PSU Nittany Lions

• PSU welcomed two new commits on Friday, landing safety Marcus Allen and then linebacker Jared Wangler later on. Allen has come a long way since playing JV linebacker, while Wangler's coach said his work ethic helps separate the linebacker. Wangler also later recounted his commitment day in depth.
• Five-star CB Jabrill Peppers is down to just four schools -- and it turns out PSU is one of the remaining choices. He'll visit Penn State on May 18.
• The coach of Penn State recruit Daquan Worley called his player fast, tough and physical . Worley also talked about his commitment and said he wasn't always a lock for PSU .
• 2015 CB John Reid already has double-digit scholarship offers , but he said he's nowhere close to naming any favorites.
• ESPN 150 CB Dravon Henry hasn't seen his recruitment get any easier since he named a top four about two months ago.
• Joe Schad reports that Steven Bench is considering a transfer to NC State in addition to Mississippi State and South Florida.
• Bill O'Brien said fans should not expect a "mass exodus" anytime soon. And Adam Rittenberg writes that O'Brien is also embracing his role in PSU's outreach.
• Jared Shanker took a lighthearted look at recruiting pitches in the Big Ten, including what each team is selling and what each team is missing.
• PSU is the first major program to start recruiting 2015 QB Ryan Brand , and the rising junior is thrilled.
• 2015 LB Jerome Baker may live in Ohio, but he said he actually grew up a Penn State fan in this past week's edition of "5 Questions."
• Incoming run-on kicker Chris Gulla addressed his chance at starting and what fans can expect from him at the position.
• DT Jeremiah Clarke named his top six schools and PSU made the cut.
• Like a lot of B1G teams, PSU is after a 2015 OT who is already 6-foot-8 and 295 pounds .
• We took a closer look at Penn State's big board when it comes to DBs .

• Sophomore quarterback Steven Bench said it wasn't an easy decision, but he's set to transfer from Penn State. Brian Bennett offered instant analysis on the move, while Josh Moyer wrote that PSU shouldn't panic quite yet .
• Coverage of the quarterback situation continued elsewhere. ESPN 150 quarterback Michael O'Connor said in this week's edition of "5 Questions" that Bench's transfer piques his interest in PSU . And, in this week's mailbag, we took three questions on the QB situation -- regarding walk-ons, extra scholarships and Christian Hackenberg.
• Now that Tyler Ferguson is the lone scholarship QB on the roster -- at least until Hackenberg arrives -- it's definitely worth taking a look at this: Earlier this year, NittanyNation retraced Ferguson's junior college season and polled half of the coaches who squared off against him about his pros and cons.
• Four-star wideout Chris Godwin committed to PSU. And it's no surprise ESPN's scouts think the Nittany Lions have greatly improved their receivers.
• WR De'Andre Thompkins said in an in-depth Q&A that the addition of another wideout isn't making him shy away from his commitment.
• Troy Apke's coach talked about what makes his receiver special and said that Apke is just getting started. Thompkins' coach said his player belongs on the same level as Mario Williams , a former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
• Our 2014 PSU spotlight series continued by taking a closer look at DT Ricky Walker.
• Video: Nick Scott talked about his time at the Blue-White Game and his commitment to PSU. Scott also impressed the scouts during the Nike Football Training Camp in Washington, D.C.
• DB Anthony Davis likes PSU a lot , but his recruiting process has become a little harder since his head coach left.
• 2015 RB Jerome Baker had a huge week and picked up several offers, including one from Penn State.
• PSU target Qadree Ollison is a fan of the Big Ten and talks about his recent trip to Happy Valley.
• Athlete Dareian Watkins updates his recruitment and says he hopes to visit PSU.

