PSU Nittany Lions

A Watch List receiver has a new top five, and only one program from his original five finalists still finds itself among the favorite.

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Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon) was wandering the halls when his high school coach told him he had a phone call to make and to head to the athletics office. Ohio State wanted to get in touch with him.

The 6-foot-6, 295-pound two-way lineman was a little surprised. Not that the Buckeyes were interested but that his coach Mike Melnyk, a former Michigan placekicker, was telling him about it.

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Every week, NittanyNation will pose five questions to a recruit, player, alum or coach about all things Penn State.

This week's subject is Brendan Mahon, a four-star offensive guard out of Randolph (N.J.) who committed to Penn State last March. He's ranked No. 215 in the ESPN 300, and he'll be on campus in June.

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Every weekday, as part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation will take a closer look at a Penn State walk-on.

Vitals: Gregg Garrity Jr., Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny, 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Jabrill Peppers, an ESPN Watch List cornerback, couldn't have been all that surprised when the staff told him they foresee him playing on both sides of the ball.

He's the top overall player on the Nittany Lions' big board, one of the best high school athletes in the country. And, starting in 2014, Penn State must deal with 20 fewer scholarships for four seasons.

With those limitations, the Nittany Lions are going to have to utilitize their top talent -- and top recruits -- as much as possible. That's not to say fans will see a field covered in Owen Marcecics, but it's clear that Bill O'Brien is placing a premium on versatility. Most of Penn State's high school recruits can play more than one position in college -- and that's no coincidence.

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- With spring practice less than two weeks away, NittanyNation takes a look at five players fans should keep an eye on.

5. CB Da'Quan Davis, sophomore

Last year's stat line: Five tackles, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups

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Every weekday, as part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation will take a closer look at a Penn State walk-on.

Vitals: Wideout Luke Vadas, Shaker Heights (Ohio) University High, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds.

Picked Penn State over: FBS scholarship from Marshall and walk-on invitations from Ohio State, Pitt and Maryland.

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Sharieff Rhaheed had never before heard from Penn State -- a university 1,100 miles from his Fort Pierce (Fla.) Central High School -- so he wasn't really expecting a call from the Nittany Lions last week.

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De'Andre Thompkins may go to school at Swansboro (N.C.), but he can't make a turn in the hallways without being reminded of Penn State.

A Nittany Lion emblem is the classroom screensaver of his math teacher, Ed Walsh, and a PSU jacket is hanging nearby. A history teacher, health instructor and his football coach also either grew up as Nittany Lions fans or went to the university.

Heck, even a custodian inside the red-brick school chats up with Thompkins about PSU and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Every weekday, as part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation will take a closer look at a Penn State walk-on.

Vitals: Offensive lineman Evan Galimberti, State College (Pa.), 6-foot-2, 258 pounds

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ESPN Watch List wideout Chris Godwin (Middletown, Del./Middletown) holds more than a dozen offers, and he appears to be the top wideout on Penn State's big board.

NittanyNation recently spoke with the receiver at length about his interest in PSU, his timetable for a commitment and his playing style.

NittanyNation: First of all, can you tell me where your interest is in Penn State? How did the junior day there go?

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Less than a month ago, tailback Robert Martin was wondering when his first scholarship offer might roll in. Now, after reeling in a half-dozen, he's just wondering who might be next.

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Every weekday, as part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation will take a closer look at a Penn State walk-on.

Vitals: Wideout Chris Geiss, Malvern (Pa.) Great Valley, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds

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What kind of player is Penn State getting in Brendan Mahon? And what can fans expect?

NittanyNation turned to one of the people who knows most what Mahon is capable of on the field -- Joe Lusardi, his high school coach at Randolph (N.J.) -- and asked what separates him as a player, how he first noticed Mahon's ability and when he especially showcased his potential.

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