Has Sorrells been to Penn State in the past? Or is this weekend his first time to campus?
2019 Recruiting Class Thread
- Thread starter Judge Smails
- Start date
Has Sorrells been to Penn State in the past? Or is this weekend his first time to campus?
I don't want to see the staff handing out scholarships to kids that we didn't think were deserving before the 1st LOI Day. I'd rather run a little short and fill the spots next year.
Generally, I'd probably agree. However:
1) NFL draft early exits were higher than expected
2) transfer portal kids were higher than expected
The room will be there to take 25+ this year and very likely next year (some of our high end kids like YGM will be draft eligible next year, as well as the surprise ones). If the coaches want to use em, by all means!
Penn Hills is WPIAL 5A. I would say big boy HS football.
if we are at 20 now (including SV and DE), can we take up to 8 more = to the 28 max allowed? the # openings has been a bit of a moving target with all the departures.
Same reason as every other athlete that hasn't signed somewhere by now holding offers. Ask Sorrels....etc
He will be the best two star ever if he comes to PSU. If he went to Pitt or Michigan it's all laughter and he sucks. Just the way it works round here
Thanks, I know you don't like facts or the truth. My bad.
You still dislike me because a year ago I said Chambers should be canned. Die on that sword if you must.
Back to recruiting talk.
Not sure if this was posted before.
OZone briefly published a commitment to OSU article, then deleted it. Wouldn't get your hopes up.
You never know how things will work out. I remember we had some extra room a couple of years ago and sent out late offers to Pitt verbals Bowers and Givens. Bowers has been injury plagued, unfortunately, but is a tough, athletic player. He's 2nd string TE and hope he has an injury free year coming up. Givens of course left early for NFL draft but was our best DT for a couple of years.
Would look good on paper...his Hudl film isn't that impressive. Lot of if not all drive blocking and reach stepping. Probably isn't quick enough to pass block thus would be a guard IMHO....but he would look good on paper and fill up some space-no pun intended.
Recruiting Gellerstandt to stay the next 2 years could possibly be just as good in the longer term, along with bringing in 3+ OT's in 2020. But only CJF knows for sure!!
T.J Jones in my opinion is very underrated. Watched his hudl vids, that kid is a solid route runner which creates seperation that our wr’s always serm to have trouble getting.
I know it is not 2019 Recruiting related (it is 2018 recruiting related), but we debate on this site whether one game is meaningful or not in the eyes of a recruit. Based on the information below, one game was meaningful enough for one of Penn State's silent commits, who then decided to decommit and commit to Ohio State. Ohio State's come from behind win over Penn State in 2017 was what pushed Tyreke Smith to Ohio State. The article below is the first published information that I have seen where Tyreke Smith admits that he was once a commit (a silent commit) to Penn State (Micah Parsons called out Tyreke Smith on twitter last year for once being "one of us").
How the did the Rushmen flip Tyreke Smith to Ohio State?
Ohio State went from trailing to signing Ohio’s best defensive line prospect in each of the last two years after defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s group dominated in big games against each player’s recruiting leader. In October of 2017, that group helped rally the Buckeyes to a stunning come-from-behind win against Penn State — which led to come-from-behind recruiting victory against the Nittany Lions a little more than a month later.
“That [game] was the difference,” Ohio State freshman Tyreke Smith said after the Rose Bowl. “I was actually committed to Penn State when I was at the game. I thought they were going to win. I noticed in the fourth quarter how the defensive line didn’t drop off. Penn State, you could tell they got tired. But Coach Johnson’s defensive line, nothing stopped, if anything, they got better as the game went on.
“That day got me thinking like: ‘This dude really makes dudes better.’ With the talent I have — I was a natural player, I hadn’t played a lot of football — I felt it was the best decision for me. He could teach me and hone my skills the best.”
How the did the Rushmen flip Tyreke Smith to Ohio State?
Ohio State went from trailing to signing Ohio’s best defensive line prospect in each of the last two years after defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s group dominated in big games against each player’s recruiting leader. In October of 2017, that group helped rally the Buckeyes to a stunning come-from-behind win against Penn State — which led to come-from-behind recruiting victory against the Nittany Lions a little more than a month later.
“That [game] was the difference,” Ohio State freshman Tyreke Smith said after the Rose Bowl. “I was actually committed to Penn State when I was at the game. I thought they were going to win. I noticed in the fourth quarter how the defensive line didn’t drop off. Penn State, you could tell they got tired. But Coach Johnson’s defensive line, nothing stopped, if anything, they got better as the game went on.
“That day got me thinking like: ‘This dude really makes dudes better.’ With the talent I have — I was a natural player, I hadn’t played a lot of football — I felt it was the best decision for me. He could teach me and hone my skills the best.”
Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon were just bumped to #12 and #13 Nationally by 247.
I think the days of complaining about linebacker recruiting are safely in the rearview. This linebacker room is now the most star-studded that it’s been in decades. Really impressive.
Meanwhile Rivals had Dixon as a low 3 star until a few months ago
If you don’t placate the Rivals scouts by going to their special camps, you get punished in their rankings. I also suspect that Rivals’ scouts have a more old-fashioned view of what an “elite” linebacker prospect is in 2019. I think they favor players like Shane Lee more than they favor guys like Lance Dixon.
They talked about Dixon's versatility - being able to play inside or outside - ability to step up and take on runners - and ability to go after the ball for picks and strips. They seemed impressed with his performance at all star game.
They bumped B Smith for all the reasons that have been discussed about him previously.
Sheesh. That makes 3 five-star LBs in the last two classes.
And Rivals still doesn't have Dixon in their top 250. Someone tell Farrell to go get his shine box.
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They just rediscussed Dixon again.
I have 0 idea about the commentator's gravitas or bona fides, but he was asked why the huge bump for Dixon and why other recruiting ranking services have him so much lower. He basically said (paraphrasing): what they try to do is look at what the NFL looks for in draft talent. Then they go back to those NFL players' high school measurements, etc. When they looked at Dixon it was not a difficult choice. For such players they look for Elite Testing Numbers, Elite Measurables, and Elite Balls Skills (hands, picks, causing fumbles, etc.). They must've received a text from CJF about "eliteness." Anyways, he said the decision on Dixon was not all that difficult because Dixon has "all three" categories.
I have 0 idea about the commentator's gravitas or bona fides, but he was asked why the huge bump for Dixon and why other recruiting ranking services have him so much lower. He basically said (paraphrasing): what they try to do is look at what the NFL looks for in draft talent. Then they go back to those NFL players' high school measurements, etc. When they looked at Dixon it was not a difficult choice. For such players they look for Elite Testing Numbers, Elite Measurables, and Elite Balls Skills (hands, picks, causing fumbles, etc.). They must've received a text from CJF about "eliteness." Anyways, he said the decision on Dixon was not all that difficult because Dixon has "all three" categories.
Dixon was at 193, he went to 13? that's shocking
That’s in the composite. He went from being the #49 player in 247’s rankings to #13 now. His composite is being held back by Rivals keeping him way too low.
How do you recruit Gellerstandt to stay if he isn’t good enough to make the two deep?Recruiting Gellerstandt to stay the next 2 years could possibly be just as good in the longer term, along with bringing in 3+ OT's in 2020. But only CJF knows for sure!!
https://247sports.com/college/penn-...-Brandon-Smith-five-star-prospects-128162514/
Final 247Sports five-star rankings feature two Lions linebackers
ByTYLER DONOHUE 99 seconds ago
Recently enrolled Penn State linebackers Lance Dixon (Mineral, Va.) and Brandon Smith (West Bloomfield, Mich.) are in rarefied company in 247Sports' final 2019 recruit rankings. The full Top247 for the class of 2019 won't be revealed until Wednesday but every five-star prospect was identified Tuesday afternoon during a Facebook Live broadcast.
This new Nittany Lions duo made the cut, listed alongside 30 other 2019 class members who warranted five-star status from the 247Sports staff based on years of evaluation and projected long-term potential.
"These are the guys in 2019 that we believe are future first-round NFL draft picks," 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons said during the five-star reveal show.
Smith and Dixon land at 12th and 13th, respectively, and they are the top two linebackers nationally. Both players enrolled at Penn State earlier this month and will participate in Nittany Lions spring camp.
Smith, considered an inside linebacker prospect with the size (6-foot-4, 228 pounds) and versatility to find other paths to early playing time, initially earned a five-star bump last summer following his performance at The Opening Finals. Dixon, a 6-2, 201-pound playmaker, jumps from No. 49 in the most recent 247Sports rankings.
Penn State is one of eight programs that signed multiple five-star members of the 2019 recruiting cycle, along with Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal and Texas A&M. Last cycle, the Nittany Lions landed two five-star talents in the Top247: linebacker Micah Parsons and receiver Justin Shorter (running back Ricky Slade was a five-star composite prospect but a four-star talent as rated solely by 247Sports).
PSU could secure its second consecutive top-10 recruiting class Feb. 6 when National Signing Day wraps up several prospect pursuits.
Dixon used an official visit at the university in June and, three weeks later, pledged to Penn State from a group of finalists that featured Big Ten foes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin. An all-state track and field competitor, he provides elite quickness at linebacker.
