PSU incoming recruiting class

[psutito]

Who do we have coming in next year and how they rank individually and as a class?

Any insights into Shields and Maruca's decision to attend ASU over PSU? Anything to due with current roster including Hammond, Nolf, and Law....or something else entirely?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

3 verbals so far ...


1 - Vincenzo Joseph, Pittsburgh Central Catholic. 2X PIAA Champ. Won at 152 this year. Expects to start at 149 at PSU. Either #1 or #2 in high school rankings for 152
2 - Kellan Stout, Mt. Lebanon. 1X PIAA Champ Won at 182 this year. Could go 184 or 197 in college. Off top of my head, I think he's ranked around 11th in the country at his weight class
3 - Tristan Law -- brother of Cody Law. Can't recall how he placed at States this year.

Always hard to learn who PSU recruited, who they really wanted, etc. They showed some interest in a lightweight from Missouri, I think. They also recruited Freddy Stroker, of Iowa (he's going to Minny), but he and Joseph are basically the same weight, so you only get 1.

Roster is pretty full -- hence no other guys that were good in PA heading to PSU.

Tom



This post was edited on 3/21 12:57 PM by Tom McAndrew

 

[psutito]

Re: 2 verbals so far ...

Thanks, Tom. Appreciate the info.

I'm from NJ and follow HS wrestling here closely. Have seen Suriano from Bergen Catholic wrestle throughout the state tournament...hear he's high on Cael's wish list for 2016, which makes sense given the current roster dynamics at 125 and 133.

Would love to see him at Penn State. Embodies that aggressive, attacking style the Sanderson's teach. Appears to be a great fit for the program.

This post was edited on 3/21 1:01 PM by psutito

 

[El-Jefe]

Re: 2 verbals so far ...

3 verbals, also got Cody Law's brother Triston who finished 4th at 126 AA this year.

Maruca and Cenzo are the same weight and Cenzo destroyed him twice at the end of the year (regionals and states).

Shields is the same weight as Mason Manville, the #2 overall recruit in 2016 and a world gold medalist, who is committed to PSU.

Cael did go after Ke-shawn Hayes from Kansas City, who instead chose 4-5 years of long bus rides and average officials. Hayes is good friends with Myles Martin -- once Martin committed to Ohio State, Hayes wasn't far behind.

PSU also dipped a toe in the water with Martin and Nick Piccinnini. Martin grew himself right into Bo Nickal's path, and Piccinnini wasn't willing to risk sitting a year behind Nico (plus Smith's offer was bigger).

Those are the only 2015 guys PSU has been seriously linked to. This is considered a weaker class. 2014 was very strong, and 2016 is again very strong. Wise to save the scholarship money for next year.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Happy to help, though tough to do during Nationals ...


last year at this time, multiple sources were telling me that Myles Martin was a top target of PSU. By the summer (I think), I was hearing that he was a done deal for Ohio State. He wrestled 182 in high school. Did PSU back off? Did Ohio State offer more? It's so hard to get that kind of info.

Suriano is an excellent wrestler, and somebody that's been on the radar of PSU fans for some time. Will PSU go hard after him? Heck if I know. Things to consider: 1) what indications has Spencer Lee given PSU. He's worth adjusting your recruiting focus, 2) PSU seems to have a great relationship with Chad Red (and his dad), and he's rated #1 at 126 and will be a senior next year, 3) what is Nico doing next year? If he qualifies for an Olympic RS, and takes it, then the need at 126 is not for 3 seasons. If he doesn't qualify or take it, then the need is in 2 season, 4) along those lines, what will happen if Zain moves up to 149. Do Nico and JC and Jimmy start next year, with some shuffling of weights for them? If so, then Nico and JC will be on their last year, and Jimmy will only have 1 additional year left, so PSU will need multiple studs at 125, 133, and 141.

Fans spend hours trying to figure out the recruiting puzzle, but we don't know who the coaches really want. And while fans can project the lineup, it's always a guess in that kids grow out of weights, get injured, etc.

Tom

 

[meluvwrestling]

Re: 2 verbals so far ...

Originally posted by El-Jefe:
Cael did go after Ke-shawn Hayes from Kansas City, who instead chose 4-5 years of long bus rides and average officials. Hayes is good friends with Myles Martin -- once Martin committed to Ohio State, Hayes wasn't far behind.

El-Jefe,
Hayes & Martin weren't "good" friends until after they both committed to tOSU, they never really spoke to each other until about a month prior to their commitments. In fact, they didn't even know eachother until around August/September 2014. I talked to Mr. Hayes the other day about his son and Myles and even to this day, the boys don't communicate one on one on a regular basis.

PSU did recruit Ke-Shawn and Mr. Hayes said that it came down to tOSU and PSU. At the end of the day, Ke-Shawn went with his gut feeling and choose tOSU. He said that Cael Sanderson and staff showed him alot of love. He also said that Cael was nothing but a class act when he informed him of his decision unlike some of the other coaches.