Story: Lee brothers pick Penn State

[Tim Owen/BWI staff]

I caught up with Nick Lee and Joe Lee to discuss their recent verbal commitments to Penn State. As prospects in the Classes of 2017 and '18, respectively, it's still a little early to project weight classes for them. Judging from our phone conversations, though, they both seem to be the exact type of prospect that this coaching staff loves to target.

More at the link below.

LINK: Lee brothers pick PSU

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[Chickenman Testa]

I caught up with Nick Lee and Joe Lee to discuss their recent verbal commitments to Penn State. As prospects in the Classes of 2017 and '18, respectively, it's still a little early to project weight classes for them. Judging from our phone conversations, though, they both seem to be the exact type of prospect that this coaching staff loves to target.

More at the link below.

LINK: Lee brothers pick PSU

​

Like I said in an earlier thread, early or not when 2 really talented kids are ready to jump on board, it's all good.

Just to reiterate, this is a TOP 5 recruit who is dying to wrestle for Penn State - and his talented little brother who wants to join him is not far behind in the rankings. I know rankings aren't everything but we'd be doing cartwheels if these guys were similarly-ranked Pa boys. Just because most of us haven't seen them wrestle live like a lot of guys have seen Lee, Verkleeren, Sasso, Beard, etc for several years shouldn't temper what good news this is. What would be the reaction if, say, Verkleeren committed tomorrow?

I've tried to watch their matches and I really like what I see . If you have a chance, try to check them out.

 

[lauren68]

Was looking at the eligibility/recruiting spread sheet Dice provides (which is a great tool to see how everyone fits in) and noticed he mixed the Lee brothers up. I think Nick is the oldest and Joe is the younger one. But no big deal. Also, noticed if Hall would take a redshirt year plus a year at otc, he would fit in nicely. SLee obviously fits for a redshirt year. A lot of possibilities.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Nice story, Tim. It filled some of the details on their recruitment and verbals. Really seem like two great additions, even if we have to wait a bit for them to join the program.

 

[KidNittany]

The Lees are perfect fits for PSU. Love their style and attitude. I think Joe is our earliest commit ever? (in terms of grade)

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Was looking at the eligibility/recruiting spread sheet Dice provides (which is a great tool to see how everyone fits in) and noticed he mixed the Lee brothers up. I think Nick is the oldest and Joe is the younger one. But no big deal.

Hey Dice, not sure if you saw this, but lauren68 is correct. You have Joe and Nick mixed up in your spreadsheet.

 

[dicemen99]

Hey Dice, not sure if you saw this, but lauren68 is correct. You have Joe and Nick mixed up in your spreadsheet.

Fixed now, thanks.

Also made some changes in how I listed eligibility. Basically, if the athlete has not wrestled in the starting lineup (or isn't projected to) I moved their eligibility to their actual academic class standing - so they all still have a RS left. Most of these kids move on after they graduate, so reflecting their eligibility doesn't make a lot of sense and the table gives a better sense of who may be leaving.

Still have eligibility left listed for guys like Phipps and Beitz, because although they may not end up being starters, they are key wrestlers who may be here for a 5th year - like a Vollrath.

 

[dicemen99]

Couple of things stick out to me when updating the eligibility/recruiting spreadsheet:

1) I know everyone fixates on the lack of upper weights - especially with Cassar not available this semester (or maybe this entire year) - but we are painfully thin at 25/33 and will continue to be so even after adding Suriano next year. I have high hopes for Giannangeli to develop as a solid backup if he can stay at 133, but we could really stand to add another solid little guy AND get Lee the following year.

2) Not worried about the perceived need for a 285, we are going to have a few guys floating up to 197, Nickal is going to 184 sooner rather than later and who knows may end up there also. 197s are fine as 285 backups. If Hall comes here, it's only going to add to the pressure with guys that will be moving up. Not sure what this means for Mouse - I still think he is the one guy up there that could possibly move down despite El Jefe's adamant objections. I don't know - he just really looked more like a 165 up close at NCAAs. I could be very wrong here and maybe Mouse is the guy at 197.