• Cornerback, safety, punt returner, nickelback Adrian Amos is comfortable just about anywhere. And in a time with limited scholarships, that versatility is more valuable than ever.
• Penn State picked up commitment No. 4 when wideout Troy Apke chose the Nittany Lions over Pittsburgh , the school his father played at.
• Linebacker Jared Wangler said PSU is now his top school after he received an offer on his visit -- and he said he didn't want to drag his recruitment out either.
• Bill O'Brien and several of his players talked about the quarterbacks and how they're doing so far this spring.
• ESPN Watch List QB Michael O'Connor wasn't expecting a PSU offer , but he was happy he received one. And the Lions are now among his top schools.
• The high school coach of early enrollee Richy Anderson discussed his tailback/wideout and talked about what fans can expect from him.
• Run-on LB Kyle Searfoss talked about his expectations in this week's "5 Questions" and said he's willing to contribute anywhere he can.
• DT Peyton Newell is up to 32 offers already , and he discussed his recruiting timetable and thoughts on PSU.
• Practice notebook: How did Steven Bench and Tyler Ferguson fare at practice? NittanyNation has all the info here, in addition to injury updates, Sam Ficken's newfound confidence and more.
• Who's Penn State looking at when it comes to defensive tackles? NittanyNation projected the top six DTs on PSU's big board.
• Another DT to keep track of might just be Joe Vitiello , who's enamored with PSU and hopes to prove his mettle to the staff over the summer. He's versatile enough to also play DE or TE.
• PSU didn't want to wait when it came to offering Dareian Watkins , an athlete out of Ohio.
• Our "2014 PSU spotlight" series continued this past week, as NittanyNation highlighted defensive tackle Jeremiah Clarke and wideout Chris Godwin .
• Steven Gonzalez and Daiquan Kelly, two 2015 teammates from Union City (N.J.) High School, were impressed by their first-ever visit to PSU . One player said he even liked the visit more than Rutgers.
• 2015 CB Jordan Whitehead wasn't sure what to think of PSU before his visit . Afterward? Well, now it's a school that might just stay with him until the end.
• Incoming freshman Curtis Cothran talked in a Q&A about his preparations for joining the team and what his goals are this season.
• Ivan Maisel visited Happy Valley earlier in the week and blogged about his time talking to Bill O'Brien and the players.

• When Nyeem Wartman is ready to flip the switch, everybody knows. His high school coach, longtime friends and teammates talk about the kind of player and person the linebacker is.
• Linebacker/safety Mark Fossati might not be the biggest player in New Jersey, but he's one of the best athletes. Even ESPN Watch List CB Jabrill Peppers said he's the best linebacker he's ever faced. PSU wants the undersized Fossati at linebacker.
• ESPN's scouts released reports on all three of Penn State's commits . Troy Reeder was called a "program building player."
• Bill O'Brien said three-star LB signee Zayd Issah is off the team -- at least for now.
• Linebacker Brandon Bell discussed his expectations and improvement in a Q&A.
• We talked about Zayd Issah, football and recruiting in Friday's chat.
• CB Marcus Whitfield said his visit completely changed his outlook about PSU. DT Ryan Stout reflected on his college visits and said he especially liked PSU's campus.
• Safeties coach Anthony Midget addressed the media for the first time and said his transition to PSU has been relatively easy so far.
• Some Penn State players might have had a little too much fun on April Fools' Day.
• As part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation took a closer look at OT Jermaine Eluemunor and DT Thomas Holley .
• Run-on LB Brandon Smith talked about his increased role in the defense with PSU's limited depth in this week's edition of "5 Questions."
• 2015 DE Jashon Cornell received an offer from PSU and he said O'Brien left some nice compliments.
• Run-on QB Jack Seymour's coach talked about what makes the signal caller special and what fans can expect from him.

• Defensive end Deion Barnes hates missing sacks. He can still recall each of the four he missed last season, and the humble redshirt sophomore is intent on improving upon that this season. His mother, father, high school coach and teammates talk about what makes him tick in this in-depth feature.
  
• The coach of 2014 PSU commit Mark Allen talks about what makes his player special and how he knew from Allen's Pop Warner days that he'd find success.
  
• Three-star LB Zayd Issah faces felony charges after police say he tried to pass off counterfeit $20 bills at a McDonald's.
  
• Who's impressed or surprised the most so far this spring? NittanyNation polled the players to find out.
  
• PSU signee DaeSean Hamilton talks about taking up yoga and preparing for life at PSU in this week's edition of "5 Questions."
  
• ESPN Watch List QB Michael O'Connor didn't come away from PSU with a scholarship offer , but he did hear other really good news during his unofficial visit.
  
• News, notes and observations from parts of Thursday's open practice.
  
• As part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation takes a closer look at 2014 prospects with PSU offers -- including best highlights, stats, other offers and more. Up this past week: WR De'Andre Thompkins and CB Jabrill Peppers .
  
• Adam Rittenberg writes that linebacker Mike Hull is set up for a breakout season.
  
• OL Quenton Nelson is aiming to trim his list after more visits and will see PSU for the Blue-White Game.
  
• 2015 CB Jordan Whitehead talks about the Nittany Lions and his recruitment in this in-depth Q&A.
  
• Interest is picking up for linebacker Tyler Burke, but PSU seems to have backed off .
  
• NCAA president Mark Emmert said on "Mike & Mike" that Penn State's sanctions will likely remain.
  
• David Njoku, a 6-foot-4 wideout, said his interest in PSU 'skyrocketed' after his unofficial visit.

