/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69304328/usa_today_15919044.0.jpg)
PENN STATE COMMITS/TARGETS SHINE AT RIVALS CAMP
This past weekend Rivals Camp rolled into New Jersey. There were multiple Penn State commits and targets on hand. This included defensive end commit Ken Talley who, with his performance, earned an invite to the Rivals Five-Star challenge later this summer. Top defensive end target Dani Dennis-Sutton also earned an invite to the Five-Star challenge.
Congratulations to this morning’s Five-Star Challenge invitees in New Jersey
— Rivals Camp Series (@RivalsCamp) May 16, 2021
83 — Dani Dennis-Sutton
37 — Ken Talley
62 — Quency Wiggins
55 — Will Norman pic.twitter.com/CgZas55E0u
Talley’s strong performance came on the heels of a dominant junior season this spring that earned him all-star honors. Talley appears to be a candidate to earn a ratings boost as the cycle carries on.
Dennis-Sutton is one of the top defensive end recruits in the 2022 cycle, as well as being arguably Penn State’s top remaining target in the cycle. He is a borderline five-star player at a position of need who could make an impact as a true freshman, he also attends McDonogh School in Maryland which has become a bit of a pipeline for Penn State in recent cycles. Right now, the Nittany Lions hold all five crystal ball predictions for Dennis-Sutton on 247Sports. Dennis-Sutton was also named the defensive line MVP of the event.
Nittany Lion quarterback commit Beau Pribula and wide receiver commit Anthony Ivey also competed at the camp.
Penn State connection @RivalsCamp New Jersey
— Rivals (@Rivals) May 16, 2021
QB commit Beau Pribula @beauprib to WR commit Anthony Ivey @AnthonyIvey16 pic.twitter.com/2EjLDJuA0l
Pribula was one of the top quarterback performers over the weekend as he remains locked in on the Nittany Lions with his official visit looming next month. Any time a program can have their quarterback commit and a wide receiver commit work together it is a major plus as it can help them begin to develop timing and chemistry together. While this is less of a need with Pribula and Ivey who frequently workout together, them doing it at a Rivals Camp is good for the Penn State brand.
Keenan Nelson Jr., who attends St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia, took home defensive back MVP honors. Nelson Jr. is arguably Penn State’s top cornerback target this cycle.
Congratulations to today’s New Jersey @RivalsCamp Defensive Back MVP Keenan Nelson @KeenanNelsonJr1
— Rivals (@Rivals) May 16, 2021
Nelson has offers from Penn State, South Carolina and several others.@WilsonFootball | @XenithFootball | @EvoShield pic.twitter.com/spyLZB7ZJk
Like Dennis-Sutton, the Nittany Lions currently hold all of Nelson Jr.’s crystal ball predictions on 247Sports. Nelson Jr. is scheduled to take an official visit to Penn State on June 11 and the Nittany Lions appears to be the leader for the four-star cornerback entering the summer.
FOUR-STAR OFFENSIVE TACKLE’S TOP 5
Monday evening four-star offensive tackle Ryan Brubaker released his top 5 schools and this list included the Nittany Lions.
Announcing my top 5 schools! So happy for the opportunities presented by each, excited for June! @SportsByBLinder @MattPawlik5 @BrianDohn247 @RivalsFriedman @PaFootballNews @VandyFootball @GamecockFB @StanfordFball @PennStateFball @Vol_Football @336edits pic.twitter.com/ZkRjOJeDIL
— Ryan Brubaker (@RyanBrubaker78) May 17, 2021
Brubaker is a legacy, in-state recruit. While, yes, things did not turn out well last cycle when it came to a highly rated in-state legacy offensive tackle, the Nittany Lions appear to be the team to beat for Brubaker. Penn State currently holds the lone crystal ball predictions on 247Sports and he appears to be a prime candidate to commit during his official visit to Happy Valley next month.
TOP GROUPS
Four-star running backs Ramon Brown and George Pettaway have each released a list of top schools that included the Nittany Lions.
7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/R1iuD2sjH9
— Ramon Brown#️⃣7️⃣ (@Ramon_x7) May 12, 2021
God’s Work... #Top10 pic.twitter.com/nnmgUAtIQy
— George Pettaway (@gpettaway2) May 14, 2021
The Nittany Lions appear to be firmly in the top two or three for both Brown and Pettaway, while potentially being the leaders for Brown. With the Nittany Lions looking to take two running backs this cycle both Brown and Pettaway are names to know and to continue to monitor. Both also plan to be on campus for an official visit in June.