3) The Lee's fit in nicely weight wise although it is really early for that. But it looks good on paper.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Couple of things stick out to me when updating the eligibility/recruiting spreadsheet:

1) I know everyone fixates on the lack of upper weights - especially with Cassar not available this semester (or maybe this entire year) - but we are painfully thin at 25/33 and will continue to be so even after adding Suriano next year. I have high hopes for Giannangeli to develop as a solid backup if he can stay at 133, but we could really stand to add another solid little guy AND get Lee the following year.

2) Not worried about the perceived need for a 285, we are going to have a few guys floating up to 197, Nickal is going to 184 sooner rather than later and who knows may end up there also. 197s are fine as 285 backups. If Hall comes here, it's only going to add to the pressure with guys that will be moving up. Not sure what this means for Mouse - I still think he is the one guy up there that could possibly move down despite El Jefe's adamant objections. I don't know - he just really looked more like a 165 up close at NCAAs. I could be very wrong here and maybe Mouse is the guy at 197.

3) The Lee's fit in nicely weight wise although it is really early for that. But it looks good on paper.

Dice - classic stuff on HR late in Hall thread about Cael and recruiting. He's such a bad guy for recruiting over Jake Kemerer, isn't he?

I guess they should drop out of the Spencer Lee sweepstakes.

Again, it's only 1 or 2, but I got a chuckle out of it.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Yea, they have Meja and are still going after Lee, they have Stoll and still want Bradley. To their credit, most of them really didn't agreed with the guy who said it.

 

[smalls103]

the Lee brothers are going to be hammers. the kind of kids you give a + to in evaluating the hs performance to college potential.

it also doesn't hurt that spencer is bff's with them

i'm not at all saying this was a 'smart play'. i take nick and joe all day.

and i'm not saying spencer is going to psu. i'm more on the iowa/psu fence for him than i was 6 mo. ago.

but it doesn't hurt.

 

[butchinmi]

I think rather than making up excuses about recruiting, money, etc., we just face the facts and say PSU is recruiting a couple (or more) great classes in a row. Not saying I'm overly upset with Iowa's class(es). Of course would love to land a Hall or Lee and others, but you can't have them all. As much as I want to win every year, I like the sport of wrestling more and if we have to be the chaser instead of the chased sometimes, game on. I'm excited about all the upcoming quality programs. VaTech, Virgina, UNI, and plenty, plenty more. Good for wrestling. (Seriously though, you can let Hall or Lee come our way!)

 

[dicemen99]

the Lee brothers are going to be hammers. the kind of kids you give a + to in evaluating the hs performance to college potential.

it also doesn't hurt that spencer is bff's with them

i'm not at all saying this was a 'smart play'. i take nick and joe all day.

and i'm not saying spencer is going to psu. i'm more on the iowa/psu fence for him than i was 6 mo. ago.

but it doesn't hurt.

Agree 100% on the Lees - I've stated here this pickup is not getting near enough play here. Besides Spencer/Hall, not sure you could do much better right now - maybe Yanni - and the fact that you are getting 2, well..I have a feeling that Joe will be just as highly ranked as Nick shortly.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

the Lee brothers are going to be hammers. the kind of kids you give a + to in evaluating the hs performance to college potential.

it also doesn't hurt that spencer is bff's with them

i'm not at all saying this was a 'smart play'. i take nick and joe all day.

and i'm not saying spencer is going to psu. i'm more on the iowa/psu fence for him than i was 6 mo. ago.

but it doesn't hurt.

What is their connection to Spencer? Camps? Big tourneys?

After the verbals I started searching for their matches and was very impressed. The letter they posted following the commitment was a huge plus, too. I was really impressed with their maturity.

 

[johnstownsteel]

. Of course would love to land a Hall or Lee and others, but you can't have them all.

I really hope you don't think I'm being smart or cocky but what Cael has been doing recruiting wise is simply amazing. I know it's not the case but at times when my brain works without really thinking its like damn, Cael gets them ALL. It's getting to the point that even if we don't land Lee or Hall, it won't be that big a deal to me. It might pinch a little but nothing too bad. And if he does indeed land one of them or more amazingly both, its game over. Cael really does get them all! Lol

 

[lauren68]

All I know is if we get Spencer, in about 3 or 4 years it will be much easier to remember the starting lineup.