Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Alex Barbir
★★★
Position: Kicker
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High school: South Forsyth
Nation: #7 K | #1,579 overall
State: #1 K | #140 overall
Lead recruiter: Charles Huff
Chose PSU over: Rutgers, Louisville, Illinois
The skinny: Penn State’s first scholarship kicker since Sam Ficken signed on in 2011 didn’t have an offer from the Lions until just before signing day. That’s because they had another kicker — No. 1 rated Quinn Nordin — committed since the summer. But with Nordin holding out for a full offer from Michigan, the Lions moved on to the Georgia native who famously hit a 71-yard field goal at a kicking camp in a non-game situation.
•
Cameron Brown
★★★★
Position: Linebacker
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 210 pounds
Hometown: Burtonsville, Md.
High school: Bullis
Nation: #22 OLB | #316 overall
State: #2 LB | #10 overall
Lead recruiter: Charles Huff
Chose PSU over: Notre Dame, North Carolina, USC
The skinny: Semper Fidelis All-American. His big frame allows for some flexibility to move up to defensive end if needed, making him one of Penn State’s most intriguing signings. The Lions like his athleticism, which allows him to cover tight ends in space as well as rush the passer. Has shown a knack for being around the ball, catching four touchdowns as a senior, as well as coming up with a handful of interceptions.
•
Tyrell Chavis
★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 315 pounds
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
High school: Varina
Junior college: Nassau C.C. (N.Y.)
JUCO rank: #3 DT | #23 overall
Lead recruiter: Sean Spencer
Chose PSU over: Marshall, Auburn, West Virginia
The skinny: Has two years of eligibility remaining after redshirting at Virginia in 2013 and playing the last two seasons in the JUCO ranks at Nassau. Originally signed with the Cavaliers in 2012 but did not qualify academically and played with Christian Hackenberg at Fork Union that fall. Has a chance to work his way into Penn State’s rotation immediately as the Lions must replace three of their top four tackles from last season.
•
Danny Dalton
★★★
Position: Tight end
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 237 pounds
Hometown: Marshfield, Mass.
High school: Marshfield
Nation: #21 TE | #505 overall
State: #1 TE | #1 overall
Lead recruiter: John Donovan
Chose PSU over: Boston College, Alabama, Nebraska, North Carolina
The skinny: Enrolled at Penn State in January. Semper Fidelis All-American. Originally committed to Boston College before getting national offers and reopening his recruitment. Rated Massachusetts’ top prospect by all major recruiting services after finishing his high school career with 135 catches for 2,002 yards and 23 touchdowns. Helped Marshfield to a state championship as a junior and a section title in 2015.
•
Dae’lun Darien
★★★
Position: Wide receiver
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High school: Dunbar
Nation: #201 WR | #1,383 overall
State: #7 WR | #33 overall
Lead recruiter: Josh Gattis
Chose PSU over: Temple, UConn, Old Dominon
The skinny: Originally committed to Temple before taking an official visit to Penn State this past weekend and flipping to the Lions on Monday morning. First-team all-state small school selection as a senior, hauling in 50 catches for 700 yards and eight touchdowns for perennial state title contender Dunbar. Considerable size means he could end up at a few different positions — even on defense — if receiver doesn’t work out.
•
Will Fries
★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-7, 285 pounds
Hometown: Cranford, N.J.
High school: Cranford
Nation: #41 OT | #438 overall
State: #2 OT | #11 overall
Lead recruiter: Ricky Rahne
Chose PSU over: Michigan, Rutgers, Clemson, South Carolina
The skinny: Semper Fidelis All-American. Mauling tackle helped lead Cranford to a undefeated season and a New Jersey group championship as a senior. Well at home as a run blocker, as Cranford grinded its way to nearly 3,000 yards rushing as a team in 2015. Rutgers in particular made a late push for his signature under new head coach Chris Ash, but the hiring of Matt Limegrover as new offensive line coach kept him with Penn State.
