2019 Recruiting Class Thread

[Ohio_Pirate]

Taggart already used his last in-home with Cross on Monday night. Kirby Smart and CJF still have there visit to come. I think there's very real chance he flips from FSU


https://247sports.com/college/flori...les-recruiting-Nick-Cross-top-four-128459252/

On Monday night, Willie Taggart made his final in-home visit to see Cross. Taggart and the entire defensive staff met with Cross and his family at their home in Maryland.

We’re told the visit went well, but Cross is still keeping his options open.

On Tuesday, 247Sports recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong reported that Cross will take a pair of visits before Signing Day. Cross intends to take an unofficial visit to Georgia on Thursday and an official visit to Penn State on Friday, through the weekend. Cross will also host head coaches Kirby Smart and James Franklin on in-home visits this week.

Maryland inserted themselves into this battle over the weekend when they hosted Cross and his family on an unofficial visit. Even though the Terrapins are late to the party, the hometown team should not be discounted. Mike Locksley is making a push to keep Cross home. Locksley also hired Cross' high school head coach as Maryland's new running back coach.

Willie Taggart has an excellent relationship with Cross, but the sharks are circling and with Signing Day approaching, the ‘Noles are hoping Cross’ loyalty to Taggart will win in the end.

247Sports ranks Cross as the nation’s No. 4 safety and No. 50 prospect overall. He is the No. 1 recruit in Maryland.

 

[GregInPitt]

https://victorybellrings.com/2019/0...ll-recruiting-2019-signee-profile-devyn-ford/

Penn State Football Recruiting 2019 Signee Profile: RB Devyn Ford

by Barry Leonard Jr.4 hours ago Follow @barryleonard
Four-star running back was a huge get for Penn State football recruiting

Penn State football recruiting has a very exciting class coming in for the 2019 season. Several blue chip prospects make up the class, giving the Nittany Lions one of the top classes in not only the Big Ten Conference, but also the nation. Among the top players coming to Happy Valley is running back Devyn Ford.

Rated as a four-star recruit, Ford is the No. 5 running back in the 2019 class and ranks as the No. 79 overall prospect according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings.

He earned several accolades throughout his high school career in Virginia while playing at North Stafford High School. He is the second-ranked prospect from that state, and played in both the Polynesian Bowl and the Under Armour All-America Game. He also made the roster at The Opening Finals.

He’s an athletic, shifty runner, who also possess power. After he adds some weight to his frame during college, he’ll be an even more dangerous runner.

Not surprisingly, Ford was a highly sought after recruit at the running back position. Clemson, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State all had offers into the talented back.

While Ford certainly garnered a lot of interest, he committed to the Nittany Lions last May. He stuck with his commitment throughout this past season. Perhaps the success of Penn State running back Miles Sanders, and Saquon Barkley before him, helped play into Ford’s decision to bring his talents to Happy Valley.

With Sanders announcing he’ll head to the NFL for the 2019 season, there’s a chance that Ford could see the field immediately if he impresses the coaches early. Regardless, look for him to play in at least four games before James Franklin and his staff make a decision on whether or not to redshirt Ford in 2019.

 

[Judge Smails]

One of my favorite parts of the 201X Recruiting Class Thread is the tangents and OT stuff that completely derails the thread - especially those who jump right into the fray, knowing that they are adding to the derailment. Just great stuff.

Anyways, I would tend to agree with you MilesB, particularly with #1 and #2.

#3 - I think the odds of landing Cross are much higher than Nester. I still think that everything needs to click for Cross's visit coming up.

