PSU Nittany Lions: Kansas State Wildcats
K-State lands junior college teammates
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
11:54
AM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Jake Waters, arguably the top junior college quarterback in the country, has committed to play for Kansas State. He was later joined in the Wildcats' class by teammate Devon Nash, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end.
Waters and Nash become the 13th and 14th members of the Wildcats' 2013 class. Waters joins three-star recruit Jesse Ertz (Mediapolis, Iowa/Mediapolis), becoming the second quarterback of the class. Waters will enroll early and immediately compete for the starting job.
Waters, who told ESPN.com on Monday that he has held the same favorite "for a few weeks," chose Kansas State over Penn State during an announcement this morning on Iowa Western's campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Playing time was a priority for him, and he felt he had the best chance to play early on those two teams.
He made an official visit to Penn State on Nov. 17, and Bill O'Brien paid him and his parents an in-home visit Monday. He met with Kansas State coach Del Miller on Wednesday, after going to an official visit this past weekend.
In 12 games this season, Waters passed for 3,501 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes. He had 39 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
Nash selected the Wildcats over offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Nevada, San Jose State, Texas Tech and Western Michigan. He took visits to Arizona State, K-State and was slated to visit Oklahoma State this weekend, but won't anymore.
Waters and Nash become the 13th and 14th members of the Wildcats' 2013 class. Waters joins three-star recruit Jesse Ertz (Mediapolis, Iowa/Mediapolis), becoming the second quarterback of the class. Waters will enroll early and immediately compete for the starting job.
Waters, who told ESPN.com on Monday that he has held the same favorite "for a few weeks," chose Kansas State over Penn State during an announcement this morning on Iowa Western's campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Playing time was a priority for him, and he felt he had the best chance to play early on those two teams.
He made an official visit to Penn State on Nov. 17, and Bill O'Brien paid him and his parents an in-home visit Monday. He met with Kansas State coach Del Miller on Wednesday, after going to an official visit this past weekend.
In 12 games this season, Waters passed for 3,501 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes. He had 39 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
Nash selected the Wildcats over offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Nevada, San Jose State, Texas Tech and Western Michigan. He took visits to Arizona State, K-State and was slated to visit Oklahoma State this weekend, but won't anymore.
Iowa Western C.C. announcements chat
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
12:00
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Junior-college All-Americans Jake Waters and Devon Nash will announce their college decisions at 11:30 a.m. ET Thursday. Waters, a quarterback, is expected to announce between Penn State and Kansas State. Nash, a defensive end, will pick between K-State and Oklahoma State.
RecruitingNation reporter Mitch Sherman will be at the announcement. Follow his updates and engage with RecruitingNation reporters Josh Moyer and Jeremy Crabtree before and after the decisions below.
RecruitingNation reporter Mitch Sherman will be at the announcement. Follow his updates and engage with RecruitingNation reporters Josh Moyer and Jeremy Crabtree before and after the decisions below.
Jake Waters, Devon Nash set to announce 
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
11:11
PM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
Thursday is decision day at Iowa Western Community College.
With quarterback Jake Waters already set to make his college choice known between Kansas State and Penn State, defensive end Devon Nash said Wednesday night that he would also announce his commitment. K-State and Oklahoma State are finalists for Nash.
Waters threw for 3,501 yards, completing 244 of 333 passes with 39 touchdowns and three interceptions, in helping the Reivers to a 12-0 finish and No. 1 final ranking in the NJCAA poll.
With quarterback Jake Waters already set to make his college choice known between Kansas State and Penn State, defensive end Devon Nash said Wednesday night that he would also announce his commitment. K-State and Oklahoma State are finalists for Nash.
Waters threw for 3,501 yards, completing 244 of 333 passes with 39 touchdowns and three interceptions, in helping the Reivers to a 12-0 finish and No. 1 final ranking in the NJCAA poll.
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Waters talks visit, to announce Thursday
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
10:40
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By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Jake Waters' parents ushered Bill O'Brien inside their home on a frigid Monday, escorting him to the dining-room table where a spread of crackers, brownies and water awaited.
The juco quarterback's starstruck younger brother asked the coach for an autograph, and Waters' parents were eager to pepper the Penn Stater with questions: Could the Iowa Western quarterback start there? What were the academics like? Would he fit in OK since PSU doesn't usually take junior college players?
Waters said he's known "for a few weeks" now whom he's leaning toward. He declined to disclose that favorite -- he said he'll announce his decision Thursday -- but he said this in-home visit and Wednesday's upcoming visit with Kansas State's coaches were more for his parents' benefit.
