Recruiting Is Heating Up And Winding Down

A month since we last visited Penn State's 2009 recruiting needs, several big developments have occurred.

First and foremost, Kevin Newsome stepped-up and committed to Penn State just days after Pat Devlin announced he was transferring. With Newsome enrolling early in January, every indication points to Newsome as Penn State's second string QB for the 2009 season. Over the weekend, Newsome competed in the Army All-American Game in San Antonio. All reports from practice and the game indicate that Newsome showed a strong arm, nice touch on longer throws, and an athletic ability that closely resembles Michael Robinson, more than Daryll Clark.

Almost as important as Newsome was to solidifying the QB position, strong safety Gerald Hodges (who has been compared by some to Florida State safety Myron Rolle) also reversed ground and committed to Penn State after spending his Senior season as a Rutgers commitment. At 6'3" 215 lbs, Hodges could also step into Mark Rubin's vacant safety spot as a true freshman if he is able to grasp the scheme in time for the Big Ten schedule.

Finally, DT Jordan Hill, also a former Rutgers commit, verballed to Penn State on Monday January 5, 2009. In high school, Hill played DE at 6'3" 290 lbs and ran a 4.7 40-yard dash. With that type of size and athleticism, Defensive Line coach Larry Johnson, Sr. should be able to find a spot for Hill when starters Odrick, Koroma, and Ogbu graduate and move on to play on Sundays.

The Nittany Lions verbal commitment total is currently at 23. Expect at least 2 more recruits to commit before signing day, and as many as 4-5 more if certain defensive players declare for the NFL draft (read: Maybin, Evans, Odrick, or Bowman). Note: the last day to declare for the draft is January 15, leaving Penn State at least 3 weeks to fill those holes before signing day.

Here is a brief list of the top targets/candidates to fill those voids:

1. Jelani Jenkins (OLB)--Top defensive player in the country; looks like another Florida v. Penn State battle for his services (see King, Williams, etc.)
   
2. Justin Brown (WR)--Big receiver who recently cut Boston College from his list of schools; he's the top offensive target left on the board.
   
3. Je'Ron Stokes (WR)--Army All-American and Tennessee commit is looking around at other schools. This Philly native could end up at Penn State before it's over.
   
4. Shawney Kersey (WR)--Tall, slender receiver who is close with Gerald Hodges and might take another look at Penn State after committing to Rutgers in the fall.
   
5. John Urschel (OG)--Under-the-radar upstate New York sleeper who has received an offer from Penn State, among other top programs, late in the year.
6. Tariq Tongue (WR)--Undersized receiver who would likely be a preferred walk-on; has the potential to be another in a long line of quality walk-ons. (Think Jordan Norwood.)
   
7. Andrew Shoop (QB)--PA QB could also be a preferred walk-on and add some needed practice squad depth at the QB position.

I have also heard rumors that several players, who are currently committed to other teams, would reconsider Penn State if guys like Maybin and Evans declared for the NFL draft next week.

Inevitably there will be drama. With everything that could happen over the next 4 weeks, college football recruiting is just heating up, even if the we can see the finish line from here.