As always, I like to speak with contacts before I post notes on these camps. What I get to see and what contacts get to see/learn at these camps are two totally different things, so I wanted to speak with them before posting notes for you all. However, since it was Fathers Day yesterday, I didn't want to bug, so I had to wait until this morning. Sorry for the delay.
PSU Elite Camp I - Friday
TE Kyle Pitts
- Penn State extended one offer following Friday night's camp, which went to Archbishop Wood Class of 2018 TE Kyle Pitts. As you saw in the film I cut of QB Sean Clifford, both Pitts and Clifford worked together throughout the one-on-one session. Clifford was telling me that he really enjoyed getting to know Kyle. He was saying that he thinks Pitts' personality would fit in well at PSU, so I'm hoping to speak with Pitts in the next day or two. Once I'm able to do that, I'll write a full recap on his weekend.
On the field, he certainly showed his athleticism. Pitts still needs to work on his hands, especially when it comes to fade balls that he has to catch over his shoulder, but I understand why PSU offered. For a tight end, he's very athletic.
I was also able to get some of Pitts' testing numbers from contacts. Those numbers are below. Keep in mind that the 40 times, overall, were all much slower than previous years since they were ran outside and not inside Holuba. I had multiple contacts tell me that the staff was surprised with the slow 40 times, so a 4.65 for Pitts is pretty good, especially when you consider that he checked in at 6-4, 224. Inside Holuba, that could've been closer to 4.55.
40-yard dash - 4.65 seconds
Shuttle - 4.29 seconds
Broad Jump - 8 feet, 11 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 28 feet, 9 inches
QB Sean Clifford
- Clifford was the top overall prospect in attendance and I thought it showed throughout the evening. You can easily see that he's been working hard in the gym. In my opinion, when compared to Trace McSorley, Tommy Stevens and Jake Zembiec, Clifford is well ahead of those three, physically, at this stage in his high school career - he weighed in at 6-1, 210. Clifford didn't test for the staff, but his hands measured at 9.63 inches. That's pretty good for a high school junior.
On the field, I thought he was consistent throughout the session. His deep ball has definitely improved, which is good. In my opinion, Clifford's short to intermediate accuracy has always been his strength. I thought his touch on fade routes was most improved, at least, compared to previous camps I've seen him at. Only 2-3 were actually caught, but that certainly wasn't because of Clifford. His throws landed where they were supposed to basically every time. Overall, it was a pretty good showing for Clifford, which was to be expected.
OL Michael Miranda & Chris Bleich
- In addition to Clifford, 2017 offensive guard Michael Miranda and 2018 offensive tackle Chris Bleich were also in attendance. Unfortunately, I didn't see the OL vs DL one-on-ones. They took place on the lacrosse field while I was watching Clifford throw up at Lasch, but I was informed that Miranda dominated. Supposedly, he didn't lose a rep all day. Bleich was also solid, but he was also easily the biggest prospect in attendance. There wasn't a whole lot of DL talent in attendance, so these two should've dominated.
Below are some testing numbers from Bleich and Miranda
Chris Bleich - 6-5, 299 pounds
40-yard dash - 5.5 seconds
Shuttle - 4.95 seconds
Broad Jump - 7 feet, 11 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 23 feet, 7 inches
Michael Miranda - 6-3, 302 pounds
40-yard dash - 5.4 seconds
Shuttle - 5 seconds flat
Broad Jump - 8 feet, 4 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 25 feet, 2 inches
LB Zane Zandier - 2017
- Zandier, who weighed in at 6-2, 203, had a solid showing at PSU's camp, but I was really impressed with him Saturday during the 7 on 7 tournament. While linebacker isn't a position that you can really analyze during these competitions, Zandier showed his athleticism multiple times playing wide receiver on Saturday. I watched him pull in multiple jump balls - one of which was over Shaquon Anderson-Butts - while his route running was legitimately some of the best I saw all day. Obviously, he's not going to play WR at a school like PSU, but what I took away from that is that he's a hell of an athlete. I know PSU was hoping that he ran a better 40 on Friday night - 4.86 seconds - but again, it should also be noted that nearly everyone ran a slow 40 on Friday night. Testing usually takes place inside, but since they're currently re-doing the turf in Holuba, it had to all take place outside on a different field. That's something multiple contacts stressed to me, so keep that in mind. Zandier is definitely someone that could come into the picture down the road. He received a tour from the staff Saturday following the seven-on-seven competition.