• Christian Hackenberg said he's doing all he can to make sure he competes for the starting quarterback job once he gets on campus in June. Bill O'Brien said on the first day of spring practice that he's definitely "in the mix."
  
• This in-depth feature on safety Marcus Allen , who holds nearly 20 scholarship offers, takes a closer look at just how Allen found success. Toward the end of his freshman year, playing JV linebacker another year was on his mind -- not scholarship offers.
• The coach of 2014 commit Nick Scott talked about the type of player PSU is getting and tossed around names like Gayle Sayers and Eric Dickerson.
• Bill O'Brien spoke with Adam Rittenberg for a Q&A about spring ball and what's new with the Nittany Lions.
• Safety Marcus Allen and cornerback Joe Shelton said their trip to Penn State exceeded their expectations . But they still didn't seem to enjoy it as much as DT Jeremiah Clarke, who called his trip "perfect."
  
• 2013 signee Kasey Gaines talked about his expectations and adjustments in this in-depth Q&A.
• The offense battled the defense in a best 3-out-of-5 competition, and there were also plenty of other news and notes on the first day of spring practice.
• ESPN Watch List prospect Dravon Henry recently named his top four , and Penn State made the short list.
• Mitch Sherman writes about the NCAA's plans for deregulation being paused -- at least for now.
• As part of a series, we're taking an overall look at rising seniors with Penn State offers. Up this past week were wideout Troy Apke and offensive tackle Noah Beh .
• NBC will air excerpts of a filmmaker's jailhouse interviews with Jerry Sandusky on Monday's "Today" show.
• Josh Moyer talked Penn State football and recruiting in this week's chat.

• Defensive tackle Thomas Holley didn't start playing football until just about a year ago, and he only played in eight games. Now, he's on the ESPN Watch List with 17 offers. How'd he get here? And why'd he take up football in the first place? NittanyNation has the answers in this in-depth feature on Holley.
  
• Video: Former PSU quarterback Michael Robinson reflected about his career with the Nittany Lions, and also had a message for Seattle coach Pete Carroll.
• Our "Meet the run-ons" series concluded with QB D.J. Crook , RB Brian Tomasetti and ATH Brock Baranowski . You can see the entire seriesright here.
• Bill O'Brien caused quite the stir at the school of LB Zaire Franklin , who talks about the coach and what he likes about Penn State.
• Linebacker Chase Winovich discussed his interest in Penn State and talked about his recruitment in a Q&A.
• Troy Reeder's coach talked about what makes his linebacker special , and he emphasized Reeder's lateral quickness and athleticism.
• ESPN Watch List QB Clayton Thorson talked about his visit to Happy Valley and said he found the staff to be very honest.
• Adam Rittenberg recaps all the coaching changes in the Big Ten.
• Pro day notebook: Stephon Morris impressed with his speed, while Gerald Hodges and Jordan Hill said they hoped to go in the second or third rounds.
• So, what PSU players plan to watch the NFL draft? NittanyNation decided to ask several players, along with giving a rundown of their pro day numbers.
• PSU will be without LB Ben Kline for the spring because of shoulder surgery, and Malik Golden will move to defensive back, writes Adam Rittenberg.
• NittanyNation offered four early predictions for the upcoming season.
• 5 Questions: DT Ricky Walker talks about whether PSU will make his top five , when he'll visit and what he likes the most -- and least -- about the Lions.
• Poll: Which B1G team has the most interesting spring QB race?
• NittanyNation mailbag: We take a look at questions about wide receiver commits, the "what if" of Steven Bench performing well and the position battle to keep an eye on.
• Numerous recruits are wary of the NCAA's deregulation rules, Mitch Sherman writes.
• Gov. Tom Corbett wants the courts to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at overturning a law to keep PSU's $60 million fine money in Pennsylvania.

• ESPN Watch List wideout Chris Godwin talked about his interest in PSU and his recruiting timetable in a Q&A.
  
• Video: Adam Rittenberg talks about the big shoes PSU has to fill with the departures of Matt McGloin, Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti.
  
• Even though he lives in North Carolina, De'Andre Thompkins is constantly reminded of the Nittany Lions . Penn State fans and alumni are everywhere, he says.
  
• Adam Rittenberg writes that PSU is aggressively pursuing a game in Ireland and has one more non-conference game to schedule for 2014.
  
• NittanyNation tackled numerous question in Friday's chat, ranging from the next commit to the starting QB/RB in 2013.
  
• The "Meet the run-ons" series continued with LB Michael Wiand , WR Chris Geiss , OL Evan Galimberti , WR Luke Vadas , WR Gregg Garrity Jr.
  
