The One(s) Who Got Away...

Every recruiting season there are a couple top-prospects that spurn Penn State and commit to some other program. Sometimes it is not surprising, while other times are heartbreaking. In years past some of those names included: Terrelle Pryor (Ohio St.); Deon Walker (Notre Dame); Broderick Green (USC); LeSean McCoy (Pitt); Vidal Hazelton (USC); Chad Henne (Mich.); Kevin Jones (Vir. Tech); and Dan Kendra (Florida St.)--just to name a few. Sometimes these players became stars, while others never had much success.

This year is no exception. With a very successful recruiting season in the books, and an exciting 2009 season ahead of us on the field, it's time to take one final look at "the one that got away."

1. Jelani Jenkins (Florida; Linebacker)--Jenkins is really the only one I care about. Even though linebacker was not a major "need" in this class, Jenkins was one of Penn State's top-three targets this year. He would have been an upgrade at the linebacker position, and that is really saying something with the likes of Lee and Bowman lining up at "Linebacker U."
   
2. Tate Forcier (Michigan; Quarterback)--Frankly, my first choice (and Penn State's first choice, I think) was Kevin Newsome, and we got him. Still, with the lose of Devlin, there's nothing wrong with getting two blue chip quarterbacks. However, neither Forcier and Newsome were going to go to the same school, so I think we ended up on the good side with this one.
   
3. Antone Exum (Virginia Tech; Athlete)--Losing Exum hurts, but not very much. Losing Justin Brown would've hurt more. Exum would have likely come in and played wide receiver right away--and maybe he would have had a shot at quarterback too. In the end, however, Penn State filled this open spot with Shawney Kersey, a trade-off that I am fine with.
   
4. Sam Longo (Ohio State; Offensive Line)--This is one of the few non-surprises. Penn State was high on Longo's list... and then Ohio State woke up and offered this Ohio native a scholarship. As soon as that happened, Penn State didn't have a chance.
   
5. Anthony Lolata (Michigan; Offensive Line)--Lolata looked like he was interested in Penn State, but Michigan offered him as a defensive lineman, which Lolata preferred over offensive tackle.
   
6. Dorian Bell & Corey Brown (Ohio State; Linebacker, Cornerback)--Both Bell and Brown committed to Ohio State last summer, very early in the process. However, until that point, both of these Pennsylvania standouts were high on Penn State's wish list. Both attended Gateway High School in Pittsburgh (Justin King's HS) and played for former Penn State standout Terry Smith--thus, why many Nittany Lion fans had hope early in the process.
   
7. Travis Hawkins (Maryland; Cornerback)--Finally, Hawkins and teammate Jason Ankrah (Nebraska; Def. Line) may or may not deserve to be on this list. Both Hawkins and Ankrah attend Quince Orchard High School in Maryland, where current Penn State linebacker Bani Gbadyu went to high school. However, internet rumors and unsubstantiated reports suggested that Penn State began to back-off each of these prospects for grades, character issues, or both. Either way, landing Hawkins (or Ankrah for that matter) would have been an upgrade at either position.

With that said, the only two that I regret not getting are Jenkins and Exum. Both are high character guys that would have been great for the locker room AND the field. However, it's time to move on. Penn State signed 27 great players and the future is bright in Happy Valley. It is now clear, only 4 years removed from the darkest days in Penn State football history, that this team will not be headed in that direction any time in the near future. Keep recruiting like they are currently and we can expect more Rose Bowl trips in the years to come.

Lions Look To Wrap-Up Recruiting Today

One of the top recruiting classes in Penn State's recent history is set to end the 2009 recruiting seasons by signing letters of intent today. Even if the Lions don't land any of their three remaining prospects, this should go down as one of the great Penn State classes. While there is some disagreement over how good this class will be (Scout ranking: #10 ; Rivals ranking: #25), there is no doubt that the 2009 class was successful in several key ways.

1. This class was one of the great examples of Penn State recruiting for "need." They needed depth and talent at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive backs. Penn State responded with a top-10 quarterback, at least 6 players that could play wide receiver in college, 7 offensive linemen (4 tackles, 2 guards, and a center), and 9 players who could play either cornerback or safety.
2. This class was also very opportunistic with several "under-the-radar" recruits from non-obvious areas of the country. Curtis Dukes (RB), John Urschel (OL/DL), just to name two, were prospects from upstate New York and who did not receive much attention from national recruiting services until Penn State (and others) became actively recruiting these players.
3. Finally, while there has been some internet criticism over Penn State's failure to land the top talent in Pennsylvania, the Lions branched out and grabbed some of the top prospects in Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, (and maybe Delaware). Moreover, it is often over-looked that the "top talent" in PA may be 1) overrated, 2) not a "need" position player, and/or 3) a lower priority than some prospects in other adjacent states.

