2018 Recruiting Thread

[itsofficial101]

I'm thinking that Oweh is the exact type of student athlete that the redshirt was designed to help.

1) He's only played football for 2 years.
2) He is still very lean for DE.
3) His upside is off the charts but needs time to develop it.
4) As an engineering student, the extra time for his academic career would be very beneficial. Alot of engineering students take 5 years to finish and they aren't balancing a major D1 sport.
5) He is a brilliant kid from a brilliant family. I think they are likely patient enough to fully invest in his maturation instead of being enamored by the quick and easiest way onto the field.

 

[LionJim]

I'm thinking that Oweh is the exact type of student athlete that the redshirt was designed to help.

1) He's only played football for 2 years.
2) He is still very lean for DE.
3) His upside is off the charts but needs time to develop it.
4) As an engineering student, the extra time for his academic career would be very beneficial. Alot of engineering students take 5 years to finish and they aren't balancing a major D1 sport.
5) He is a brilliant kid from a brilliant family. I think they are likely patient enough to fully invest in his maturation instead of being enamored by the quick and easiest way onto the field.

Nice post. This is a good post to wake up to.

 

[royboy]

Just see too many DEs that would be ahead of him of the depth chart right for him to not RS. The absolute best I could see right now is 3rd string, especially with him not enrolling early. Am hoping Torrence Brown comes back healthy.

Interesting to see how our definition of a recruiting "need" has changed.

Defensive End was a position of need in this recruiting cycle, but it wasn't like a few years ago, where a positional "need" was immediate and playing time available early.

 

[BBG65]

Happy to have him, seems like a great kid with an excellent upside. On a negative note, I don't think he played well last night. I saw him get manhandled a couple times.

 

[T J]

Kid has an offer from Harvard?
Wow impressive.
​

On the Field -
Fierce and Calculating.

Off the Field -
Quite a Civil Engineer.
​

Our kind of guy.

​

 

[Nittanygrad93]

I'm thinking that Oweh is the exact type of student athlete that the redshirt was designed to help.

1) He's only played football for 2 years.
2) He is still very lean for DE.
3) His upside is off the charts but needs time to develop it.
4) As an engineering student, the extra time for his academic career would be very beneficial. Alot of engineering students take 5 years to finish and they aren't balancing a major D1 sport.
5) He is a brilliant kid from a brilliant family. I think they are likely patient enough to fully invest in his maturation instead of being enamored by the quick and easiest way onto the field.

I agree with you completely. After watching the UA game, it is obvious that Smith is ahead of Oweh, at this point. At times, Oweh seem overwhelmed in the one on one situations presented. While at times, Smith seemed like the next Reggie White. I trust our staff to evaluate not just the immediate abilities, but also the future potential with development. Great pick up!

 

[djr4rebs]

Happy to have him, seems like a great kid with an excellent upside. On a negative note, I don't think he played well last night. I saw him get manhandled a couple times.

With as much fuss about academics as his recruiting involved, I don't foresee him leaving early for the NFL. I'm sure if the opportunity comes, he will go, but that will be four years down the road at the earliest.

 

[MilesBarkley]

"I was talking to the kids at Penn State," Smith said, "and they were like, 'For real, Coach (Larry) Johnson that dude is a great coach. I wouldn't be mad if you went there. I think he's the best coach in the country.'"

I find this very very very hard to believe...
1. Not one of these kids was at Penn State when LJ was a coach here to know about his coaching.
2. Our current players LOVE Coach Spence, and would be a straight slap in the face to him.

 

[PSUcup1]

"I was talking to the kids at Penn State," Smith said, "and they were like, 'For real, Coach (Larry) Johnson that dude is a great coach. I wouldn't be mad if you went there. I think he's the best coach in the country.'"

I find this very very very hard to believe...
1. Not one of these kids was at Penn State when LJ was a coach here to know about his coaching.
2. Our current players LOVE Coach Spence, and would be a straight slap in the face to him.

agree .... its weird

i think ive heard more about LJ being the best DL coach in the country over the last 2 weeks than i did in the previous 2 decades

 

[LaJolla Lion]

agree .... its weird

i think ive heard more about LJ being the best DL coach in the country over the last 2 weeks than i did in the previous 2 decades

He's the best Assistant HC in the nation who never got really promoted beyond DL coach and was pissed about it here. It's ok over there when he get got passed over.