Also utilized as a safety during his high school career, Dixon can defend a variety of opponents and won't be overmatched in pass coverage. He collected 95 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in 2018,according to the Detroit Free Press.
Simmons compared Dixon to former Notre Dame All-American and current Dallas Cowboys starter Jaylon Smith.
"We are way against the grain here," Simmons said. "Others in the industry have him all the way down as like a three-star prospect. I love this kid. No concern. Turn on the film. He's a 4.55 (40-yard dash) guy, he's a kid that plays offense, he's a kid that brings violence to the point of attack. He disrupts the football; always grabbing at it and picking balls off. He can do so much and we saw him up close at the All-American Bowl. He was very physical; not just a space linebacker. He can clog the run game as well and take on blockers. Penn State is getting a good one there."
Smith, named Virginia's 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year, was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the top linebacker in high school. He tallied 135 tackles, 14 quarterback pressures, nine forced fumbles and five sacks as a senior. Penn State entered his recruitment in April 2017 and eventually beat out several contenders, including Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
Simmons also discussed Smith, who he compared to former Vanderbilt All-American and current Houston Texans starter Zach Cunningham.
"The size, length, physicality there is all pretty freakish," Simmons said. "He's in the 4.6 (40-yard dash) range and he could evolve into an edge pass rusher, into a hand-down defensive end. But I think as an inside linebacker, he has so much upside. ... A guy who can slice into running lanes, be really physical. Brandon Smith is a very physical tackler and, despite that size and that length, he has no issues playing in the box right now. But he's got a lot of versatility."
Below is the complete list of five-star recruits in the final edition of 247Sports' 2019 rankings.
32: OL Evan Neal (Alabama)
31: WR Kyle Ford (Southern Cal)
30: CB Jeffery Carter (Alabama)
29: WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
28: LB Owen Pappoe (Auburn)
27: DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)
26: RB Jerrion Ealy (uncommitted)
25: OL Darnell Wright (uncommitted)
24: S Tyler Owens (Texas)
23: S Daxton Hill (Michigan)
22: DE Zach Harrison (Ohio State)
21: LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
20: CB Tyrique Stevenson (Georgia)
19: WR Jadon Haselwood (Oklahoma)
18: DT Zacch Pickens (South Carolina)
17: LB Marcel Brooks (LSU)
16: TE Baylor Cupp (Texas A&M)
15: S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
14: RB Trey Sanders (Alabama)
13: LB Lance Dixon (Penn State)
12: LB Brandon Smith (Penn State)
11. RB John Emery (LSU)
10. ATH Bru McCoy (Southern Cal)
9. QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
8. OL Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
7. OL Logan Brown (Wisconsin)
6. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
5. DT Travon Walker (Georgia)
4. DE Nolan Smith (Georgia)
3. DT DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
1COMMENTS
2. CB Derek Stingley (LSU)
1. DE Antonio Alfano (Alabama)
Final 247Sports five-star rankings feature two Lions linebackers
ByTYLER DONOHUE 99 seconds ago
Recently enrolled Penn State linebackers Lance Dixon (Mineral, Va.) and Brandon Smith (West Bloomfield, Mich.) are in rarefied company in 247Sports' final 2019 recruit rankings. The full Top247 for the class of 2019 won't be revealed until Wednesday but every five-star prospect was identified Tuesday afternoon during a Facebook Live broadcast.
This new Nittany Lions duo made the cut, listed alongside 30 other 2019 class members who warranted five-star status from the 247Sports staff based on years of evaluation and projected long-term potential.
"These are the guys in 2019 that we believe are future first-round NFL draft picks," 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons said during the five-star reveal show.
Smith and Dixon land at 12th and 13th, respectively, and they are the top two linebackers nationally. Both players enrolled at Penn State earlier this month and will participate in Nittany Lions spring camp.
Smith, considered an inside linebacker prospect with the size (6-foot-4, 228 pounds) and versatility to find other paths to early playing time, initially earned a five-star bump last summer following his performance at The Opening Finals. Dixon, a 6-2, 201-pound playmaker, jumps from No. 49 in the most recent 247Sports rankings.
Penn State is one of eight programs that signed multiple five-star members of the 2019 recruiting cycle, along with Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal and Texas A&M. Last cycle, the Nittany Lions landed two five-star talents in the Top247: linebacker Micah Parsons and receiver Justin Shorter (running back Ricky Slade was a five-star composite prospect but a four-star talent as rated solely by 247Sports).
PSU could secure its second consecutive top-10 recruiting class Feb. 6 when National Signing Day wraps up several prospect pursuits.
Dixon used an official visit at the university in June and, three weeks later, pledged to Penn State from a group of finalists that featured Big Ten foes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin. An all-state track and field competitor, he provides elite quickness at linebacker.