No matter what happens today--whether Jenkins, Brown, and Noel pick Penn State--this class is/was a successful recruiting class and Penn State fans should be excited for the future. Not to mention, Penn State already has landed its two top recruits for the 2010 Class. The future is bright.

Jamelle Cornley Is Bad-Mother-Shut-Your-Mouth (Literally)

Jamelle Cornley has now received two technical fouls in the last two games. Common thread? Answer: Official Ed Hightower. Ask anyone intimately familiar with men's college basketball what they think of Ed Hightower and his officiating and the responses might go something like this:

• Inconsistent;
  
• Pompous;
• Arrogant;
• Self-Righteous; and/or
  
• Begrudging.

As my office-mate put it: "Yea, he's an interesting one . . . ."

For those readers who don't know who I'm talking about, here is just the latest example of Hightower's ridiculous on-court antics. On last Saturday the 24th, Cornley led Penn State to an incredible second half comeback to beat Iowa in Happy Valley; no thanks to Hightower. According to the Associated Press and BSD, Cornley was given a technical foul after a brief verbal exchange with the official.

Hightower told Cornley to "tuck in your shirt." Cornley responded with an undisclosed comment. Hightower responded, "just watch it." Cornley's response? "Yes sir, I'm going to make sure that I continue to do my job and you do yours . . . ." [Hightower motions to the scorer's table that he has just called a technical foul on Cornley].

(Editorial Note: When I first read Jamelle's response, I nearly wet myself laughing. It was the perfect response, except to an official on the basketball court.)

After the Iowa game, when asked by a reporter what he said to get the technical, Cornley responded with the above story. Nothing derogatory. Nothing degrading. And nothing negative about Hightower at all.

Fast forward eight days and Penn State is in the midst of a stunning four point win over Michigan State in East Lansing. Hightower is again officiating and Cornley is in the game. Cornley receives a pass in the post, dunks the ball, and silently runs back to play defense. [Whistle Blows].

Hightower had just given Cornley his second technical in two games. And why? Nobody knows. Maybe Hightower was still holding a grudge and was looking for any possible reason to T-up Jamelle again, as if to say, "just remember who has all of the power in this relationship." Or maybe Jamelle looked [read: glared] at Hightower the wrong way and Cornley's comments from the Iowa game were still resonating in Hightower's ears. I don't know and I'm sure we'll never know.

However, now coming down the home stretch of the Big Ten race and a possible NCAA bid, Jamelle must be careful around Hightower if, and when, he officiates another Penn State game. This will surely be difficult for a guy who is as emotional as Jamelle, but Penn State cannot afford another technical foul in a close Big Ten game at home or on the road.

With that aside, I have to say that personally, Jamelle is my new hero. He said to Ed Hightower what a lot of coaches and players have wanted to say for a long time. For that matter, he said what many of us would like to say to our co-workers and bosses, but don't for fear of the real-world repercussions.

Jamelle said it; and I love it. He's a bad-mother-shut-your-mouth . . . .

The Men's Basketball Team Should Get Their Dance Cards Ready

I hate to jinx it . . . but after Penn State's huge upset of #9 Michigan State in East Lansing, the Men's Basketball Team is in a prime position to make and NCAA Tournament-run.

Basic Stats:

• 17-5 Overall; 6-3 Big Ten (Tied-3rd).
  
• RPI = #67, and quickly climbing (rank calculated before beating Michigan St.).
  
• 4-Game Conference Winning Streak.
• Wins over #9 Michigan State (road); #17 Purdue (home).
• Talor Battle leads the Big Ten in both points (18.5 ppg) and assists (5.4 apg).
• Penn State is 2nd in the Big Ten in 3-Point Shooting (39%).

In short, this team is really playing well.

While I would love to say that Talor Battle is the reason, that's not completely true. Sure, Battle is Penn State's best player and arguably the Big Ten's best point guard and league MVP. Certainly if Penn State finishes in the top 5 of the Big Ten and makes the NCAA tournament, Battle will get a lot of the credit. (And, personally, Battle is easily my favorite player to watch since Joe Crispin graduated in 2001). In truth, the credit needs to be spread-out, rather than concentrated on one player.

