Looks positive for Oweh.
Wiltfong's Weekly Buzz: PSU putting bow on elite 2018 class
Also inside this week's Buzz: Clemson making moves with major targets, Ohio State looks to shore up its quarterback situation, and Oregon lands a stud tight end.
(Photo: Frank Hyatt, 247Sports)
Penn State is sitting on the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class and
James Franklin,
Sean Spencer, and the rest of the Nittany Lions' staff are working hard to finish it off with three blue-chip defensive ends.
Three they need to go to the next level as the Nittany Lions are right on the cusp of being a great football team.
They were Big Ten champs last year and have a great shot at another New Year’s Six Bowl this year.
Guys like
Micah Parsons,
Tyreke Smith and
Jayson Oweh are the type of talents that could push Penn State into the playoff.
Despite the Nittany Lions ranking 12th nationally in sacks, the games where they’ve struggled are the ones where they’ve failed to generate a consistent pass rush. It's easy, then, to see why Franklin and company are all in on Parsons, Smith and Oweh to compliment some talented young edge players like
Shareef Miller,
Shane Simmons,
Shaka Toney and Yetur Matos. Adding those three to the mix completely re-energizes the greatest position of need on the roster. It's no sure thing that Penn State will land all three, but as it stands right now, my 247Sports Crystal Ball is riding with the Nittany Lions for each blue-chipper.
Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 5 recruit in the country, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Parsons is the most versatile front-seven prospect in America. He could play MIKE backer if you wanted to use him that way, but he has unusual traits as a pass rusher. Proximity to home has always seemed important in this recruitment, and with the Nittany Lions biggest threat Ohio State focused on other targets, it looks one Penn State will be tough to beat for the Harrisburg (Pa.) High standout.
And while his unofficial visit to Ohio State Saturday was an eyebrow-raiser regarding the PSU prediction, I still haven’t heard anything to make me believe it won’t be the Nittany Lions when the Cleveland Heights (Ohio) High standout announces at the Under Armour game in January. Both Smith and Parsons will take officials to Happy Valley in December, likely giving PSU the final visit for both before they decide.
Oweh told 247Sports over the weekend that Penn State has separated itself from its peers; we’ll see if that holds true when it's time announce a decision. Michigan gets a visit this weekend, Notre Dame is slated for one in December and Ohio State has been considered the leader at times throughout this recruitment. But Oweh has clicked with the coaches and players at PSU better than any other place.
Franklin and his staff have signed a top 25 class every haul since arriving in State College. During this cycle, they’ve raised the bar as they aim to go top 10 for the first time. Close these d-ends and it likely finishes in the top five.