I've reached out to basically all of the top prospects that were in attendance this afternoon.
Unfortunately for the staff, there were quite a few players that didn't make the trip. DL Dorian Hardy, Saf. Greg Newsome, OL Juice Scruggs, DE Antonio Alfano and RB Devyn Ford were all expected but didn't make it. Also, the three players that were 50/50 heading into today - LB Xavier Peters, DT Tyreke Smith, WR Shaquon Anderson-Butts - didn't make the trip.
Below are the prospects I've spoken with so far. I'll continue to update this thread as prospects get back to me.
OL Christian Armstrong - FILM - Warner Robins, Ga. - Warner Robins - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"We went on a complete tour of campus. I saw the academic center and the football facilities. The coaches and I talked about how they were glad to finally meet and that they like me as a player. One thing that stood out was their coaches sitting down with my parents and talking to them with an academic advisor. Also, it was fun talking to the coaches in general, plus seeing Beaver Stadium."
- On the facilities
"I liked the stadium a lot. Just walking in there, it felt like there was 107 thousand people in there. The locker room was also really cool. It was different from any other I've seen before. While on campus, I got to go through the town. You could tell it was a real college town and that the people there really care about their team."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"I really like PSU after this visit. The visit itself was different than any other. I will most definitely visit Penn State again. They definitely have a chance to make my cut when I do that down the road."
OL Nana Asiedu - FILM - Stafford, Va. - North Stafford - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw all the academic areas, the football facilities and the stadium. I talked to coaches about how I would fit in at Penn State and how I would be taken care of. What really stood out to me was how the coaches really love their players and cared for them like they were their own kids. Also, they really stress graduating their players "
- On the facilities
"I liked how they had more than three football fields at their facility, so you can work on your game at any time. The stadium is awesome. Coach Franklin said it fits 107,000, so that got me excited. The new locker room we saw was great. That caught my attention. We saw the town, too. I liked how they have everything on campus."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"They're at the top of my list. I'll probably be back for the spring game.
DT Marcellus Earlington - FILM - Ramsey, N.J. - Don Bosco Prep - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"The coaches said that I would fit perfect with their game and their system. They like how I rush off the edge. I really connected with the coaches. They were cool and laid-back and made me feel like I was already part of the family."
- On the facilities
"Yeah, I loved their locker rooms and meeting rooms. The stadium looked unreal and the campus was also really nice. I loved how the whole town, with the stores and shops, is around the campus. It's nice."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"PSU is definitely one of my favorites. I should be at the spring game."
Saf. DeMarcco Hellams - Hyattsville, Md. - DeMatha - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw everything that has to do with the football team, but also the academic side. I talked with the defensive staff and hung out with them the whole day. We just chatted about what's in store for the program. I have nothing but good things to say about the time that I had there. The staff is amazing. Coach Banks is a great coach. We spent most of the day together. We chopped up some film and he gave me some great coaching points. He feels as though he can take my game to the next level, so I absorbed everything he and Coach Pry had to say. The staff as a whole, Coach Franklin, Pry, Smith, Banks, Huff, they all made me feel welcomed.
- On the facilities
"Walking into the locker room, with the music playing, then walking through the tunnel onto the field, it just gives you goosebumps. You can picture yourself making plays. We also toured the town. It really did seem like Happy Valley. Everyone was enjoying themselves. One thing I liked is how close everything is to the campus."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"PSU was already a school that I was high on, but it surpassed my expectations. I'll definitely be back up in the spring. When I make the decision to chop my list down, they'll be in the (mix)."
Saf. Ronnie Hickman - FILM - Wayne, N.J. - De Paul Catholic - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"One thing I liked was the whole coaching staff. They showed a lot of love and definitely made my family and I very comfortable. We pretty much saw every facility that the football players would use. One thing that really stood out to me is how much Penn State has to offer after college. Also, like I said, their coaching staff. They're great."
- On the facilities
"The new locker room they have and their weight room are both very nice. We didn't get to see downtown as much, because of the weather, but what I saw (on campus) was very nice."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"They are definitely one of my top schools. I plan to visit again."
LB Shane Lee - FILM - Washington, D.C. - St. John's College High - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"First, everyone was really nice. I also didn't realize how prestigious PSU is (academically). I really enjoyed that piece of the visit. Coach Pry and I got to sit down and talk a lot of football. We went over some of their game film and talked about the history of the school and some of the great linebackers that played there. We also talked about the future and what he is looking for in his guys. I also got to see Ellison Jordan, who is a good friend of mine from Gilman. That was great."
- On the facilities
"Everything was very nice. Everything is top of the line for their guys. The town was nice, too. You could tell their fans love football and Penn State football, especially."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"I'll definitely be back, no doubt. It's still too early for me to know what my cuts are going to look like down the road, so I don't want to predict anything. But my guest and I enjoyed ourselves and we got some really helpful information."