1. First, and foremost, is Head Coach Ed Dechellis. Prior to this season, Coach Dechellis was solidly on the coaching hot seat. After five average seasons and one NIT appearance, it was put-up or shut-up for Coach D's squad... and put-up they have. While the jury is still out on how good this team can be, or whether Coach Dechellis can take Penn State to the "next level," he deserves much of the credit for this team's success. This is finally his team, his players, his style. So far, things are looking up and Dechellis likely save his job for another couple of years.
   
2. Jamelle Cornley: Other than Talor Battle, Jamelle has been the most consistent performer on this team. He's not only the most dangerous post player on the team, but he is also the team's vocal and emotional leader. Most importantly, Jamelle always seems to step up and carry the team when Battle and Stanely Pringle are struggling shooting the ball. Without his play against Michigan and Iowa, this team might have been 2-2 in its last 4 games, rather than 4-0.
   
3. Stanley Pringle: Battle's backcourt running mate is the third of the three-pronged offensive attack. Pringle is a streaky three point shooter, but when he's hot Penn State is tough to beat. More importantly, he and Battle look like they have been playing together for years. They always seem to find each other on offense and both are tremendous on-the-ball defenders. Some nights it's Pringle, some nights it's Battle; but either way, teams can't stop them both.
   
4. Finally, some credit for this culture change must go to Geary Claxton who started to bring this team back, but graduated before he could finish the job. Claxton was on his way to becoming one of the best players in Penn State history when he blew out his knee last winter. Moreover, he was well on his way to becoming the first Nittany Lion to get drafted in the NBA since Calvin Booth in 1996-97. Thus, Claxton must be given some credit the culture change and this year's success.
   

If Penn State ends its 7-year NCAA slump this year, the credit must be shared. Talor Battle is a great individual player; but above all else, the Sophomore Co-Captain understands that this is a "team game" and that Penn State wins and loses as such.

Signing Day Predictions

Signing Day is quickly approaching and Penn State is nearly done assembling its Class of 2009. The most recent commitments are both exciting and surprising.

• First, Shawney Kersey (WR) and John Urschel (OL/DL) both committed on their official visits to Happy Valley. Urschel was expected to commit, as PSU was the first major BCS program to discover him in Upstate New York. Kersey, however, was the third PSU commit to switch his commitment from Rutgers to Penn State. Kersey is very close with early enrollee Gerald Hodges (SS) and will bring his long, lean, and athletic build to the PSU wide receiving corps this Fall.
• Next, 2010 prospect Paul (P.J.) Jones (QB) also committed a year early to be a Nittany Lion. Like PA linebacker Mike Hull who committed a couple months ago, Jones was Penn State's number one target on Offense for 2010.
  
• Finally, Maryland product Mike Wallace (CB) committed to the Nitts. Wallace is a good friend of Jelani Jenkins, Penn State's top remaining target. Wallace is also a grey-shirt candidate if the 2009 class is too full.
  

Left on the Recruiting Board for 2009:

1. Jelani Jenkins (LB): My gut feeling is the Jenkins will pick Penn State on signing day; but if I were a betting man, I would put my money on Florida. (Penn State's Chances: 49%)
2. Justin Brown (WR): Just the opposite of my feeling of Jenkins, my gut says that Brown will choose Rutgers based on his relationship with Rutgers commit Tom Savage (QB). However, the smart money is still on Brown to PSU since we've been his "top choice" for over 8 months. (Penn State's Chances: 66%).
3. Jim Noel (CB): Noel, currently committed to play at Boston College, visited Penn State this weekend after weeks of speculation that he was "soft" on his commitment to BC. While I'm not sure how much room we still have in this class, we certainly have room at cornerback and several players are grey-shirt candidates if we need space. A commitment from Noel would also solidify that Curtis Drake and Derrick Thomas will begin their careers at wide receiver. That said, Penn State got in late with Noel and they'll need to have impressed him on his visit to affect any change. EDIT: Penn State impressed Noel on his official visit and it's now a two team race. (Penn State's Chances: 50%).

That's it. There are not many signing day surprises this year. But what we lack in quantity will be made up for in quality. Both Jenkins and Brown, if they commit to PSU, will see playing time as True Freshmen; and both will be penciled in as starters as Sophomores.

Either way, this year's class (which will be reviewed in full following Wednesday's National Signing Day) looks to be one of the best overall classes Paterno & Co. have put together since before "the dark ages" of Penn State Football.