Update: So we got Brown and Toney!! Not a whole lot of movement on the chart, as I already had Nixon, Hamlin, and Hansford on Commit Watch (more on them in a second). I moved Fuller back up to very good chance, but I really doubt we land him (OSU bound), but he did say he wants to take an official visit here. I think the staff is now recruiting Hudson as a S and we sit well with him, but I am unsure how it will work out for him scholarship wise. I think he is safe unless all 7 of the guys in front of him on this list committed tomorrow, but that’s not going to happen. It seems Niang has eliminated us, not surprising. Nixon may end his recruitment in the next 10-14 days for the good guys (or to the rest of the world the bad guys). Hansford will take more time since he wasn’t ready to pull the trigger this past weekend and has said he wants to see west coast schools. A commitment from Ferns and others could affect him.
By now I’m sure everyone has seen or heard of the infamous #DaPride16 group shot that included all committed prospects at the Bash (minus Menet) and a very uncommitted Damar Hamlin. My take on this is that he has told guys in this class that Penn State is in the lead and is likely to end up there but wants to take time enjoy the process and be sure. Here was his tweet on the issue (he is also now following Tyler Shoop on Twitter). This also could be what Simmons meant when he said this at the Opening (below).
Hamlin, Pryts, and Fuller will all be at OSU’s Friday Night Lights event this weekend. We will see what happens there. Buckeyes insiders have Pryts on commit watch and it wouldn’t surprise me. Scholarship wise I still say the staff sees this as 24-26 rather than 21-23. We would take commitments from Nixon, Hamlin, Ferns, Dioubate, Fuller, and probably Chavis no matter what. Hansford and Hudson are good to go as long as we aren’t already at 24 before they make their decision, which I doubt. We would make room for and will continue to try to recruit, no matter what, Betiku and Gary also, even if we were already at 26. How will we make room for all these guys… I don’t know, but for $4 million a year I’d be glad to give it a shot. A lot will depend on timing.
Lastly, I want to say that I do feel bad for certain kids that either blow up late in the process or are just a tad below the group of guys we are really targeting that love PSU and won’t get an offer. Valentin probably would commit on the spot if he got an offer and I saw many other tweets from kids in 2017 that are ranked say 15 or below in PA next year that are unlikely to ever get offers that said how much they really enjoyed themselves at the Lasch Bash or that they love PSU. A good problem to have and I wish any kid who wishes he could have worn Blue and White a great college career.
Commit Watch:
4* WR Nixon, 4* CB Hamlin, 4/3* OLB Hansford
Very Good Chance:
4* LB Ferns, 4* DL Dioubate, 4* DE Betiku, 4* ATH Fuller, 3* S Hudson, JC DT Chavis
In The Battle:
4* WR Diggs, 4* S Pryts, 4/3* G Valentin, 3* WR Patterson, 3* OT Adams
Work Left To Do:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Smothers, 4* TE Farrell, JC DT Tanielu
Have To Get Really Lucky:
4* OT Williams, 4* OG Davis, 4* TE Upshur, 4* WR Corley, 3* OT Niang, 3* CB Rene, 3* DT Kamara, 3* DT Wheeler
My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
By now I’m sure everyone has seen or heard of the infamous #DaPride16 group shot that included all committed prospects at the Bash (minus Menet) and a very uncommitted Damar Hamlin. My take on this is that he has told guys in this class that Penn State is in the lead and is likely to end up there but wants to take time enjoy the process and be sure. Here was his tweet on the issue (he is also now following Tyler Shoop on Twitter). This also could be what Simmons meant when he said this at the Opening (below).
Hamlin, Pryts, and Fuller will all be at OSU’s Friday Night Lights event this weekend. We will see what happens there. Buckeyes insiders have Pryts on commit watch and it wouldn’t surprise me. Scholarship wise I still say the staff sees this as 24-26 rather than 21-23. We would take commitments from Nixon, Hamlin, Ferns, Dioubate, Fuller, and probably Chavis no matter what. Hansford and Hudson are good to go as long as we aren’t already at 24 before they make their decision, which I doubt. We would make room for and will continue to try to recruit, no matter what, Betiku and Gary also, even if we were already at 26. How will we make room for all these guys… I don’t know, but for $4 million a year I’d be glad to give it a shot. A lot will depend on timing.
Lastly, I want to say that I do feel bad for certain kids that either blow up late in the process or are just a tad below the group of guys we are really targeting that love PSU and won’t get an offer. Valentin probably would commit on the spot if he got an offer and I saw many other tweets from kids in 2017 that are ranked say 15 or below in PA next year that are unlikely to ever get offers that said how much they really enjoyed themselves at the Lasch Bash or that they love PSU. A good problem to have and I wish any kid who wishes he could have worn Blue and White a great college career.
Commit Watch:
4* WR Nixon, 4* CB Hamlin, 4/3* OLB Hansford
Very Good Chance:
4* LB Ferns, 4* DL Dioubate, 4* DE Betiku, 4* ATH Fuller, 3* S Hudson, JC DT Chavis
In The Battle:
4* WR Diggs, 4* S Pryts, 4/3* G Valentin, 3* WR Patterson, 3* OT Adams
Work Left To Do:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Smothers, 4* TE Farrell, JC DT Tanielu
Have To Get Really Lucky:
4* OT Williams, 4* OG Davis, 4* TE Upshur, 4* WR Corley, 3* OT Niang, 3* CB Rene, 3* DT Kamara, 3* DT Wheeler
My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
Last edited:
