LASCH BASH VISITORS

This past weekend was the biggest recruiting even of each summer for Penn State — the Lasch Bash. Most years the Lasch Bash is a combination of remaining top targets for the current recruiting cycle, as well as top targets for future cycles. Due to Penn State’s 2022 class already being close to full the main headliners this past weekend were 2023 prospects. Although, as we will get to, the Nittany Lions did have one of their top remaining 2022 targets on campus this past weekend.

Among the top 2023 targets the Nittany Lions had on campus this past weekend were four-star offensive lineman Antonio Tripp and four-star tight end Mega Barnwell.

Tripp attends McDonogh School in Maryland which has become a pipeline for the Nittany Lions. Entering the weekend Tripp is a player who was on commit watch. While he did not pull the trigger, the Nittany Lions appear to be the heavy favorites.

As for Barnwell, this was the second time this summer the former Penn State commit made it to campus. There appears to be a real chance that Barnwell’s recruitment is one of the rare ones where a player de-commits from a school and then eventually re-commits to that school.

Staying in-state, Philadelphia EDGE rusher Kion Wright was also on campus for the Lasch Bash.

Wright already holds a Penn State offer and is one his way to becoming one of the best EDGE rushers in the state for 2023. Wright attends Northeast High School which is the same school as 2022 defensive end commit Ken Talley. Wright certainly seems to be a player that will be a Nittany Lions if they pursue.

Helping Penn State’s recruiting efforts this past weekend was their lone 2023 commit, offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier.

Having a commit on campus to assist with recruiting is always a plus. Especially when that commit is a borderline five-star prospect with clout like Birchmeier.

Penn State also had a large contingency of 2022 commits on campus. Getting commits together is always important for building bonds, but this is especially true following a month with a recruiting run like the one Penn State went on in July.

This group included four-star linebacker Abdul Carter. During the Lasch Bash he became Penn State’s latest 2022 commit, joining the fold on Saturday evening after spending the day on campus.

TOP GROUPS

With Penn State still looking to potentially add another wide receiver to their 2022 recruiting class a pair of wide receivers have placed the Nittany Lions in their top group. The first of these two was four-star Oregon product Darrius Clemons.

Clemons officially visited Penn State in June, is close with Nittany Lion commit Kaden Saunders and his best coach relationship is with Taylor Stubblefield. Even though Oregon is also in his top three, the Nittany Lions may be the team to beat right now for Clemons. This is a recruitment that will carry on into the fall and potential until signing day.

Another receiver who visited Penn State in June and has now put the Nittany Lions in his top group is Texas native Omari Evans.

Evans has elite speed which is what intrigues the Nittany Lions. Evans recruitment is another one that will carry into the season. His name is one of a few from the 2022 cycle for Nittany Lion fans to keep an eye on.

2022, 2023 TARGETS SET COMMITMENT DATES

Offensive tackle remains a position of need for Penn State in their 2022 recruiting class. Their top remaining target at offensive tackle is St. Frances Academy product Andre Roye. Sunday evening, Roye announced his plans to commit on September 22nd.

Throughout much of the summer the Nittany Lions have appeared to be the leaders for Roye. Roye took an official visit to Penn State in June and was on campus for the Lasch Bash this past weekend. With Roye’s commitment a month and a half away, the Nittany Lions appear to be the favorites for the Maryland product.

Another player who was on campus this past weekend for the Lasch Bash and came out of it setting their commitment date is 2023 athlete Adon Shuler.

The Irvington, New Jersey, native will announce his college decision on August 15. Shuler will choose from Penn State, Maryland and Notre Dame when he commits on the 15th. Shuler already holds 12 Power 5 offers and is shaping up to be one of the top players in New Jersey for the 2023 cycle. His name will be one to watch in the next 12 days leading up to his commitment.