• As PSU continues recruiting, it's becoming more and more evident that versatility and playing multiple positions is one of the important traits of this class.
  
• The coach of four-star PSU commit Brendan Mahon talked about what makes his player special , while Mahon himself was the subject of this past week's "5 Questions."
• Spring practice is just around the corner, so NittanyNation provided five players whom fans should keep a closer eye on.
  
• Here's a look at salaries of Big Ten athletic directors. Dave Joyner's is actually the lowest.
  
• DE/LB Sharieff Rhaheed recently heard from PSU safeties coach Anthony Midget and said, despite living in Florida, that he's interested in Linebacker U.
  
• Penn State might not be in Harrisburg (Pa.) Rob Martin's future, but the tailback is still picking up plenty of interest elsewhere.
  
• OT Alex Bookser hopes to visit PSU for a spring practice, while PSU target Thaddeus Snodgrass shook up his top five .

• Fairfax (Va.) tailback/safety Nick Scott is following his dream by committing to Penn State. Linebacker Troy Reeder also opened up about his commitment in an extensive Q&A.
• ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski believes PSU deserves to have the sanctions reduced after another glowing review from George Mitchell.
• Safety Anthony Davis' new PSU offer vaulted the Nittany Lions into his top three . DT Thomas Holley said he's excited about his PSU offer , and OT Noah Beh said he's thinking a lot about his next move .
• Our daily "Meet the run-ons" series continued with the following players: OT Andrew Terlingo , QB Jack Seymour , SB Von Walker , OT Austin Fiedler , LB Carter Henderson .
• There's quite a few position battles brewing in the spring. NittanyNation took a closer look at five.
• DT Jeremiah Clarke said the Nittany Lions are in his top-three in this week's "5 Questions." We also addressed the next PSU commit in this week's mailbag -- and think it might just be Clarke.
• Mike Grimm talks about his PSU visit and his top-two schools right now.
• OT Jermaine Eluemunor awoke at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and found out he had a Penn State offer .
• Fran Ganter retired after 46 years with the Penn State football program.
• Christian Hackenberg's coach described the kind of player that Penn State is getting over the summer.
• Ohio WR Luke Vadas decided to run-on at PSU over an offer from Marshall and a walk-on invitation from Ohio State.

• Former Georgia State coach Bill Curry said in a Q&A that PSU's new safeties coach, Anthony Midget, is a great recruiter who's destined to be a great coach.
  
• Penn State picked up its second commitment of the class in Nick Scott, an athlete from Fairfax, Va., during junior day. Four players also picked up scholarships on Saturday.
• PSU might have cracked the top five of ESPN Watch List prospect Jabrill Peppers. His Paramus (N.J.) Catholic teammates, OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty and QB Steve Shanley, also enjoyed their visit.
  
• Besides those three, four other Paramus Catholic players plan to visit PSU in the near future. Here's a brief overview of all seven.
  
• We talked about 2014 prospects and position battles in our bi-weekly chat.
  
• 2014 DT Antoine White talked about his interest in PSU before his junior day visit and marveled at PSU's weight room in "5 Questions."

• Our "Meet the run-ons" series continued with OG Tom Devenney, OG Justin Norman, RB Adam Geiger, K Chris Gulla, LB Kyle Searfoss.
  
• RB Shai McKenzie has brought some pride back to the blue-collar town of Washington, Pa., and given the locals something to brag about.
  
• Video: Jared Shanker spoke with OT Mike Grimm about his recruitment and his future visits.
  
• Tanner Hartman's coach said he was a bit of a late-bloomer and came on strong in the second half of his senior season.
  
• Linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden is keeping close tabs on 2014 LB Tyler Burke, who said he's lost count how many times the coach has visited.

• Penn State's run-on program is going to be more important than ever. This in-depth look shows the emphasis Bill O'Brien is putting on it and how D.J. Crook made it there.

• Curtis Cothran
• Defensive end
• 2013
• Committed: Penn State

Pos Rk	Stars	Grade	Hometown
110		70	Newtown, PA

• Curtis Cothran's coach talked about the kind of player PSU is getting and mentioned how Cothran could stop sprinting ball-carriers with just one arm.

• As part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation took a look at five commits and gave an overview of their rankings, scouting report and projected impact: Garrett Sickels, Kasey Gaines, Brandon Bell, Tyler Ferguson and Zayd Issah.

• Chris Geiss met Joe Paterno back in grade school, and the coach told him he'd be playing football at PSU one day. Sure enough, Geiss accepted an offer last week to become a preferred walk-on.

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