With defensive end being a major need for the Nittany Lions this cycle, if Wylie gets to campus and his size checks out he will likely be a take for the staff.

TWO TARGETS SCHEDULES OFFICIAL VISITS

Led by Kaden Saunders and Anthony Ivey, Penn State is putting together a terrific 2022 wide receiver class. Another four-star target who remains high on the Nittany Lions is Darrius Clemons who has scheduled an official visit to Penn State for June.

Despite Clemons being an Oregon native the Nittany Lions are among the top schools in his recruitment. In fact, Penn State holds one of the two crystal balls predictions that Clemons currently has on 247Sports. Clemons has a great relationship with Saunders, as well as Nittany Lion wide receiver coach Taylor Stubblefield.

Assuming Clemons is able to make his official visit to Happy Valley the weekend of June 18-20, the Nittany Lions will have an opportunity to solidify themselves as one of his top two or three schools. This is a recruiting battle that Penn State has a legitimate shot at winning.

Four-star Texas defensive back Julian Humphrey is a player we discussed in last week’s Blessed & Honored. Humphrey originally planned to announce his college decision last Thursday, April 1. However, he has pushed back his commitment date which could bode well for the Nittany Lions.

Last week we said pushing back his commitment date could open the door for Humphrey to officially visit Penn State this summer. That official visit will indeed take place and it will be the same weekend as Clemons.

Humphrey’s recruitment is another one where the Nittany Lions are in the picture more than most people realize. Now that they will be getting Humphrey to campus for an official visit, the Nittany Lions will be legitimate contenders in his recruitment.

PENN STATE OFFERS LACKAWANNA SAFETY

As Penn State continues to search for safeties in 2022 they have gone back to a familiar place — Lackawanna Community College. Late last week the Nittany Lions offered Lackawanna safety Tyrece Mills, becoming his first Power 5 offer.

Penn State’s starting safety duo this fall will likely be Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown, both of whom arrived in Happy Valley by way of Lackawanna. So there is a history between Penn State and Lackawanna safeties.

Since James Franklin has arrived at Penn State the Nittany Lions have landed every Lackawanna prospect they have offered except one. With the great relationship between Franklin and the Lackawanna staff, if Penn State pushes it is hard to envision them not landing Mills.