DE Noah Potter - FILM - Mentor, Ohio. - Mentor - 2019
- On the trip overall
"I loved everything. They have something very special there. I loved all the coaches. It's a very family like atmosphere. The facilities and stadium were second to none. I talked to the coaches and they say they really like me and they said I have a college body right now."
- On the facilities
"The facilities are very spacious and have a modern feel to them, especially the locker rooms, stadium and practice fields. The stadium is breathtaking. To look out when you're standing on the field, it's amazing. I visited campus and downtown and they both had a small college town feel that I really liked."
- On his chances of earning a scholarship offer
"I met with Coach Franklin and the staff and they said an offer would be coming soon. I'll probably be back for the spring game or for a practice. I haven't scheduled any visits yet, but I'm guessing I'll have some in the future."
OL Caedan Wallace - FILM - Princeton, N.J. - Hun School - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw all of the athletic facilities, which were all awesome. The weight room, training facilities and nutrition centers are some of the best in the country. We spent a lot of time at Beaver Stadium, which was also amazing. 107,000 fans is spectacular. I spoke a lot with Coach Franklin and Coach Limegrover about how I fit with the school and with the team. They really think I'll be a great addition to the team. Coach Franklin offered me face to face, which was awesome. I already feel like a member of the family. Two things that stood out: the first one was how the coaches make you feel like a member of the family and the community. The second was the fact that the school has 160+ majors and that the coaches really care about education first."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"As the Big 10 Champions, this was very impressive. I will definitely be making more trips down in the future for games and practices. They will definitely make my list in the future."
DE Bryan Bresee - FILM - Damascus, Md. - Damascus - 2020 ***
- On the trip overall
"The two coaches I talked to the most were Coach Franklin and Coach Spencer. They said that they really liked my size, athleticism and my ability to play defensive end. I really loved the atmosphere and the enthusiasm the coaches showed. I also like the academic support they offer their players. Overall, I believe the staff really wants what's best for their players."
- On the facilities
"Their stadium was just huge. Also, their locker room was very up to date."
- On how excited he was to earn an offer
"I'm extremely excited and overwhelmed. I could have never imagined that I would receive all this love from so many big schools at such a young age."
Unfortunately for the staff, there were quite a few players that didn't make the trip. DL Dorian Hardy, Saf. Greg Newsome, OL Juice Scruggs, DE Antonio Alfano and RB Devyn Ford were all expected but didn't make it. Also, the three players that were 50/50 heading into today - LB Xavier Peters, DT Tyreke Smith, WR Shaquon Anderson-Butts - didn't make the trip.
Below are the prospects I've spoken with so far. I'll continue to update this thread as prospects get back to me.
OL Christian Armstrong - FILM - Warner Robins, Ga. - Warner Robins - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"We went on a complete tour of campus. I saw the academic center and the football facilities. The coaches and I talked about how they were glad to finally meet and that they like me as a player. One thing that stood out was their coaches sitting down with my parents and talking to them with an academic advisor. Also, it was fun talking to the coaches in general, plus seeing Beaver Stadium."
- On the facilities
"I liked the stadium a lot. Just walking in there, it felt like there was 107 thousand people in there. The locker room was also really cool. It was different from any other I've seen before. While on campus, I got to go through the town. You could tell it was a real college town and that the people there really care about their team."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"I really like PSU after this visit. The visit itself was different than any other. I will most definitely visit Penn State again. They definitely have a chance to make my cut when I do that down the road."
OL Nana Asiedu - FILM - Stafford, Va. - North Stafford - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw all the academic areas, the football facilities and the stadium. I talked to coaches about how I would fit in at Penn State and how I would be taken care of. What really stood out to me was how the coaches really love their players and cared for them like they were their own kids. Also, they really stress graduating their players "
- On the facilities
"I liked how they had more than three football fields at their facility, so you can work on your game at any time. The stadium is awesome. Coach Franklin said it fits 107,000, so that got me excited. The new locker room we saw was great. That caught my attention. We saw the town, too. I liked how they have everything on campus."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"They're at the top of my list. I'll probably be back for the spring game.
DT Marcellus Earlington - FILM - Ramsey, N.J. - Don Bosco Prep - 2018 ***
- On the trip overall
"The coaches said that I would fit perfect with their game and their system. They like how I rush off the edge. I really connected with the coaches. They were cool and laid-back and made me feel like I was already part of the family."
- On the facilities
"Yeah, I loved their locker rooms and meeting rooms. The stadium looked unreal and the campus was also really nice. I loved how the whole town, with the stores and shops, is around the campus. It's nice."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"PSU is definitely one of my favorites. I should be at the spring game."
