It didn't catch anyone by surprise here in the Lions Den when Rivals' 5.9 four-star MLB/DE Nick Tarburton [6-4, 240] from Pennridge High School in Perkasie, Pa. became the Nittany Lions' 11th verbal commitment for its class of 2018 around 6 PM last evening. Tarburton announced on Twitter that he had selected Penn State over scholarship offers from Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse.
Personally, I rank Tarburton as the 11th best overall prospect in Pennsylvania's class of 2018, but that could change somewhat dramatically during the recruiting process for Pa's class of 2018 over the next 12 months leading up to national-letter-of-intent day [Feb. 7, 2018] for the class of 2018. Tarburtan is considered by every recruiting service both on the Internet and otherwise as the fastest rising prospect in Pennsylvania's class of of 2018.
After an outstanding 2016 junior season at Pennridge High School where Tarburton registered 96 tackles, 17 tackles for loss [TFL] and six sacks, Tarburton was not only named to his conference's first team defense at MLB but also was named first team 6A all-state.
Tarburton, who already stands 6-4, 240, is most likely the most physically developed MLB in Pa's class of 2018. He's reported to have 4.85 40-yard speed, benches 315 pounds, squats 505 pounds and deadlifts 500 pounds. And is still capable of playing from sideline to sideline from his MLB position in Pennridge's defense.
When I closely analyzed Tarburton's junior 2016 hudl hightlight video I immediately was impressed with how fast he played the game despite his reported 4.85 40-yard speed. His football instincts and how well he reads his keys on defense are some of the best I've seen on film from a MLB for the class of 2018. There is no question at all in my mind that Tarburton will be fully capable of playing the MLB position at Penn State.
In addition to his football instincts and how well Tarburton reads his keys at the point of attack, he displays an excellent tackling technique. In almost every situation Tarburton drives through the ball carrier when making a tackle. In that respect Tarburtan reminds me of the way T.J. Watt played the game from his OLB/DE position in Wisconsin's defense during the just completed 2016 season. Physically, he appears to be a carbon copy of Watt and that is why many believe his growth potential will move him to a weakside DE position during his Penn State career.
Several other aspects of his play on his 2016 hudl highlight video impressed me. He gives 110-percent on every play and never takes a play off. His pursuit angles down the line of scrimmage to the ball carrier are perfect and most surprising of all I was highly impressed with the way he played zone pass coverage against his opponent's passing games. That usually is the area where most high school LBers have the biggest adjustment when they move up to the FBS level of college football.
Presently Rivals does have Tarburton ranked as a 5.9 four-star MLB for the class of 2018, but does not have him presently listed as one of Pennsylvania's top 15 prospects and a member of Rivals' top 250 list. However, when Rivals updates its top 250 list for the class of 2018 most likely in the next two weeks, Rivals has indicated Tarburton will be a member of its top 250 list and could even be part of Rivals100 list for the class of 2018.
Click on the link of Tarburton's 2016 hudl highlight video directly below:
Personally, I rank Tarburton as the 11th best overall prospect in Pennsylvania's class of 2018, but that could change somewhat dramatically during the recruiting process for Pa's class of 2018 over the next 12 months leading up to national-letter-of-intent day [Feb. 7, 2018] for the class of 2018. Tarburtan is considered by every recruiting service both on the Internet and otherwise as the fastest rising prospect in Pennsylvania's class of of 2018.
After an outstanding 2016 junior season at Pennridge High School where Tarburton registered 96 tackles, 17 tackles for loss [TFL] and six sacks, Tarburton was not only named to his conference's first team defense at MLB but also was named first team 6A all-state.
Tarburton, who already stands 6-4, 240, is most likely the most physically developed MLB in Pa's class of 2018. He's reported to have 4.85 40-yard speed, benches 315 pounds, squats 505 pounds and deadlifts 500 pounds. And is still capable of playing from sideline to sideline from his MLB position in Pennridge's defense.
When I closely analyzed Tarburton's junior 2016 hudl hightlight video I immediately was impressed with how fast he played the game despite his reported 4.85 40-yard speed. His football instincts and how well he reads his keys on defense are some of the best I've seen on film from a MLB for the class of 2018. There is no question at all in my mind that Tarburton will be fully capable of playing the MLB position at Penn State.
In addition to his football instincts and how well Tarburton reads his keys at the point of attack, he displays an excellent tackling technique. In almost every situation Tarburton drives through the ball carrier when making a tackle. In that respect Tarburtan reminds me of the way T.J. Watt played the game from his OLB/DE position in Wisconsin's defense during the just completed 2016 season. Physically, he appears to be a carbon copy of Watt and that is why many believe his growth potential will move him to a weakside DE position during his Penn State career.
Several other aspects of his play on his 2016 hudl highlight video impressed me. He gives 110-percent on every play and never takes a play off. His pursuit angles down the line of scrimmage to the ball carrier are perfect and most surprising of all I was highly impressed with the way he played zone pass coverage against his opponent's passing games. That usually is the area where most high school LBers have the biggest adjustment when they move up to the FBS level of college football.
Presently Rivals does have Tarburton ranked as a 5.9 four-star MLB for the class of 2018, but does not have him presently listed as one of Pennsylvania's top 15 prospects and a member of Rivals' top 250 list. However, when Rivals updates its top 250 list for the class of 2018 most likely in the next two weeks, Rivals has indicated Tarburton will be a member of its top 250 list and could even be part of Rivals100 list for the class of 2018.
Click on the link of Tarburton's 2016 hudl highlight video directly below:
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