 

[BobPSU92]

Happy to have him, seems like a great kid with an excellent upside. On a negative note, I don't think he played well last night. I saw him get manhandled a couple times.

I agree with you completely. After watching the UA game, it is obvious that Smith is ahead of Oweh, at this point. At times, Oweh seem overwhelmed in the one on one situations presented. While at times, Smith seemed like the next Reggie White. I trust our staff to evaluate not just the immediate abilities, but also the future potential with development. Great pick up!

FIRE. FRANKLIN.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Oweh + Training Table + Mr Galt + training with the Real best DL line coach in the B1G will yeild a great defensive end. Once he learns the techniques and gets the reps he will be a DE of national reputation in the next couple years. Upside is the word that observers used over and over again with him.

PSU is a perfect place for Oweh academically ....match made in heaven and he.made a great choice for his entire future. Can only say welcome to PSU young Oweh.

 

[PSUcup1]

I agree with you completely. After watching the UA game, it is obvious that Smith is ahead of Oweh, at this point. At times, Oweh seem overwhelmed in the one on one situations presented. While at times, Smith seemed like the next Reggie White. I trust our staff to evaluate not just the immediate abilities, but also the future potential with development. Great pick up!

i think its safe to say that (barring injuries) Smith will be a very good player. While Oweh absolute has the lower floor of the 2, i do believe that with his size and natural athleticism that he has the higher ceiling.... its just not a given that he becomes an impact player

 

[BobPSU92]

Are these the only guys we are waiting to hear about for 2018?

1. Solomon Enis
2. Rasheed Walker
3. Tyler Friday

I guess we won't know anything officially about them until Signing Day in February. Anybody else in the mix for 2018?

As I understand it, the word on the street is that Enis will sign with Penn State. Is he still seriously considering any other schools?

Walker is down to Tosu and Penn State. Any crystal balls on Walker?

As I recall, Friday is verbally committed to michigan. Any chance he flips to Penn State? Are any other schools seriously in the running for him?

Thanks!

 

[Judge Smails]

From the Opening testing last spring...Oweh ran a 4.63 40 at that event. Also a reminder about how athletic our QB verbal Levis is.

 

[Grass]

The kid has only played football for two years, has a massive wingspan and needs to gain 40lbs. He has plenty of time to gain muscle and learn technique before he will be called upon. From the sounds of it he is an excellent student so learning proper technique won't be an issue. He is raw right now and will only get better when he plays more football against better competition. These all star games don't mean a damn thing. Plenty of the "stars" in these games don't do much in college and are never heard from again. Remember Leon Williams? He looked liked LT in one of these games and didn't do much in college.

 

[royboy]

Oweh similar to Cameron Wake?

Selfishly, I hope:
1. He has that kind of ceiling
2. He develops faster than Wake did

 

[VaNtyLion]

Does Oweh see the field in the 2018 season?

My guess is he's a "yellow light" under CJF's classification, and probably will take a redshirt year for strength and experience (but, depending on injuries and his progress, could play some.)

Barring injury I'd be surprised if Oweh was in the plans for 2018 season. He probably has the highest ceiling of any of the recruits given his build and athleticism, but also is the most raw on day 1. Easy to forget he just started playing football as a junior and missed a lot of this season with some nagging injuries, so really has even less experience.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Barring injury I'd be surprised if Oweh was in the plans for 2018 season. He probably has the highest ceiling of any of the recruits given his build and athleticism, but also is the most raw on day 1. Easy to forget he just started playing football as a junior and missed a lot of this season with some nagging injuries, so really has even less experience.

Exactly it. DE's have a little depth next year and there will be no rush to get him out there. He has a lot to learn and also needs to get stronger. His ceiling is super high and that is why everyone went after him, but it's a 2-3 year process there.