LB Lorenzo McCaskill - 2017
- McCaskill is another linebacker that Brent Pry was watching closely Friday night. He measured at 6-0, 196 - I know the staff was hoping he'd be closer to 6-2 - but athletically, he had a very good showing. From what I understand, his size is the main reason that he still has mainly MAC level offers. Schools are very interested in McCaskill's skill set, but they're worried that his height could be an issue in a conference like the Big Ten.
Ath. Jesse Luketa - 2018
- Luketa is listed as an athlete on Rivals, but he measured at 6-2, 213 Friday night, so it looks as if linebacker would be his position if PSU decided to pursue him. Like others, his 40 was slower than expected - 4.9 seconds - but he had a solid shuttle time at 4.55 seconds. As of now, the staff wants to see how he develops this season before potentially taking that next step.
Names to Remember Down the Road
- RB Rashawn Allen - 2018
- QB Nathan Barnett - 2019
- TE Matthew Betterelli - 2018
- Ath. Shamar Campbell - 2018
- DL Andre Carter - 2018
- QB Adam Cecere - 2019
- QB Trey Dawson - 2019
- OL Charles Farrell - 2018
- OL/DL Bryan Felter - 2020
- DB Xavier Goldsmith - 2019
- WR RJ Hart Jr. - 2019
- CB Roderick Heard - 2019
- OL Jeff Jenkins - 2018
- RB Eric McArn - 2018
- LB Ovie Oghoufo - 2018
- DL Asim Richards - 2019
- LB Nick Tarburton - 2018
PSU Elite Camp I - Friday
TE Kyle Pitts
- Penn State extended one offer following Friday night's camp, which went to Archbishop Wood Class of 2018 TE Kyle Pitts. As you saw in the film I cut of QB Sean Clifford, both Pitts and Clifford worked together throughout the one-on-one session. Clifford was telling me that he really enjoyed getting to know Kyle. He was saying that he thinks Pitts' personality would fit in well at PSU, so I'm hoping to speak with Pitts in the next day or two. Once I'm able to do that, I'll write a full recap on his weekend.
On the field, he certainly showed his athleticism. Pitts still needs to work on his hands, especially when it comes to fade balls that he has to catch over his shoulder, but I understand why PSU offered. For a tight end, he's very athletic.
I was also able to get some of Pitts' testing numbers from contacts. Those numbers are below. Keep in mind that the 40 times, overall, were all much slower than previous years since they were ran outside and not inside Holuba. I had multiple contacts tell me that the staff was surprised with the slow 40 times, so a 4.65 for Pitts is pretty good, especially when you consider that he checked in at 6-4, 224. Inside Holuba, that could've been closer to 4.55.
40-yard dash - 4.65 seconds
Shuttle - 4.29 seconds
Broad Jump - 8 feet, 11 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 28 feet, 9 inches
QB Sean Clifford
- Clifford was the top overall prospect in attendance and I thought it showed throughout the evening. You can easily see that he's been working hard in the gym. In my opinion, when compared to Trace McSorley, Tommy Stevens and Jake Zembiec, Clifford is well ahead of those three, physically, at this stage in his high school career - he weighed in at 6-1, 210. Clifford didn't test for the staff, but his hands measured at 9.63 inches. That's pretty good for a high school junior.
