Welcome to Penn State, Class of 2014
If you are half as excited for National Signing Day as I am, you probably started counting down the hours until February 5th the minute James Franklin arrived in Happy Valley. T-minus 24 hour and counting until I am sitting in the Bryce Jordan Center for “The Signature Event” to welcome the new Penn State football recruits. Will you be there with me? This is a BIG deal, people! Never before, or at least in my 27 years as a fan, has anything like this happened at Penn State. Here is a little info on a few of your new Penn State family members. Welcome home, class of 2014!
Saeed Blacknall (Wide Receiver)
Blacknall, a 4-star recruit out of New Jersey, is one of Franklin’s newest additions to an already elite recruiting class. The impressive 6’3”, 210lb receiver decommitted from Rutgers and jumped at the opportunity to play for Franklin and Penn State. He turned down offers from huge programs like Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. Allen Robinson’s departure will hurt a little less once Blacknall officially signs on February 5th. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of Hackenberg’s go-to guys this fall, as he is almost guaranteed playing time.
Troy Reeder (Inside Linebacker)
Reeder was an early commit for Penn State, making his pledge last spring. He was on Franklin’s radar while still at Vanderbilt solidifying the relationship betweet Reeder and Penn State after O’Brien’s departure. At 6’2” and 230lbs, it is likely that the 3-star Reeder will see playing time this fall. He is not only fast but also a solid tackler with incredible football instincts.
Marcus Allen (Safety)
Marcus Allen, a 3-star recruit from Maryland, has been part of the Penn State community since verbally committing last May. The 6’2”, 190lb safety is incredibly fast and strong making him a key addition to the Lions squad. Allen turned down offers from Stanford, Michigan State and Nebraska. After Bill O’Brien’s departure in early January, Allen’s words went viral when he said, “I’ve come to realize over the past 48 hours that Penn State isn’t a person. It’s a spirit and an idea. It’s the fans and the players and the coaches and the people who live in State College. The feeling I get when I visit State College isn’t due to one person, but my experience with everyone I have come in contact with. I feel truly blessed and humbled to be mentioned in the same sentence with Penn State Football. Thank you all for accepting me into the PSU family." I have a feeling that Marcus Allen will fit in well at Penn State. WE ARE, where he wants to be.
Mike Gesicki (Tight End)
4-Star, tight end, Mike Gesicki from New Jersey will join Franklin’s loaded offense when he signs February 5th. The 6’5”, 236lb Gesicki is not only an incredible football player, he is an all-around phenomenal athlete. One of the top tight ends in the country, Gesicki will join Adam Breneman as one of Christian Hackenberg’s main guys. Gesicki turned down offers from football powerhouses Ohio State, Florida State and Miami.
Amani Oruwariye (Cornerback)
Another Franklin follower, 3-star Oruwariye switched his commit from Vanderbilt to Penn State in late January. A Florida native, the 6’1”, 180lb cornerback is fast; a welcome addition to the Nittany Lion defense. It is possible that Oruwariye could see playing time as early as this fall.
Koa Farmer (Safety)
Five weeks ago, Penn State was not on Koa Farmer’s radar. Step in James Franklin, the 6’1”, 200lb, 4-star Farmer
switched his commitment from Cal to Penn State. In high school Farmer saw playing time on both sides of the ball. An incredibly fast athlete, Farmer is likely to play safety; however, if he packs on a few more pounds, don’t be surprised if you see him at linebacker. Upholding the tradition of academic and athletic excellence, while at Penn State, Farmer hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in pathology. I can’t help to think that John Urschel smiled a bit when he heard that Farmer switched his commitment to PSU.
Nick Scott (Running Back)
3-Star recruit Nick Scott out of Virginia has been part of the Penn State family for the better part of a year, committing last February to Bill O’Brien. The 5’11”, 188lb Scott is listed as an “athlete” on most recruiting websites; however, he will most likely play running back.
Trace McSorley (Dual-Threat Quarterback)
A Virginia native, 6’0”, 182lb McSorely is a former Vanderbilt recruit that plans to follow James Franklin to Penn State. Since Franklin already has the talents of Christian Hackenberg and Michael O’Connor at Quarterback, McSorley may switch to defense when he becomes a Lion. The 3-star recruit turned down offers from Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
If you haven’t already heard, a WHITE OUT had been declared by James Franklin for tomorrow night’s festivities. The Bryce Jordan Center doors will open at 5pm and the event will start at 6pm. General admission tickets are $5 or FREE with a student ID. I can’t wait to see Nittany Nation fill the BJC to welcome James Franklin and our newest Penn State family members! WE ARE!!!