 

[uscgPSU]

"I was talking to the kids at Penn State," Smith said, "and they were like, 'For real, Coach (Larry) Johnson that dude is a great coach. I wouldn't be mad if you went there. I think he's the best coach in the country.'"

I find this very very very hard to believe...
1. Not one of these kids was at Penn State when LJ was a coach here to know about his coaching.
2. Our current players LOVE Coach Spence, and would be a straight slap in the face to him.

https://www.landof10.com/penn-state/penn-state-prospects-jayson-oweh-signed-lions-december

After reading this, it just confirms my belief that Spencer is one of the most important coaches on staff. I hope he is on staff for a long time to come. He was the one I was worried JM was going to try and take to MS State with him.

Also, after reading this it is hard for me to see our players/recruits praising LJ as the GOAT and giving Smith a push to OSU. Doesn’t add up to me.

 

[Obliviax]

Barring injury I'd be surprised if Oweh was in the plans for 2018 season. He probably has the highest ceiling of any of the recruits given his build and athleticism, but also is the most raw on day 1. Easy to forget he just started playing football as a junior and missed a lot of this season with some nagging injuries, so really has even less experience.

Agree but lets not forget that Simmons got a lot of playing time as a RS freshman at 244. Oweh is listed at 235. I suspect the decision to RS will be situational. In other words, I am sure the staff would love to RS him but depth and injuries may dictate.

 

[LeatherHelmets]

My guess is Oweh takes the redshirt year as a true freshman and then is in the DE rotation as a RS freshman. A year in the weight room and causing havoc on the scout team and he'll be ready for at least the playing time that Toney and Gross-Matos saw this year.

 

[Judge Smails]

More on Spence vs. LJ....

Sack Totals (National Rank)
2015: PSU 3; OSU 12
2016: PSU 21; OSU 54
2017: PSU 7; OSU 10

Compare the recruiting class rankings as well. Ohio State has had multiple 5 stars to work with. Has Penn State had any 5 star defensive linemen? I don't believe so.

2014 PSU #47 OSU #5
2015 PSU #33 OSU #2
2016 PSU #24 OSU #3

 

[VaNtyLion]

Agree but lets not forget that Simmons got a lot of playing time as a RS freshman at 244. Oweh is listed at 235. I suspect the decision to RS will be situational. In other words, I am sure the staff would love to RS him but depth and injuries may dictate.

I don't think size is as much of an issue for Oweh as much as general experience. He's already bigger than Toney, who had good success as a pass rusher, but something to be said for a year of learning. The depth the program is building on both lines right now epitomizes "iron sharpens iron". Huge benefit to development when a redshirt can go out there on scout team against other freshman and be pushed by 4 star type talent. We have simply not been in this position for years.

 

[mrmk5110]

Agree but lets not forget that Simmons got a lot of playing time as a RS freshman at 244. Oweh is listed at 235. I suspect the decision to RS will be situational. In other words, I am sure the staff would love to RS him but depth and injuries may dictate.

Miller
Buchholz
Brown
Toney
Simmons
Gross-Matos
Joseph
Barber

It is a pretty crowded depth chart for a guy like Oweh who has only played football for 2 years to jump into a get playing time. The first 6 listed above all made significant contributions last year, and guys like Simmons showed significant improvement through the bowl game.

If Oweh winds up playing next year then the DE position would have gotten hit with a very significant injury bug.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

More on Spence vs. LJ....

Sack Totals (National Rank)
2015: PSU 3; OSU 12
2016: PSU 21; OSU 54
2017: PSU 7; OSU 10

Compare the recruiting class rankings as well. Ohio State has had multiple 5 stars to work with. Has Penn State had any 5 star defensive linemen? I don't believe so.

2014 PSU #47 OSU #5
2015 PSU #33 OSU #2
2016 PSU #24 OSU #3

"This!"

 

[Obliviax]

Miller
Buchholz
Brown
Toney
Simmons
Gross-Matos
Joseph
Barber

It is a pretty crowded depth chart for a guy like Oweh who has only played football for 2 years to jump into a get playing time. The first 6 listed above all made significant contributions last year, and guys like Simmons showed significant improvement through the bowl game.

