Update: So this is probably the biggest recruiting weekend of the year for Penn State. First, I’ll hit everyones remaining schedules as they are of the time of writing this (they change that quickly that I need that qualifier) and then I’ll give my take on what it means and who I think we’ll get. All of our commits should be in Happy Valley this weekend, minus Quinn Nordin who instead will visit Baylor and then round out his visits at USC on the 29th. In addition to our commits Hamlin, Fern, Hudson, and White will be here on their official visits this weekend. Doesn’t look like the weather will stop anyone from making it in. Hamlin and Hudson will be in Pitt on the 29th and Ferns will be WVU. White is not scheduled anywhere, but you would have to think that if he doesn’t flip this weekend then he will take his official to WVU. Lavert Hill will be in MSU this weekend and is scheduled to be in Clemson on the 29th but I am skeptical he keeps that visit. Snelson and Darien are both scheduled to visit for the 29th now, which is awkward because I doubt PSU would take a commitment from both and Snelson is definitely a higher take than Darien, so we’ll see how that plays out. Dioubate will visit MSU this weekend also and then as soon as that visit is over he will head to USCe to visit there Sunday through Tuesday. Next weekend Dioubate has an all star game and can’t visit anywhere, although don’t be surprised if he takes a visit on the 30th or 1st or even as soon as he gets back from USCe, where to? Well it could be a really good spot of a really bad one, PSU or OSU. Barbir is scheduled to official in Rutgers this weekend and had scheduled a trip to Louisville for the 29th but it looks like that will be canceled for him to visit PSU. Watts will be in Pitt this weekend and doesn’t have a visit scheduled for the 29th yet, but I think it will be to Miami. Fuller will be taking an OV to Michigan this weekend and has no plans on the 29th. Hansford will be in Texas A&M and will now be out of OVs. In the land of unicorns, rainbows, and sugar plums (if you can’t tell from my sarcasm, let be clear there is no chance of us getting him, but I will include it anyway), Gary will be taking an unofficial to Michigan this weekend and currently has no plans for the 29th.
Let me start my analysis by just eliminating a few people; Hansford and Fuller continue to keep us in their top whatever number they have of schools, but it is just so there are enough hats on the table when they choose not bc we have any chance. Nixon eliminated us and I think what happened there was Franklin bought low and the stock appreciated way beyond what anyone thought and grew to the point where enough southern schools were interested that we didn’t really have a shot anymore. I’m not sure Watts is that interested or that we will actually go after Shelton unless we lose another DT. Our DT targets in 2017 are really really good and are very interested in us, we could add a 2017 DT commit in February. The situation at that position isn’t as bad as some are making it out to be. Nordin is so out. Just look at Simmons tweets from last night:
Now on to the good stuff I think the best chance of a commitment this weekend is White flipping. Ferns would be second on my list, but it is likely that Him, Hamlin (Feb 1st on KDKA), Hudson, and Hill all will decide on signing day. I think we will ultimately prevail in each case, which would just be HUUUGE (in my best Jimmy Fallon impersonating Donald Trump voice). While Hamlin likes OSU and Hudson Michigan, I just don’t see it, and I never thought either would go to Pitt so I think Miles, JoeMo, and Limegrover will really help lock them up. Hamlin announcing on KDKA means nothing to me and I still think he ends up going to Penn State. I don’t think Hill wants to stay in Michigan and his mother had said she wants him to go his own route and I think the reason for the decommit was bc of local pressure which when it comes down to it, it’s his decision and he’ll make the one he wants to, which was Penn State once already. We are getting a lot of Crystal Balls for Snelson and I agree. He will be a really great get and reminds me a lot of Godwin, who might be playing his last season of Penn State football this year before deciding to play on Sundays. Like I said before, I think the Snelson situation makes the Darien situation very uncomfortable bc they have to know we are only taking one WR. I think we flip Babir, because Rutgers. The most interesting person is Dioubate. I don’t think he’s leaving the state, so it’ll end up being either PSU or Temple. I really hope Franklin can find a way to get him back on campus or another visit down to Philly bc I feel there is still a solid chance there.