The juco quarterback's starstruck younger brother asked the coach for an autograph, and Waters' parents were eager to pepper the Penn Stater with questions: Could the Iowa Western quarterback start there? What were the academics like? Would he fit in OK since PSU doesn't usually take junior college players?
Waters said he's known "for a few weeks" now whom he's leaning toward. He declined to disclose that favorite -- he said he'll announce his decision Thursday -- but he said this in-home visit and Wednesday's upcoming visit with Kansas State's coaches were more for his parents' benefit.
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Waters receives special call from Klein
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
9:28
PM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
A postscript to today's report on Iowa Western Community College quarterback Jake Waters:
Waters, while on his visit to Kansas State, received a call Saturday night from K-State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Del Miller minutes after the Heisman Trophy was awarded. Miller, in New York, handed the phone to Collin Klein, who finished third in the Heisman balloting.
“I was really surprised that it was Collin,” Waters said. “He just told me that Kansas State was a great place.”
Waters, while on his visit to Kansas State, received a call Saturday night from K-State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Del Miller minutes after the Heisman Trophy was awarded. Miller, in New York, handed the phone to Collin Klein, who finished third in the Heisman balloting.
“I was really surprised that it was Collin,” Waters said. “He just told me that Kansas State was a great place.”
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Juco QB Jake Waters nears decision
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
7:19
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
One of the top junior college quarterbacks in the country is ready to make a decision.
Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) took his final official visit this past weekend, which went to Kansas State. Now, he will decide between the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
“It’s pretty much K-State and Penn State right now,” the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Waters said.
Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) took his final official visit this past weekend, which went to Kansas State. Now, he will decide between the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
“It’s pretty much K-State and Penn State right now,” the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Waters said.
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Juco DT Combs chooses final official
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
10:22
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Juco defensive tackle Marquel Combs, who claims 50 offers, recently decided where to take his final official visit -- Houston.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound prospect said in a text message Tuesday night that his final visit came down to four schools. He declined to mention those finalists, but Penn State offered him last Wednesday. He'll visit the Cougars on Dec. 14.
Combs (Woodland Hills, Calif./Pierce College) already has spent official visits on Kansas, Ole Miss, Washington State and Kansas State. As a result, the Nittany Lions no longer appear to be in the running.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound prospect said in a text message Tuesday night that his final visit came down to four schools. He declined to mention those finalists, but Penn State offered him last Wednesday. He'll visit the Cougars on Dec. 14.
Combs (Woodland Hills, Calif./Pierce College) already has spent official visits on Kansas, Ole Miss, Washington State and Kansas State. As a result, the Nittany Lions no longer appear to be in the running.
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5 Questions: PSU target QB Jake Waters
November, 9, 2012
11/09/12
11:00
AM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Every week, NittanyNation will pose five questions to a recruit, player, alum or coach about all things Penn State.
This week's subject is junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.), Penn State's top uncommitted quarterback target. He'll take an official visit to Happy Valley on Nov. 17 for the Indiana game.
Waters is widely regarded as the nation's top juco signal-caller. Through 10 games, he's posted up video game-type numbers. He's thrown for 3,001 yards, 37 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He's also completing nearly 75 percent of his passes.
This week's subject is junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.), Penn State's top uncommitted quarterback target. He'll take an official visit to Happy Valley on Nov. 17 for the Indiana game.
Waters is widely regarded as the nation's top juco signal-caller. Through 10 games, he's posted up video game-type numbers. He's thrown for 3,001 yards, 37 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He's also completing nearly 75 percent of his passes.
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Junior college quarterback Jake Waters (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) tried to relax at Tuesday's practice.
He knew Penn State assistant Charlie Fisher was watching from the sideline, and he felt as if this was a tryout. The 6-foot-2 quarterback wanted to impress Penn State, to show he was deserving of an offer, so he consciously attempted not to press and just play his game.
Waters felt afterward he succeeded. And he was rewarded when Fisher approached him following practice and finally extended that offer.
He knew Penn State assistant Charlie Fisher was watching from the sideline, and he felt as if this was a tryout. The 6-foot-2 quarterback wanted to impress Penn State, to show he was deserving of an offer, so he consciously attempted not to press and just play his game.
Waters felt afterward he succeeded. And he was rewarded when Fisher approached him following practice and finally extended that offer.
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ABOUT NITTANY NATION
Josh Moyer
Josh Moyer joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Penn State football for recruiting website Nittany Network and City Hall for The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Moyer graduated from Penn State and earned his graduate degree at Columbia. Email him at espnjoshmoyer@gmail.com.