Thursday, January 17, 2013
Visitors' List: Big weekend for walk-ons
By Josh Moyer
Penn State will have several commits up for weekend visits, but this might be the most important Sunday of the year when it comes to potential preferred walk-ons.
NittanyNation has confirmed that at least eight players who were extended spots on the team as non-scholarship players will be in Happy Valley for "Run-on Day," which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Potential walk-ons -- or run-ons, as Bill O'Brien calls them -- will be broken into two groups and will take part in several tours or meetings.
According to recruits, they'll meet with the training staff, coaches and hear about academics. They'll also have lunch together but, due to NCAA rules, recruits will have to pay $10. One prospect said 10 or 11 players received an email with Sunday's itinerary.
NittanyNation has confirmed the attendance of the following players:
LB Michael Wiand, Mifflinburg (Pa.), 6-foot-2, 190 pounds Status: Uncommitted
OG Derek Yoder, Lewistown (Pa.) Mifflin County, 6-foot-3, 309 pounds Status: Uncommitted
Quotables: "I'm looking forward to meeting with the staff and getting a feel for the other run-ons coming up. I just want to feel the environment of what Penn State's about."
SB Von Walker, Mill Hall (Pa.), Central Mountain, 6-foot, 195 pounds Status: Committed
Quotables: "I'm excited to see some of the other walk-ons, so I want to meet new people and get to know some different coaches a little better."
OL/DL Tom Devenney, Lititz (Pa.) Warwick, 6-foot-2, 285 pounds Status: Uncommitted (Between Penn State and Princeton)
Quotables: "Well, with Penn State football, you know you're already getting a great program, a great head coach, and great assistant coaches. So, at this point, it's just seeing what comes along with the run-on program and seeing if it's the right fit."
WR/TE Ronny Tomasetti, Scranton (Pa.) Mid Valley, 6-foot-4, 218 pounds Status: Uncommitted
Quotables: "It's between them and a couple other schools. I'm just looking forward to talking to all the coaches and seeing what it's all about. I basically just want to see what the weight room's like and that kind of stuff."
OG Justin Norman, Jersey Shore (Pa.), 6-foot-4, 300 pounds Status: Uncommitted (Accepted into PSU on Wednesday)
Quotables: "I'm just excited to figure out some more information, like I don't know a whole bunch about what's going to happen over the summer. I just want to find out wha they want us to do, like lifting and stuff."
OT Austin Fiedler, Turbotville (Pa.) Warrior Run, 6-foot-6, 296 pounds Status: Uncommitted (Also considering Bloomsburg)
Quotables: "I just want to figure what's going on with everything, just like how everything works. Like if I'm treated the same way as a scholarship player and everything."
WR Gregg Garrity, Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny, 5-foot-10, 143 pounds Status: Uncommitted (Could wait until after signing day)
Notes: OL Evan Galimberti (State College, Pa./State College), who accepted PSU's preferred walk-on offer, said he received an invitation but wasn't yet sure if he'd attend. ... Kicker Chris Gulla (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North), also a committed walk-on, said he could not attend. ... WR Drew Scales (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) said he will not be there.