Saeed Blacknall (Wide Receiver)
Blacknall, a 4-star recruit out of New Jersey, is one of Franklin’s newest additions to an already elite recruiting class. The impressive 6’3”, 210lb receiver decommitted from Rutgers and jumped at the opportunity to play for Franklin and Penn State. He turned down offers from huge programs like Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. Allen Robinson’s departure will hurt a little less once Blacknall officially signs on February 5th. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of Hackenberg’s go-to guys this fall, as he is almost guaranteed playing time.
Troy Reeder (Inside Linebacker)
Reeder was an early commit for Penn State, making his pledge last spring. He was on Franklin’s radar while still at Vanderbilt solidifying the relationship betweet Reeder and Penn State after O’Brien’s departure. At 6’2” and 230lbs, it is likely that the 3-star Reeder will see playing time this fall. He is not only fast but also a solid tackler with incredible football instincts.
Marcus Allen (Safety)Marcus Allen, a 3-star recruit from Maryland, has been part of the Penn State community since verbally committing last May. The 6’2”, 190lb safety is incredibly fast and strong making him a key addition to the Lions squad. Allen turned down offers from Stanford, Michigan State and Nebraska. After Bill O’Brien’s departure in early January, Allen’s words went viral when he said, “I’ve come to realize over the past 48 hours that Penn State isn’t a person. It’s a spirit and an idea. It’s the fans and the players and the coaches and the people who live in State College. The feeling I get when I visit State College isn’t due to one person, but my experience with everyone I have come in contact with. I feel truly blessed and humbled to be mentioned in the same sentence with Penn State Football. Thank you all for accepting me into the PSU family." I have a feeling that Marcus Allen will fit in well at Penn State. WE ARE, where he wants to be.
Mike Gesicki (Tight End)
4-Star, tight end, Mike Gesicki from New Jersey will join Franklin’s loaded offense when he signs February 5th. The 6’5”, 236lb Gesicki is not only an incredible football player, he is an all-around phenomenal athlete. One of the top tight ends in the country, Gesicki will join Adam Breneman as one of Christian Hackenberg’s main guys. Gesicki turned down offers from football powerhouses Ohio State, Florida State and Miami.
Amani Oruwariye (Cornerback)
Another Franklin follower, 3-star Oruwariye switched his commit from Vanderbilt to Penn State in late January. A Florida native, the 6’1”, 180lb cornerback is fast; a welcome addition to the Nittany Lion defense. It is possible that Oruwariye could see playing time as early as this fall.
Koa Farmer (Safety)
Five weeks ago, Penn State was not on Koa Farmer’s radar. Step in James Franklin, the 6’1”, 200lb, 4-star Farmer
switched his commitment from Cal to Penn State. In high school Farmer saw playing time on both sides of the ball. An incredibly fast athlete, Farmer is likely to play safety; however, if he packs on a few more pounds, don’t be surprised if you see him at linebacker. Upholding the tradition of academic and athletic excellence, while at Penn State, Farmer hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in pathology. I can’t help to think that John Urschel smiled a bit when he heard that Farmer switched his commitment to PSU.Nick Scott (Running Back)
3-Star recruit Nick Scott out of Virginia has been part of the Penn State family for the better part of a year, committing last February to Bill O’Brien. The 5’11”, 188lb Scott is listed as an “athlete” on most recruiting websites; however, he will most likely play running back.
Trace McSorley (Dual-Threat Quarterback)
A Virginia native, 6’0”, 182lb McSorely is a former Vanderbilt recruit that plans to follow James Franklin to Penn State. Since Franklin already has the talents of Christian Hackenberg and Michael O’Connor at Quarterback, McSorley may switch to defense when he becomes a Lion. The 3-star recruit turned down offers from Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
If you haven’t already heard, a WHITE OUT had been declared by James Franklin for tomorrow night’s festivities. The Bryce Jordan Center doors will open at 5pm and the event will start at 6pm. General admission tickets are $5 or FREE with a student ID. I can’t wait to see Nittany Nation fill the BJC to welcome James Franklin and our newest Penn State family members! WE ARE!!!