•
Alex Gellerstedt
★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-7, 275 pounds
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
High school: Dublin Coffman
Nation: #61 OT | #726 overall
State: #4 OT | #28 overall
Lead recruiter: Herb Hand
Chose PSU over: North Carolina, Wisconsin, Duke, Pitt
The skinny: Enrolled at Penn State in January. First team all-state selection in Ohio’s top division as a senior and won a conference title as a junior. Fits the mold of what James Franklin’s staff is looking for in a tackle — tall, lean and athletic. Grew up just outside of Columbus but did not have an offer from the hometown Buckeyes. Was a first-team all-metro selection as a senior after not allowing a sack for the entire season.
•
Blake Gillikin
★★★
Position: Punter
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-1, 180 pounds
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High school: Westminster
Nation: #2 P | #869 overall
State: #1 P | #80 overall
Lead recruiter: Charles Huff
Chose PSU over: Georgia, Northwestern, Vanderbilt
The skinny: Perhaps no position at Penn State suffered more from the sanctions than punter, which has been a glaring weakness since Anthony Fera transferred three-and-a-half years ago. Offering a chance to compete for a starting job right away, the Lions were able to lure one of the country’s top punters away from home state Georgia. Averaged better than 45 yards on his punts as a senior and also saw heavy use on field goals.
•
T.J. Johnson
★★★
Position: Defensive back
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
High school: Euclid
Nation: #137 CB | #1,451 overall
State: #6 CB | #66 overall
Lead recruiter: Terry Smith
Chose PSU over: Cincinnati, Kentucky, Illinois
The skinny: This late addition to the class came out to Penn State last weekend for an official visit but did not have a scholarship offer from the coaches at the time. That changed on Tuesday after the Lions saw some of their top targets in the secondary such as Damar Hamlin head elsewhere, opening up a spot for the tall corner from Cleveland. Previously recruited by new safeties coach Tim Banks when he was still at Illinois.
•
Ellison Jordan
★★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot, 270 pounds
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High school: Gilman
Nation: #19 DT | #181 overall
State: #1 DT | #6 overall
Lead recruiter: Sean Spencer
Chose PSU over: Virginia Tech, Maryland, South Carolina
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Broke the career sack record at a prestigious Gilman program, finishing with 52 following a senior season that saw him finish with 17 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a safety. Short stature and outgoing demeanor is strongly reminiscent of former Lions standout Anthony Adams. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with a motor that grinds down opposing blockers.
•
Daniel Joseph
★★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
High school: Lake Forest (Ill.)
Nation: #12 SDE | #260 overall
State: #2 DE | #3 overall
Lead recruiter: Ricky Rahne
Chose PSU over: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska
The skinny: A fairly quiet recruitment led to a summer commitment from one of the Midwest’s most versatile defenders. Did a little bit of everything at Lake Forest, playing some middle linebacker as well as defensive line and tight end on offense. An Ontario native who attended the Chicagoland boarding school, his brother is currently a defensive tackle at Iowa. Stuck with Penn State despite a late push from the Michigan schools.
•
Connor McGovern
★★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 312 pounds
Hometown: Larksville
High school: Lake-Lehman
Nation: #3 C | #270 overall
State: #1 C | #7 overall
Lead recruiter: Ricky Rahne
Chose PSU over: North Carolina, Duke
The skinny: Enrolled at Penn State in January. U.S. Army All-American. At the center of Lake-Lehman’s vaunted run game, he saw his national profile suddenly explode during his junior season but was eager to get the process over with and picked Penn State in March. Known for his ability to finish blocks, Lions coaches have told him he has a chance to see the field as a freshman because of his impressive size and work ethic.
•
Zech McPhearson
★★★★
Position: Defensive back
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
Hometown: Up. Marlboro, Md.
High school: Riverdale Baptist
Nation: #32 CB | #317 overall
State: #1 CB | #11 overall
Lead recruiter: Charles Huff
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Alabama, Ohio State
The skinny: Semper Fidelis All-American. Penn State got some help in his recruitment when his older brother, Josh, joined the team as a walk-on wide receiver last year. Maryland’s top-rated cornerback came up with four interceptions as a senior and starred as an all-around threat on offense and as a return man, topping 1,000 all-purpose yards and adding a few kickoff returns for touchdowns for good measure.
