I'll be reaching out to a ton of prospects throughout the week to learn who may be coming to not only Saturday's game against Iowa, but also the final game of the season at the end of the month. One thing to note: Penn State worked on its Ohio State list for months, so I'm not expecting another 180+ prospects to be in attendance. However, I do expect the staff to make a major push with many of their top prospects throughout the week.
Below are the prospects I've spoken with so far.
DB Lamont Wade (2017) - I confirmed with Lamont Wade's father Monday evening that his son will be returning to Penn State this weekend. Lamont suffered a minor injury to his knee this past weekend, but that won't impact his visit plans. Wade will likely be out for the next week or two, but he shouldn't miss much playing time.
DE Elijah Conliffe (2017) - Conliffe has been notorious for setting up PSU visits and not following through, but I did confirm with him that he's looking into visiting Penn State this weekend. Conliffe said he should know what he plans to do Tuesday evening or Wednesday.
DB Tariq Castro-Fields (2017) - Castro-Fields won't be visiting Penn State this weekend, but he did confirm with me Monday that he's spoken with the coaching staff about his official visit. The staff still has to officially set his flight and hotel, but I'm expecting Castro-Fields to visit Penn State Dec. 2-4. He'll then take his official visit to Maryland the following weekend, Dec. 9-11.
LB Nathan Proctor (2017) - Like Castro-Fields, Proctor won't be in attendance this weekend, but we did have a talk about what he's seen from PSU so far this season, plus visit plans for down the road. He was telling me that he's bummed out that he wasn't able to make a game this season, adding that he "really wanted to see another whiteout game at Penn State." For those wondering, Proctor visited Penn State last season for the game against Michigan. He did say that there's a chance he takes an unofficial visit to Penn State for the final game of the season, but we'll see where he stands at the end of the month. As for when he'll take his official visit, Proctor confirmed that he'll definitely take his official to Penn State Jan. 20-22. That'll likely be the weekend that all of Penn State's committed players visit, so that's a positive sign for the staff.
Committed Players - I confirmed with OL Michael Miranda that he'll take his official visit to Penn State this upcoming weekend. Miranda will be an early enrollee. I also confirmed with QB Sean Clifford that he'll be in attendance for the first time this season. Clifford should also be at the Michigan State game at the end of the month. WR Mac Hippenhammer and OL Robert Martin will also be in attendance. In the 2018 class, OL Chris Bleich and WR Justin Shorter are expected to attend.
TE Kyle Pitts (2018) - Pitts confirmed Monday evening that he's planning to attend Penn State's game against Iowa this upcoming weekend. It'll be his second visit to Penn State this season.
DE Dorian Hardy (2018) - I confirmed with Hardy's mother over the weekend that he plans to attend Penn State's game against Michigan State in a few weeks.
DE Malik Vann (2018) - Vann informed me that he's planning to attend either Ohio State or Penn State this upcoming weekend. His team is currently in the playoffs, which limits his ability to travel far, so I do think he'll likely end up at Ohio State, but I'll check in with him Wednesday.
Notable 2018 Prospects - I've spoken with a handful of 2018 prospects that have spoken with the coaching staff about visiting this weekend but aren't 100 percent set to attend at this time. Those players include DL PJ Mustipher, OL Rasheed Walker, DB Kalon Gervin and DB Isaiah Humphries. I plan to reach out to all four of them Wednesday.
Below are the prospects I've spoken with so far.
DB Lamont Wade (2017) - I confirmed with Lamont Wade's father Monday evening that his son will be returning to Penn State this weekend. Lamont suffered a minor injury to his knee this past weekend, but that won't impact his visit plans. Wade will likely be out for the next week or two, but he shouldn't miss much playing time.
DE Elijah Conliffe (2017) - Conliffe has been notorious for setting up PSU visits and not following through, but I did confirm with him that he's looking into visiting Penn State this weekend. Conliffe said he should know what he plans to do Tuesday evening or Wednesday.
DB Tariq Castro-Fields (2017) - Castro-Fields won't be visiting Penn State this weekend, but he did confirm with me Monday that he's spoken with the coaching staff about his official visit. The staff still has to officially set his flight and hotel, but I'm expecting Castro-Fields to visit Penn State Dec. 2-4. He'll then take his official visit to Maryland the following weekend, Dec. 9-11.
LB Nathan Proctor (2017) - Like Castro-Fields, Proctor won't be in attendance this weekend, but we did have a talk about what he's seen from PSU so far this season, plus visit plans for down the road. He was telling me that he's bummed out that he wasn't able to make a game this season, adding that he "really wanted to see another whiteout game at Penn State." For those wondering, Proctor visited Penn State last season for the game against Michigan. He did say that there's a chance he takes an unofficial visit to Penn State for the final game of the season, but we'll see where he stands at the end of the month. As for when he'll take his official visit, Proctor confirmed that he'll definitely take his official to Penn State Jan. 20-22. That'll likely be the weekend that all of Penn State's committed players visit, so that's a positive sign for the staff.
Committed Players - I confirmed with OL Michael Miranda that he'll take his official visit to Penn State this upcoming weekend. Miranda will be an early enrollee. I also confirmed with QB Sean Clifford that he'll be in attendance for the first time this season. Clifford should also be at the Michigan State game at the end of the month. WR Mac Hippenhammer and OL Robert Martin will also be in attendance. In the 2018 class, OL Chris Bleich and WR Justin Shorter are expected to attend.
TE Kyle Pitts (2018) - Pitts confirmed Monday evening that he's planning to attend Penn State's game against Iowa this upcoming weekend. It'll be his second visit to Penn State this season.
DE Dorian Hardy (2018) - I confirmed with Hardy's mother over the weekend that he plans to attend Penn State's game against Michigan State in a few weeks.
DE Malik Vann (2018) - Vann informed me that he's planning to attend either Ohio State or Penn State this upcoming weekend. His team is currently in the playoffs, which limits his ability to travel far, so I do think he'll likely end up at Ohio State, but I'll check in with him Wednesday.
Notable 2018 Prospects - I've spoken with a handful of 2018 prospects that have spoken with the coaching staff about visiting this weekend but aren't 100 percent set to attend at this time. Those players include DL PJ Mustipher, OL Rasheed Walker, DB Kalon Gervin and DB Isaiah Humphries. I plan to reach out to all four of them Wednesday.