On the field, I thought he was consistent throughout the session. His deep ball has definitely improved, which is good. In my opinion, Clifford's short to intermediate accuracy has always been his strength. I thought his touch on fade routes was most improved, at least, compared to previous camps I've seen him at. Only 2-3 were actually caught, but that certainly wasn't because of Clifford. His throws landed where they were supposed to basically every time. Overall, it was a pretty good showing for Clifford, which was to be expected.
OL Michael Miranda & Chris Bleich
- In addition to Clifford, 2017 offensive guard Michael Miranda and 2018 offensive tackle Chris Bleich were also in attendance. Unfortunately, I didn't see the OL vs DL one-on-ones. They took place on the lacrosse field while I was watching Clifford throw up at Lasch, but I was informed that Miranda dominated. Supposedly, he didn't lose a rep all day. Bleich was also solid, but he was also easily the biggest prospect in attendance. There wasn't a whole lot of DL talent in attendance, so these two should've dominated.
Below are some testing numbers from Bleich and Miranda
Chris Bleich - 6-5, 299 pounds
40-yard dash - 5.5 seconds
Shuttle - 4.95 seconds
Broad Jump - 7 feet, 11 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 23 feet, 7 inches
Michael Miranda - 6-3, 302 pounds
40-yard dash - 5.4 seconds
Shuttle - 5 seconds flat
Broad Jump - 8 feet, 4 inches
Triple Broad Jump - 25 feet, 2 inches
LB Zane Zandier - 2017
- Zandier, who weighed in at 6-2, 203, had a solid showing at PSU's camp, but I was really impressed with him Saturday during the 7 on 7 tournament. While linebacker isn't a position that you can really analyze during these competitions, Zandier showed his athleticism multiple times playing wide receiver on Saturday. I watched him pull in multiple jump balls - one of which was over Shaquon Anderson-Butts - while his route running was legitimately some of the best I saw all day. Obviously, he's not going to play WR at a school like PSU, but what I took away from that is that he's a hell of an athlete. I know PSU was hoping that he ran a better 40 on Friday night - 4.86 seconds - but again, it should also be noted that nearly everyone ran a slow 40 on Friday night. Testing usually takes place inside, but since they're currently re-doing the turf in Holuba, it had to all take place outside on a different field. That's something multiple contacts stressed to me, so keep that in mind. Zandier is definitely someone that could come into the picture down the road. He received a tour from the staff Saturday following the seven-on-seven competition.
LB Lorenzo McCaskill - 2017
- McCaskill is another linebacker that Brent Pry was watching closely Friday night. He measured at 6-0, 196 - I know the staff was hoping he'd be closer to 6-2 - but athletically, he had a very good showing. From what I understand, his size is the main reason that he still has mainly MAC level offers. Schools are very interested in McCaskill's skill set, but they're worried that his height could be an issue in a conference like the Big Ten.
Ath. Jesse Luketa - 2018
- Luketa is listed as an athlete on Rivals, but he measured at 6-2, 213 Friday night, so it looks as if linebacker would be his position if PSU decided to pursue him. Like others, his 40 was slower than expected - 4.9 seconds - but he had a solid shuttle time at 4.55 seconds. As of now, the staff wants to see how he develops this season before potentially taking that next step.
Names to Remember Down the Road
- RB Rashawn Allen - 2018
- QB Nathan Barnett - 2019
- TE Matthew Betterelli - 2018
- Ath. Shamar Campbell - 2018
- DL Andre Carter - 2018
- QB Adam Cecere - 2019
- QB Trey Dawson - 2019
- OL Charles Farrell - 2018
- OL/DL Bryan Felter - 2020
- DB Xavier Goldsmith - 2019
- WR RJ Hart Jr. - 2019
- CB Roderick Heard - 2019
- OL Jeff Jenkins - 2018
- RB Eric McArn - 2018
- LB Ovie Oghoufo - 2018
- DL Asim Richards - 2019
- LB Nick Tarburton - 2018