Overall, I think 6 more commits, 7 with Babir replacing Nordin, and 8 if we can get Dioubate back. That is a class of 24 or 25 that should be ranked anywhere from 8-11.
Flip Potential: 4* S JUCO White (WVU), 4* WR Snelson (MINN), 3* K Barbir (Rutgers), 3* DT Shelton (ILL), 3* WR Darien (Temple)
Commit Watch:
4* CB Hamlin, 4* LB Ferns, 4/3* S Hudson
Very Good Chance:
4* CB Hill
In The Battle:
4* DT Dioubate, 3* DT Watts
Work Left To Do:
4* OLB Hansford, 4* ATH Fuller
Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Nixon
Former Interest:
JC DT Chavis, 4* OT Williams, 3* OT Niang
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), and Former Interest(players that Penn State was previously interested in that most likely no longer have committable offers).
Let me start my analysis by just eliminating a few people; Hansford and Fuller continue to keep us in their top whatever number they have of schools, but it is just so there are enough hats on the table when they choose not bc we have any chance. Nixon eliminated us and I think what happened there was Franklin bought low and the stock appreciated way beyond what anyone thought and grew to the point where enough southern schools were interested that we didn’t really have a shot anymore. I’m not sure Watts is that interested or that we will actually go after Shelton unless we lose another DT. Our DT targets in 2017 are really really good and are very interested in us, we could add a 2017 DT commit in February. The situation at that position isn’t as bad as some are making it out to be. Nordin is so out. Just look at Simmons tweets from last night:
Now on to the good stuff I think the best chance of a commitment this weekend is White flipping. Ferns would be second on my list, but it is likely that Him, Hamlin (Feb 1st on KDKA), Hudson, and Hill all will decide on signing day. I think we will ultimately prevail in each case, which would just be HUUUGE (in my best Jimmy Fallon impersonating Donald Trump voice). While Hamlin likes OSU and Hudson Michigan, I just don’t see it, and I never thought either would go to Pitt so I think Miles, JoeMo, and Limegrover will really help lock them up. Hamlin announcing on KDKA means nothing to me and I still think he ends up going to Penn State. I don’t think Hill wants to stay in Michigan and his mother had said she wants him to go his own route and I think the reason for the decommit was bc of local pressure which when it comes down to it, it’s his decision and he’ll make the one he wants to, which was Penn State once already. We are getting a lot of Crystal Balls for Snelson and I agree. He will be a really great get and reminds me a lot of Godwin, who might be playing his last season of Penn State football this year before deciding to play on Sundays. Like I said before, I think the Snelson situation makes the Darien situation very uncomfortable bc they have to know we are only taking one WR. I think we flip Babir, because Rutgers. The most interesting person is Dioubate. I don’t think he’s leaving the state, so it’ll end up being either PSU or Temple. I really hope Franklin can find a way to get him back on campus or another visit down to Philly bc I feel there is still a solid chance there.
Overall, I think 6 more commits, 7 with Babir replacing Nordin, and 8 if we can get Dioubate back. That is a class of 24 or 25 that should be ranked anywhere from 8-11.
Flip Potential: 4* S JUCO White (WVU), 4* WR Snelson (MINN), 3* K Barbir (Rutgers), 3* DT Shelton (ILL), 3* WR Darien (Temple)
Commit Watch:
4* CB Hamlin, 4* LB Ferns, 4/3* S Hudson
Very Good Chance:
4* CB Hill
In The Battle:
4* DT Dioubate, 3* DT Watts
Work Left To Do:
4* OLB Hansford, 4* ATH Fuller
Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Nixon
Former Interest:
JC DT Chavis, 4* OT Williams, 3* OT Niang
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), and Former Interest(players that Penn State was previously interested in that most likely no longer have committable offers).
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