•
Michal Menet
★★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 273 pounds
Hometown: Reading
High school: Exeter Township
Nation: #1 G | #28 overall
State: #1 G | #2 overall
Lead recruiter: Herb Hand
Chose PSU over: Duke, Stanford, Michigan State, Ohio State
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Five-star prospect per 247Sports and Scout. Lauded for his athleticism, and for good reason. Few linemen could line up at tight end, make a catch on a crossing route and beat a defensive back to the corner for a touchdown. The nation’s top-rated interior lineman also has the frame to play tackle if needed. Had been the state’s prospect before being nudged by new teammate Miles Sanders at the end.
•
Miles Sanders
★★★★★
Position: Running back
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-11, 199 pounds
Hometown: Pittsburgh
High school: Woodland Hills
Nation: #1 RB | #20 overall
State: #1 RB | #1 overall
Lead recruiter: Terry Smith
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Pitt, Alabama, Florida State
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Five-star prospect per Scout. Penn State’s very first commitment in the class (July 2014) proved to be one of the hardest to hold onto. As his profile shot up as one of the country’s very best players, other schools aggressively pursued him. Checks in as the Lions’ highest-rated recruit since Christian Hackenberg after racking up 4,573 yards and 59 total touchdowns at Woody High.
•
Antonio Shelton
★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 255 pounds
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High school: Westerville North
Nation: #83 DT | #1,401 overall
State: #3 DT | #63 overall
Lead recruiter: Terry Smith
Chose PSU over: Illinois, Rutgers, Iowa State
The skinny: Originally committed to Illinois. Penn State had two defensive tackles decommit after the season ended, leading the Lions to expand their board. Was a second-team all-state selection, picking up a handful of scholarship offers from power-five schools after the season as a result. New safeties coach Tim Banks had a key relationship here, having been the Illini’s co-defensive coordinator until leaving in December.
•
Shane Simmons
★★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 221 pounds
Hometown: Hyattsville, Md.
High school: DeMatha Catholic
Nation: #4 WDE | #41 overall
State: #1 DE | #1 overall
Lead recruiter: Charles Huff
Chose PSU over: Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State, Maryland
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Five-star prospect per 247Sports. Maryland’s top player was also arguably Penn State’s top recruiter for the class from the day he committed 18 months ago. Showcased his speed off the edge as a senior, recording 82 tackles (23 for loss), 16 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to a third straight league championship. Has a spark similar to family friend and Lions great LaVar Arrington.
•
Brenon Thrift
★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 270 pounds
Hometown: Monroeville
High school: Gateway
Junior college: Lackawanna
JUCO rank: #31 DT | #278 overall
Lead recruiter: Ricky Rahne
Chose PSU over: Idaho, UCF, Akron
The skinny: For the second straight year, Penn State reaches out to Lackawanna College. In 2015 it was Paris Palmer on the offensive line and in 2016 — right on signing day — it was a defensive lineman who had originally signed with Temple two years ago. This one was a bigger surprise. The tie-in is cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, who coached him in high school near Pittsburgh. Has three years of eligibility remaining.
•
Shaka Toney
★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Hometown: Philadelphia
High school: Imhotep Charter
Nation: #62 WDE | #851 overall
State: #1 DE | #20 overall
Lead recruiter: Josh Gattis
Chose PSU over: Pitt, Duke, North Carolina
The skinny: Played defensive end on Imhotep’s Class 3A state title team, but Penn State originally liked him at linebacker before listing him up front after a tight recruiting battle with Pitt at the end of the process. A first-team all-state selection as a pass rusher, his speed was his biggest asset in helping his school become the first Philly Public League team to win a state football championship.
•
Jake Zembiec
★★★
Position: Quarterback
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 211 pounds
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High school: Aquinas
Nation: #18 QB | #445 overall
State: #1 QB | #1 overall
Lead recruiter: Ricky Rahne
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa, Boston College
The skinny: Enrolled at Penn State in January. Finalist at prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp. New York’s top prospect overcame a wrist injury that derailed his junior season to post 3,030 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior, leading Aquinas to a state championship in both 2013 and 2015. Was named New York’s player of the year in both of those seasons. Selected to play in two national all-star games as a senior.