For Nester, he has stated that he will not make any announcement before NSD, but will just send his signature in; AND he has never "decommitted." I think at the end of all of this, we could see something like, "well, I've always said I was committed to OSU and I never said I would stop listening and visiting other schools." (I don't know if the OSU network operates the same as PSU, but I wonder if OSU still has 2019 OLs on their board or if there have been any new OL offerings/visits/etc of late - with CJF I feel like the board-gods can kind of tell where a recruitment is heading by CJF's new offers and attention toward certain positions)

#4 - I think it's really possible that many see Asaboro as an OL project. Will be interesting to see if Sorrells travels to Bama this coming weekend. From his interview at the UA game, it sounds as if he is waiting on an opening from Bama. (He certainly looks the part of a mean Bama DL). One of the reasons he likes SCar is opportunity to play right away. Said that the biggest part of his decision is what school his mother likes. I have no idea why recruiting sites have Oregon. I would say his top 4 are 35% Scar, 35% PSU, 20% Bama, and 10% FSU.

If my predictions mattered:

1. Darkwa
2. TJ Jones
3. Cross
4. Hardy - I wonder about his camp circuit
5. Harrison-Hunte - can't discount his number of visits and proximity - is there a reason staff has not done an in-home visit as of late?
6. Sorrells
7. Nester - I think odds are he stays with OSU
8. Asaboro - probably UNC or postpones until 2020
9. Devonshire - KY or WVU

Good post. Harrison-Hunte visited Miami twice since he last visited PSU. Literally nothing pointing PSU's way in this though we are technically in his final two. Guess a miracle can happen but they normally don't.

Some are very confident that Nester is coming PSU's way. Columbus is much closer than State College to his home, we'll see if that is the deciding factor. Maybe it isn't. Don't have much of a feel here.

Curious if the Franklin/Spencer/Seider charm offensive sways Sorrells and what started out as a big South Carolina lead. No idea.

Cross would be such an enormous get. Fastest 55m time in the country iirc? #50 overall?

 

[danvillenit]

If I could only get one it would be Cross. The rest are relatively equal imo

 

[cjrugger]

If I could only get one it would be Cross. The rest are relatively equal imo

Cross is definitely #1 but you're grossly underrating Sorrells and Nester or overrating the other guys. Darkwa and Asaboro have barely played football and are incredibly raw

Would love to have them, but I think theyre a noticeable step down from Sorrells and Nester

 

[CappyToCJF]

Cross is definitely #1 but you're grossly underrating Sorrells and Nester or overrating the other guys. Darkwa and Asaboro have barely played football and are incredibly raw

Would love to have them, but I think theyre a noticeable step down from Sorrells and Nester

Good.
We need a couple of big athletic guys to develop that will be 5 year players....

 

[LurkerLazarus]

Good.
We need a couple of big athletic guys to develop that will be 5 year players....

Unlikely we will have many 5 yr players in the future. This is the portal era.

 

[Raffycorn]

Cross is definitely #1 but you're grossly underrating Sorrells and Nester or overrating the other guys. Darkwa and Asaboro have barely played football and are incredibly raw

Would love to have them, but I think theyre a noticeable step down from Sorrells and Nester

Cross seems like the only one that has a chance to contribute next year. That’s why he’s my #1, personally.

 

[BobPSU92]

He still is. Amen.

He still is because we were?

 

[TheGLOV]

Please get over Wilkins.

Discussion is good food; even if it is made up of sour apples.

It's all good arts.

 

[TheGLOV]

One of my favorite parts of the 201X Recruiting Class Thread is the tangents and OT stuff that completely derails the thread - especially those who jump right into the fray, knowing that they are adding to the derailment. Just great stuff.

Anyways, I would tend to agree with you MilesB, particularly with #1 and #2.

#3 - I think the odds of landing Cross are much higher than Nester. I still think that everything needs to click for Cross's visit coming up.

