2017! Way too early but since we almost have a 2018 commit, I might as well start this year. First, let me say depending on how things work out in 2016 we only have like 8-9 scholarships right now for this class. I expect that to change because of guys from the ’13 and ’14 classes leaving years on the table to enter the NFL. Also, we really don’t have anyone below Work Left To Do (other than the obvious) at this point because most prospects haven’t eliminated anyone yet. This list will also be more fluid, in terms of adding or moving names since I am sure I don’t have everyone that others would have included. Last disclaimer, commit watch at this point may not mean they are going to commit even by JR day in February just that we are far in the lead with that prospect.
Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.
Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.
I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!
Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill
Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber
In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young
Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson
Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz
My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.
Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.
I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!
Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill
Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber
In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young
Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson
Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz
My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).