If Oweh winds up playing next year then the DE position would have gotten hit with a very significant injury bug.

its a great point. We typically rotate four guys. So, you are correct, we'd have to have a big drop. And your point about experience is also important. I was just pointing out that playing a 240 lb DE isn't unusual.

 

[bmw199]

Are these the only guys we are waiting to hear about for 2018?

1. Solomon Enis
2. Rasheed Walker
3. Tyler Friday

I guess we won't know anything officially about them until Signing Day in February. Anybody else in the mix for 2018?

Don't count out another Dotson level surprise.

As I understand it, the word on the street is that Enis will sign with Penn State. Is he still seriously considering any other schools?

Seems to be leaning PSU. I think he visited USC recently.

As I recall, Friday is verbally committed to michigan. Any chance he flips to Penn State? Are any other schools seriously in the running for him?

He is not committed to anyone.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Saw tOSU is adding Washington State DC as co DC. First wsu doesn't have a good defense. Second, they are still anticipating a defensive coach to be leaving. Could be Schiano is going back to the NFL after the Tennessee fiasco.

What does this have to do with 2018 recruiting?

 

[Obliviax]

What does this have to do with 2018 recruiting?

Assistants do a lot of recruiting. The Washington State guy, at least for now, is making a latteral move to tOSU. My point was, it wasn't to be the new "10th coach" as Art suggested. PSU's new coach is far down the line, this guy is coming in as Assistant DC. He is coming in to replace someone, eventually. I wonder if LJ is retiring and/or that Schiano is leaving for the NFL (as all of those openings get filled, I see GB fired both their OC and DC).

My point being that a kid may go to tOSU to play for LJ and Schiano and there is a good chance one or both of them are no longer there after LOI day.

 

[83wuzme]

From the Opening testing last spring...Oweh ran a 4.63 40 at that event. Also a reminder about how athletic our QB verbal Levis is.

View embedded media

I think Levis is about as under - the - radar as a really solid QB prospect could be.

 

[Woodpecker]

I wonder if LJ is retiring

Not possible - Urbs promised that he'll be around for at least 4 more years.

 

[Roethlisberge]

Miller
Buchholz
Brown
Toney
Simmons
Gross-Matos
Joseph
Barber

It is a pretty crowded depth chart for a guy like Oweh who has only played football for 2 years to jump into a get playing time. The first 6 listed above all made significant contributions last year, and guys like Simmons showed significant improvement through the bowl game.

If Oweh winds up playing next year then the DE position would have gotten hit with a very significant injury bug.

You can add Colin Castagna (SR)

We are 4 deep at DE.

We do not know yet if Brown is 100% ready from his injury.

 

[Lion8286]

You can add Daniel Joseph (SO) and Colin Castagna (SR)

We are 4 deep at DE.

We do not know yet if Brown is 100% ready from his injury.

Joseph is on his list.

 

[Mister Magoo]

You can add Colin Castagna (SR)

We are 4 deep at DE.

We do not know yet if Brown is 100% ready from his injury.

I'm not even sure he'll be back

 

[CampbellLION]

So a HS kid is now Tom Brady?? OK

smh

No, the argument is which would you rather have, dominant DE or an Elite QB?

 

[Roethlisberge]

Joseph is on his list.

You are correct. Edited that. Thanks

 

[ChiTownLion]

No, the argument is which would you rather have, dominant DE or an Elite QB?

The argument is two dominant defensive ends (Parsons and Oweh) vs one elite QB (Fields). I'd call that a wash.

 

[royboy]

I think Levis is about as under - the - radar as a really solid QB prospect could be.

yeah, what goes into that "Nike football rating"? something similar to NFL combine?

 

[Judge Smails]

I'm not even sure he'll be back

Not to throw a guy under the bus completely, but Castagna looked like the guy who fell asleep as one of the three deep punt protectors and allowed the punt block against OSU. I don't think he was back there the next game. Not sure if he regained that spot as the season went on.