I caught up with a multiple contacts over the past 24 hours to try and get a feel for this upcoming weekend, plus the staff's plans for the following weekend, Jan. 29-31. Below are a few notes that I've been able to gather.
- When it comes to the snowstorm and all of that this weekend, everything is still a go. The four uncommitted prospects that I've already confirmed - Damar Hamlin, Khaleke Hudson, Brendan Ferns, Kyzir White - are all still expected to attend. I'm under the impression that those four players will be the only uncommitted prospects on campus this weekend. I won't rule out any additions, but PSU isn't actively trying to add prospects for this weekend. If another one or two additional prospects were to come this weekend, it'd be a late change in plans, most likely because they can't attend Jan. 29-31.
- Speaking of Jan. 29-31, it looks as if that'll be another very important weekend for the staff. I'm still building a list for that weekend, but I've now had multiple contacts inform me that the staff is aiming to have somewhere around 5-8 uncommitted prospects on campus next weekend. It could be more, could be less. Just depends on how things shape up, but that's the goal as of today. By now, you should be aware of WR's Nate Johnson and Dredrick Snelson, but Tim also confirmed last night that WR/DE Dae'lun Darien also plans to visit PSU next weekend. I still need to lock this down, but I know JUCO DT Brenon Thrift has been invited to take an official visit to Penn State. From speaking with his coaches, they believe it's likely that he visits Penn State next weekend, but I don't believe that's set in stone quite yet. I'll continue to monitor that throughout the week. I know that both Ricky Rahne and Brent Pry are en route to Scranton now to meet with Lackawanna coaches. However, Thrift and White won't return until Sunday.
A few other names to keep in mind for next weekend are WR Taysir Mack, DT Amir Watts and DT Antonio Shelton. Both Tim and myself are yet to hear back from those three, but we'll continue to try and learn more throughout the week.
- In addition to White and Thrift, PSU is also in the process of reviewing film for Lackawanna LB Emmanuel Beal. I was able to confirm that Penn State has decided to not offer LB Kapri Doucet, but PSU has liked what they've learned about Beal so far. I wouldn't be surprised if the staff invites him to campus next weekend, but we'll have to wait and see where the staff stands once they've finished evaluating his film.
- Finally, it looks as if the staff is no longer planning to host a big group of 2017 prospects on Jan. 30. I know that Ath. Lamont Wade, DB Damani Neal and OL CJ Thorpe were all planning to make a trip, so I wouldn't be surprised if those three and a few others are on campus, but the staff is no longer actively trying to add to that list. They're not going to turn anyone down if they want to make the trip, but the staff has decided that it would be best to shift their focus to the Class of 2016 prospects that will likely take an official visit next weekend.
- When it comes to the snowstorm and all of that this weekend, everything is still a go. The four uncommitted prospects that I've already confirmed - Damar Hamlin, Khaleke Hudson, Brendan Ferns, Kyzir White - are all still expected to attend. I'm under the impression that those four players will be the only uncommitted prospects on campus this weekend. I won't rule out any additions, but PSU isn't actively trying to add prospects for this weekend. If another one or two additional prospects were to come this weekend, it'd be a late change in plans, most likely because they can't attend Jan. 29-31.
- Speaking of Jan. 29-31, it looks as if that'll be another very important weekend for the staff. I'm still building a list for that weekend, but I've now had multiple contacts inform me that the staff is aiming to have somewhere around 5-8 uncommitted prospects on campus next weekend. It could be more, could be less. Just depends on how things shape up, but that's the goal as of today. By now, you should be aware of WR's Nate Johnson and Dredrick Snelson, but Tim also confirmed last night that WR/DE Dae'lun Darien also plans to visit PSU next weekend. I still need to lock this down, but I know JUCO DT Brenon Thrift has been invited to take an official visit to Penn State. From speaking with his coaches, they believe it's likely that he visits Penn State next weekend, but I don't believe that's set in stone quite yet. I'll continue to monitor that throughout the week. I know that both Ricky Rahne and Brent Pry are en route to Scranton now to meet with Lackawanna coaches. However, Thrift and White won't return until Sunday.
A few other names to keep in mind for next weekend are WR Taysir Mack, DT Amir Watts and DT Antonio Shelton. Both Tim and myself are yet to hear back from those three, but we'll continue to try and learn more throughout the week.
- In addition to White and Thrift, PSU is also in the process of reviewing film for Lackawanna LB Emmanuel Beal. I was able to confirm that Penn State has decided to not offer LB Kapri Doucet, but PSU has liked what they've learned about Beal so far. I wouldn't be surprised if the staff invites him to campus next weekend, but we'll have to wait and see where the staff stands once they've finished evaluating his film.
- Finally, it looks as if the staff is no longer planning to host a big group of 2017 prospects on Jan. 30. I know that Ath. Lamont Wade, DB Damani Neal and OL CJ Thorpe were all planning to make a trip, so I wouldn't be surprised if those three and a few others are on campus, but the staff is no longer actively trying to add to that list. They're not going to turn anyone down if they want to make the trip, but the staff has decided that it would be best to shift their focus to the Class of 2016 prospects that will likely take an official visit next weekend.