For Nester, he has stated that he will not make any announcement before NSD, but will just send his signature in; AND he has never "decommitted." I think at the end of all of this, we could see something like, "well, I've always said I was committed to OSU and I never said I would stop listening and visiting other schools." (I don't know if the OSU network operates the same as PSU, but I wonder if OSU still has 2019 OLs on their board or if there have been any new OL offerings/visits/etc of late - with CJF I feel like the board-gods can kind of tell where a recruitment is heading by CJF's new offers and attention toward certain positions)

#4 - I think it's really possible that many see Asaboro as an OL project. Will be interesting to see if Sorrells travels to Bama this coming weekend. From his interview at the UA game, it sounds as if he is waiting on an opening from Bama. (He certainly looks the part of a mean Bama DL). One of the reasons he likes SCar is opportunity to play right away. Said that the biggest part of his decision is what school his mother likes. I have no idea why recruiting sites have Oregon. I would say his top 4 are 35% Scar, 35% PSU, 20% Bama, and 10% FSU.

If my predictions mattered:

1. Darkwa
2. TJ Jones
3. Cross
4. Hardy - I wonder about his camp circuit
5. Harrison-Hunte - can't discount his number of visits and proximity - is there a reason staff has not done an in-home visit as of late?
6. Sorrells
7. Nester - I think odds are he stays with OSU
8. Asaboro - probably UNC or postpones until 2020
9. Devonshire - KY or WVU

Looks good to me sir.

 

[NittanyOpp]

Cross Sorrels Nester and I'm good. We Are getting Darkwa so he's just a cherry. Guessing we get two of the big 3.

 

[Judge Smails]

He just started following Micah Parsons on twitter.



Penn State- "This will be my third time at Penn State. I want to get a feel for how the players like the program, how they fit in, and how they are acclimating."

RIVALS’ REACTION…

Florida State’s in-home visit yesterday was very important for the Noles and it seems like everything went well but not well enough for Cross to cancel his final visits. Georgia getting him back on campus is big for the Dawgs and new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren will need to really impress Cross and his family for Georgia to regain the momentum they once had. Penn State is in the power position right now as they are getting Cross’ final visit before Signing Day. Everything has been set up well for the Nittany Lions and now the coaching staff just needs to seal the deal over the weekend.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

A PWO:

 

[Tom McAndrew]

And another PWO:

 

[Judge Smails]

He just started following Micah Parsons on twitter.

View embedded media

Penn State- "This will be my third time at Penn State. I want to get a feel for how the players like the program, how they fit in, and how they are acclimating."

RIVALS’ REACTION…

Florida State’s in-home visit yesterday was very important for the Noles and it seems like everything went well but not well enough for Cross to cancel his final visits. Georgia getting him back on campus is big for the Dawgs and new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren will need to really impress Cross and his family for Georgia to regain the momentum they once had. Penn State is in the power position right now as they are getting Cross’ final visit before Signing Day. Everything has been set up well for the Nittany Lions and now the coaching staff just needs to seal the deal over the weekend.

https://247sports.com/college/penn-...siders-Georgia-Maryland-Penn-State-128485854/

Cross, a 6-foot, 206 pound safety who will visit Happy Valley this weekend, verbally committed to Florida State in early September. That ongoing pact hasn't prevented him from exploring other collegiate options, and he tweeted the top-four list on Tuesday night.

Considered the No. 4 safety and No. 55 overall recruit in 247Sports 2019 composite rankings, Cross declined to finalize plans with the Seminoles in December during college football's early signing period. He is a headliner among the collection of athletes who will utilize traditional signing day ceremonies next Wednesday, Feb. 6.

"(Cross) has elite track speed and it translates to the secondary," observed 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn. "Can cover outside of the numbers in zone and closing speed is impressive. Strength is an asset. Plays physical, fills run gaps and also gets to the edge. Change of direction, athleticism, character and work ethic are plusses. Cares immensely about getting better."

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

He just started following Micah Parsons on twitter.

View embedded media

Penn State- "This will be my third time at Penn State. I want to get a feel for how the players like the program, how they fit in, and how they are acclimating."

RIVALS’ REACTION…

Florida State’s in-home visit yesterday was very important for the Noles and it seems like everything went well but not well enough for Cross to cancel his final visits. Georgia getting him back on campus is big for the Dawgs and new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren will need to really impress Cross and his family for Georgia to regain the momentum they once had. Penn State is in the power position right now as they are getting Cross’ final visit before Signing Day. Everything has been set up well for the Nittany Lions and now the coaching staff just needs to seal the deal over the weekend.