Saf. DeMarcco Hellams - Hyattsville, Md. - DeMatha - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw everything that has to do with the football team, but also the academic side. I talked with the defensive staff and hung out with them the whole day. We just chatted about what's in store for the program. I have nothing but good things to say about the time that I had there. The staff is amazing. Coach Banks is a great coach. We spent most of the day together. We chopped up some film and he gave me some great coaching points. He feels as though he can take my game to the next level, so I absorbed everything he and Coach Pry had to say. The staff as a whole, Coach Franklin, Pry, Smith, Banks, Huff, they all made me feel welcomed.
- On the facilities
"Walking into the locker room, with the music playing, then walking through the tunnel onto the field, it just gives you goosebumps. You can picture yourself making plays. We also toured the town. It really did seem like Happy Valley. Everyone was enjoying themselves. One thing I liked is how close everything is to the campus."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"PSU was already a school that I was high on, but it surpassed my expectations. I'll definitely be back up in the spring. When I make the decision to chop my list down, they'll be in the (mix)."
Saf. Ronnie Hickman - FILM - Wayne, N.J. - De Paul Catholic - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"One thing I liked was the whole coaching staff. They showed a lot of love and definitely made my family and I very comfortable. We pretty much saw every facility that the football players would use. One thing that really stood out to me is how much Penn State has to offer after college. Also, like I said, their coaching staff. They're great."
- On the facilities
"The new locker room they have and their weight room are both very nice. We didn't get to see downtown as much, because of the weather, but what I saw (on campus) was very nice."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"They are definitely one of my top schools. I plan to visit again."
LB Shane Lee - FILM - Washington, D.C. - St. John's College High - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"First, everyone was really nice. I also didn't realize how prestigious PSU is (academically). I really enjoyed that piece of the visit. Coach Pry and I got to sit down and talk a lot of football. We went over some of their game film and talked about the history of the school and some of the great linebackers that played there. We also talked about the future and what he is looking for in his guys. I also got to see Ellison Jordan, who is a good friend of mine from Gilman. That was great."
- On the facilities
"Everything was very nice. Everything is top of the line for their guys. The town was nice, too. You could tell their fans love football and Penn State football, especially."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"I'll definitely be back, no doubt. It's still too early for me to know what my cuts are going to look like down the road, so I don't want to predict anything. But my guest and I enjoyed ourselves and we got some really helpful information."
DE Noah Potter - FILM - Mentor, Ohio. - Mentor - 2019
- On the trip overall
"I loved everything. They have something very special there. I loved all the coaches. It's a very family like atmosphere. The facilities and stadium were second to none. I talked to the coaches and they say they really like me and they said I have a college body right now."
- On the facilities
"The facilities are very spacious and have a modern feel to them, especially the locker rooms, stadium and practice fields. The stadium is breathtaking. To look out when you're standing on the field, it's amazing. I visited campus and downtown and they both had a small college town feel that I really liked."
- On his chances of earning a scholarship offer
"I met with Coach Franklin and the staff and they said an offer would be coming soon. I'll probably be back for the spring game or for a practice. I haven't scheduled any visits yet, but I'm guessing I'll have some in the future."
OL Caedan Wallace - FILM - Princeton, N.J. - Hun School - 2019 ***
- On the trip overall
"I saw all of the athletic facilities, which were all awesome. The weight room, training facilities and nutrition centers are some of the best in the country. We spent a lot of time at Beaver Stadium, which was also amazing. 107,000 fans is spectacular. I spoke a lot with Coach Franklin and Coach Limegrover about how I fit with the school and with the team. They really think I'll be a great addition to the team. Coach Franklin offered me face to face, which was awesome. I already feel like a member of the family. Two things that stood out: the first one was how the coaches make you feel like a member of the family and the community. The second was the fact that the school has 160+ majors and that the coaches really care about education first."
- On where PSU stands following this visit
"As the Big 10 Champions, this was very impressive. I will definitely be making more trips down in the future for games and practices. They will definitely make my list in the future."
DE Bryan Bresee - FILM - Damascus, Md. - Damascus - 2020 ***
- On the trip overall
"The two coaches I talked to the most were Coach Franklin and Coach Spencer. They said that they really liked my size, athleticism and my ability to play defensive end. I really loved the atmosphere and the enthusiasm the coaches showed. I also like the academic support they offer their players. Overall, I believe the staff really wants what's best for their players."
- On the facilities
"Their stadium was just huge. Also, their locker room was very up to date."
- On how excited he was to earn an offer
"I'm extremely excited and overwhelmed. I could have never imagined that I would receive all this love from so many big schools at such a young age."