Also utilized as a safety during his high school career, Dixon can defend a variety of opponents and won't be overmatched in pass coverage. He collected 95 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in 2018,according to the Detroit Free Press.
Simmons compared Dixon to former Notre Dame All-American and current Dallas Cowboys starter Jaylon Smith.
"We are way against the grain here," Simmons said. "Others in the industry have him all the way down as like a three-star prospect. I love this kid. No concern. Turn on the film. He's a 4.55 (40-yard dash) guy, he's a kid that plays offense, he's a kid that brings violence to the point of attack. He disrupts the football; always grabbing at it and picking balls off. He can do so much and we saw him up close at the All-American Bowl. He was very physical; not just a space linebacker. He can clog the run game as well and take on blockers. Penn State is getting a good one there."
Smith, named Virginia's 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year, was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the top linebacker in high school. He tallied 135 tackles, 14 quarterback pressures, nine forced fumbles and five sacks as a senior. Penn State entered his recruitment in April 2017 and eventually beat out several contenders, including Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
Simmons also discussed Smith, who he compared to former Vanderbilt All-American and current Houston Texans starter Zach Cunningham.
"The size, length, physicality there is all pretty freakish," Simmons said. "He's in the 4.6 (40-yard dash) range and he could evolve into an edge pass rusher, into a hand-down defensive end. But I think as an inside linebacker, he has so much upside. ... A guy who can slice into running lanes, be really physical. Brandon Smith is a very physical tackler and, despite that size and that length, he has no issues playing in the box right now. But he's got a lot of versatility."
Below is the complete list of five-star recruits in the final edition of 247Sports' 2019 rankings.
32: OL Evan Neal (Alabama)
31: WR Kyle Ford (Southern Cal)
30: CB Jeffery Carter (Alabama)
29: WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
28: LB Owen Pappoe (Auburn)
27: DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)
26: RB Jerrion Ealy (uncommitted)
25: OL Darnell Wright (uncommitted)
24: S Tyler Owens (Texas)
23: S Daxton Hill (Michigan)
22: DE Zach Harrison (Ohio State)
21: LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
20: CB Tyrique Stevenson (Georgia)
19: WR Jadon Haselwood (Oklahoma)
18: DT Zacch Pickens (South Carolina)
17: LB Marcel Brooks (LSU)
16: TE Baylor Cupp (Texas A&M)
15: S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
14: RB Trey Sanders (Alabama)
13: LB Lance Dixon (Penn State)
12: LB Brandon Smith (Penn State)
11. RB John Emery (LSU)
10. ATH Bru McCoy (Southern Cal)
9. QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
8. OL Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
7. OL Logan Brown (Wisconsin)
6. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
5. DT Travon Walker (Georgia)
4. DE Nolan Smith (Georgia)
3. DT DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
1COMMENTS
2. CB Derek Stingley (LSU)
1. DE Antonio Alfano (Alabama)
Zach Harrison falls to #22. We'll see if he's more than a track athlete trying to play football.
“He’s just shown incredible athleticism here,” said Wiltfong. “Penn State, the way that they’ve recruited, they’re adding elite second-level defenders and Dixon is in that boat. He’s a rangy, active player that has not only shown that he can come in and fill against the run game but can also get downfield and make plays. He’s one of the fastest linebackers in the country.”"
Not disputing the accuracy of what you shared, but the tiring was due to lack of depth, not coaching.
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But it made for a good excuse...
Remember the poster that had nothing but positive posts about Harrison until he committed to OSU? Forget his name. He must feel pretty stupid now, huh?
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Yetur Gross Matos, DE, 1st team All Big 10 by the media, 20 tackles for loss as a true soph.
Carl Nassib, DE, former walk on, led FBS with 15.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 19.5 TFL All Big Defensive Player of the year, Lombardi award winner.
Penn State defensive line led the NCAA in sacks per game in the 2018 regular season. All the hype the Ohio State defensive line gets, PSU just goes out and performs. Not to mention, Larry Johnson is 67 and won't be around much longer, per his son.
That last sentence is a load of crap and just an excuse. Coach Spencer's DLs have gotten more production than LJ Sr's DLs while doing so with less talent to this point. LJ Sr is living off of his recruiting prowess and a reputation earned at PSU. His best days are behind him. As the talent gap becomes negligible watch for Spencer to be considered the best DL Coach in the B1G.
Remember the All Star game practices we just went through where analysts and writers came out with new information about how Harrison made no impact? And how I posted about those reports? And how writers like Steve Wiltfong are saying the same thing?
I realize you are some sort of psychopath and are on ignore for many goddamn good reasons, but try to keep all those voices screaming in your head on the inside and away from your keyboard.