Do these kids get hosts on these weekends, even if attending with their families? Parsons seems to have become "the guy" the coaching staff lines up to host the big name prospects. Good for him, I think that shows trust and leadership in the kid.

 

[Judge Smails]

Do these kids get hosts on these weekends, even if attending with their families? Parsons seems to have become "the guy" the coaching staff lines up to host the big name prospects. Good for him, I think that shows trust and leadership in the kid.

It's an OV so Cross will have a host. Wouldn't be surprised if it is Parsons. Maybe another Maryland kid like Tariq Castro-Fields?

 

[Ohio_Pirate]

"(Cross) has elite track speed and ....Change of direction, athleticism, character and work ethic are plusses. Cares immensely about getting better."

We should just have reruns of NFL Network's coverage of last years draft combine running all weekend around campus.

 

[Ohio_Pirate]

 

[OhioLion]

We should just have reruns of NFL Network's coverage of last years draft combine running all weekend around campus.

Without a doubt that would be emphasized. I'm not going to look it up exact numbers, but IIRC, Penn State has several DB's floating around the NFL right now. And, last year's combine results would be early mention in the conversation.

OL

 

[bmw199]

So then Fitz for Darkwa. Getting him tomorrow? Ash went to Germany to get told no, lol

 

[ChiTownLion]

FWIW

 

[GregInPitt]

Just saw a CB for MJ Devonshire to UK, i.e. Kentucky.

• • MJ Devonshire
  • CB / 5-11 / 170
  • 0.8816
  • Predicted by:Josh Edwards

I was under the understanding that if there was no room for Devonshire at PSU or oh-high-ya, that he would be a "pitt lock", just like Tyler Reed.....

 

[pittfan2020]

Saw last night that wisdom asaboro is cancelling his OV to Oregon this weekend and potentially going to come to psu this weekend for an OV

 

[searay26]

Saw last night that wisdom asaboro is cancelling his OV to Oregon this weekend and potentially going to come to psu this weekend for an OV

They show an OV to Penn State on his timeline. I take it he didn't make it last weekend.

 

[Judge Smails]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...tles-to-monitor-on-2019-national-signing-day/

Battle for the Big Ten: There is an opportunity to see a changing of the guard in the Big Ten for the 2019 cycle. Urban Meyer's decision to hand the head coach chair over to Ryan Day combined with a relatively small Buckeye class has ceded the race for the Big Ten to Michigan and Penn State. Currently, Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines on top and No. 7 in the country; however, there's not much room to work with down the homestretch, so Michigan is essentially in the clubhouse eyeing the Penn State finish.

The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 10 with plenty of room to grow. It's working to flip four-star safety Nick Cross from Florida State, four-star offensive guard Doug Nesterfrom Ohio State and land late-rising uncommitted prospects like Joseph Appiah Darkwa out of Germany or tight end Brett Seither out of Florida. With a successful Signing Day, James Franklin will take the crown in the Big Ten but it's going to take a heck of a close to do it. To erase the 11-point difference between the two programs in the 247Sports team rankings, Penn State likely needs to win not one but both of the battles for Cross and Nester barring other unforeseen upsets.

 

[cjrugger]

They show an OV to Penn State on his timeline. I take it he didn't make it last weekend.

Wiltfong has a premium update on Asaboro up on 247 but the first comment is 'don't love that Penn State is getting another look' from a Tarheel fan. So safe to say he'll be up to visit this weekend. Also talk that his recruitment could go past signing day as he figures out his 2019 eligibility

 

[MoyerJones]

Cross Sorrels Nester and I'm good. We Are getting Darkwa so he's just a cherry. Guessing we get two of the big 3.

