I was able to catch up with Shane Fairfield this evening, head coach of Muskegon up in Michigan, home to 2017 LB Andrew Ward.
First thing I have to clarify: He doesn't have a legitimate offer quite yet. Long story short, his coaches misunderstood a few things. From what I was told, Brent Pry is closing in on an offer to Ward, but the staff is still evaluating 6 other prospects. PSU is probably going to offer two of the seven total LBs they're scouting. I don't know the other prospects off the top of my head, but I will ask around this week to learn more.
Andrew is likely going to be one of the two that are offered, but since schools hasn't let out up there yet, the staff still needs to get his completed transcripts and all that. Ward got off to a slow start academically but has really applied himself over the past year. I've had multiple people tell me that, not just his coach.
Ward also visited Penn State back in April to watch spring practice. He was joined by 2018 OL/DL Antwan Reed. Reed has already received an offer from Penn State. I'll write more on him in the near future. Maybe later this week.
Another interesting tidbit: Coach Fairfield had a lot of great things to say about not only their trip to Penn State, but his personal feelings about the university.
"I've always been a big Penn State guy," Fairfield said. "I've always been a big fan of John Cappelletti. I make my guys watch 'Something for Joey' every year. It's just an excellent story that I want all of my players to know, so I've always really respected the Penn State program. We also wear black shoes. If you ask my guys why we where basic black shoes, they'll tell you it's because of Penn State. We like to model that classic look."
That's just the coach speaking, not the player, but still, that's good to hear when it comes to the staff's chances with Ward and Reed. As of now, I expect Ward's offer to be official in the next 10-21 days, somewhere in that range. Brent Pry and Tim Banks are really high on him.
First thing I have to clarify: He doesn't have a legitimate offer quite yet. Long story short, his coaches misunderstood a few things. From what I was told, Brent Pry is closing in on an offer to Ward, but the staff is still evaluating 6 other prospects. PSU is probably going to offer two of the seven total LBs they're scouting. I don't know the other prospects off the top of my head, but I will ask around this week to learn more.
Andrew is likely going to be one of the two that are offered, but since schools hasn't let out up there yet, the staff still needs to get his completed transcripts and all that. Ward got off to a slow start academically but has really applied himself over the past year. I've had multiple people tell me that, not just his coach.
Ward also visited Penn State back in April to watch spring practice. He was joined by 2018 OL/DL Antwan Reed. Reed has already received an offer from Penn State. I'll write more on him in the near future. Maybe later this week.
Another interesting tidbit: Coach Fairfield had a lot of great things to say about not only their trip to Penn State, but his personal feelings about the university.
"I've always been a big Penn State guy," Fairfield said. "I've always been a big fan of John Cappelletti. I make my guys watch 'Something for Joey' every year. It's just an excellent story that I want all of my players to know, so I've always really respected the Penn State program. We also wear black shoes. If you ask my guys why we where basic black shoes, they'll tell you it's because of Penn State. We like to model that classic look."
That's just the coach speaking, not the player, but still, that's good to hear when it comes to the staff's chances with Ward and Reed. As of now, I expect Ward's offer to be official in the next 10-21 days, somewhere in that range. Brent Pry and Tim Banks are really high on him.
