PSU Nittany Lions: Robert Foster
Joe Cowart sat behind his desk last spring and watched as students filed into his classroom. And every day he spotted a certain basketball player, the teacher/football coach always had a comment waiting.
"You look like an athlete who'd make the NFL," Cowart said one day.
That athlete, New Castle (Pa.) High School's Malik Hooker, would just smile and deflect that football talk. Playing on the hardwood was his first love, and how did Cowart know that he would succeed anyway? He hadn't even played football since eighth grade, and he was doing just fine at basketball. (He even made one of Sportscenter's top 10 plays for a dunk last month.)
But Cowart didn't relent and, soon, Hooker's friends joined in the chorus. So, Hooker figured, what did he have to lose? He expected to compete, expected to flash his athleticism -- but he never thought he'd be where is now, holding five offers from as close as in-state schools Penn State and Pittsburgh, with another 2,000 miles away in Arizona.
"You look like an athlete who'd make the NFL," Cowart said one day.
That athlete, New Castle (Pa.) High School's Malik Hooker, would just smile and deflect that football talk. Playing on the hardwood was his first love, and how did Cowart know that he would succeed anyway? He hadn't even played football since eighth grade, and he was doing just fine at basketball. (He even made one of Sportscenter's top 10 plays for a dunk last month.)
But Cowart didn't relent and, soon, Hooker's friends joined in the chorus. So, Hooker figured, what did he have to lose? He expected to compete, expected to flash his athleticism -- but he never thought he'd be where is now, holding five offers from as close as in-state schools Penn State and Pittsburgh, with another 2,000 miles away in Arizona.
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Rising junior CB has eye on Pa. schools 
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
6:00
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Jordan Whitehead (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) has seen the recruiting process up close and personal, as ESPN 150 wide receiver Robert Foster went through the ringer before finally signing with Alabama on Feb. 6.
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Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
5:35
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
Keep up with live blog posts, video, breaking news and more all week from the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Blog 
• Top 2 recruits Nkemdiche, Lawson 
• Fact or Fiction: Liner, Foster, more
• Spread offenses reduce RBs' spotlight
• Who has impressed the most?
Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
White Team offense
Quarterback: Kevin Olsen (Miami)Running back: Keith Ford (Oklahoma)
Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ryan Green (Florida State), Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Tight end: Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
Offensive tackle: Derwin Gray (Maryland), Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh)
Offensive guard: Patrick Kugler (Michigan), David Dawson (Michigan)
Center: Scott Quessenberry (UCLA)
White Team defense
Defensive end: Carl Lawson (Auburn), Joey Bosa (Ohio State)Defensive tackle: Henry Poggi (Michigan), Kelsey Griffin (South Carolina)
Inside linebacker: Reuben Foster, Yannick Ngakoue
Outside linebacker: Trey Johnson
Safety: Max Redfield, Antonio Conner
Cornerback: Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Shaq Wiggins (Georgia)
White Team special teams
Long snapper: Brendan TurelliKicker: Ryan Santoso (Minnesota)
Punter: Shane Tripucka
Captains: Ryan Green, Hunter Henry, Patrick Kugler, Reuben Foster
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.