I'm in the same camp. Except after seeing some of HHunte's basketball videos, I'm hoping CJF can get him too.
Additionally, I would like to see the staff fill-up to the limit (depending on what happens with the # of transfers). We could see one of two articles over the summer, "PSU unprepared for number of transfers" or "Unlike other P5 schools, Franklin very open to players entering portal because he wants what's best for them"

Sorrells reminds me of Jimmy Kennedy, so I did some searching the web:

Sorrells - 6'3" 310lbs
40yd - 4.99
Shuttle - 4.80
Vertical - 29.9

Kennedy Pre-Draft - 6'4" 323lbs
40yd - 5.2
Shuttle - 4.72
Verticle - 30

 

[Judge Smails]

So safe to say he'll be up to visit this weekend.

Maybe.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...tles-to-monitor-on-2019-national-signing-day/

Battle for the Big Ten: There is an opportunity to see a changing of the guard in the Big Ten for the 2019 cycle. Urban Meyer's decision to hand the head coach chair over to Ryan Day combined with a relatively small Buckeye class has ceded the race for the Big Ten to Michigan and Penn State. Currently, Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines on top and No. 7 in the country; however, there's not much room to work with down the homestretch, so Michigan is essentially in the clubhouse eyeing the Penn State finish.

The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 10 with plenty of room to grow. It's working to flip four-star safety Nick Cross from Florida State, four-star offensive guard Doug Nesterfrom Ohio State and land late-rising uncommitted prospects like Joseph Appiah Darkwa out of Germany or tight end Brett Seither out of Florida. With a successful Signing Day, James Franklin will take the crown in the Big Ten but it's going to take a heck of a close to do it. To erase the 11-point difference between the two programs in the 247Sports team rankings, Penn State likely needs to win not one but both of the battles for Cross and Nester barring other unforeseen upsets.

This is comical. Enter the annual mythical conference recruiting championship...

"Battle for the big ten."

 

[GregInPitt]

I'm in the same camp. Except after seeing some of HHunte's basketball videos, I'm hoping CJF can get him too.
Additionally, I would like to see the staff fill-up to the limit (depending on what happens with the # of transfers). We could see one of two articles over the summer, "PSU unprepared for number of transfers" or "Unlike other P5 schools, Franklin very open to players entering portal because he wants what's best for them"

Sorrells reminds me of Jimmy Kennedy, so I did some searching the web:

Sorrells - 6'3" 310lbs
40yd - 4.99
Shuttle - 4.80
Vertical - 29.9

Kennedy Pre-Draft - 6'4" 323lbs
40yd - 5.2
Shuttle - 4.72
Verticle - 30

Unless HH told CJF that his recruitment is over and he's set on Miami, I have a hard time believing that CJF would give up the fight. But there have been no reports here of CJF or anyone on the PSU staff visiting HH.

 

[eidolon21]

Anybody, fan or Guru expert, who doesn't think Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and especially Michigan don't sign a few more recruits hasn't been paying attention. Especially Harbaugh and Saban who always find a way to ignore recruiting number limitations. The rules are not something to get in the way of getting the winning edge to those guys.

 

[Ohio_Pirate]

Cross deleted his tweet that listed a top 4
FWIW

 

[Texas Lion]

Wiltfong with a Cross update on 247.....+21 in the upvote category after 4 minutes posted.

 

[NittanyOpp]

Wiltfong with a Cross update on 247.....+21 in the upvote category after 4 minutes posted.

can you explain this to those of us who dont follow every recruiting move?

 

[Saquon4President]

It means we can’t access the post, it has to do with Nick Cross the stud 2019 Safety from Maryland, and it has the premium board members on that other PSU site feeling pretty good haha

 

[NittanyOpp]

It means we can’t access the post, it has to do with Nick Cross the stud 2019 Safety from Maryland, and it has the premium board members on that other PSU site feeling pretty good haha

Man we are getting desperate lol. Saw an article he posted on twitter about PSU coaches visiting him today then going to UGA tonight then going to PSU this weekend.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[PSU_522]

Darkwa tomorrow