Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Christian Hackenberg
Lessons Learned: New Level Youngstown 
March, 16, 2013
Mar 16
7:46
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival and
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The New Level Athletics 7-on-7 Midwest Regional attracted 21 teams from Delaware, Indiana, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Canada. The competition was strong Saturday from this one-day tournament as the teams battled well into the night. The Class of 2014 stood out, but individuals from 2015 and 2016 showed their presence as well. There were even some eighth-graders giving it their all, as each squad fought for the title.
RecruitingNation writers Brad Bournival and Jared Shanker attended the regional. Here are five things they learned:
RecruitingNation writers Brad Bournival and Jared Shanker attended the regional. Here are five things they learned:
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Penn State coach Bill O’Brien just signed the country’s No. 1 quarterback in the 2013 class, and now he is going after a 2014 quarterback on the Watch List.
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.
Bold prediction: Penn State will hang on to a top-25 class, even if just by the slimmest of margins. Bill O'Brien and his staff deserve all the credit in the world for having to originally put together a class after the scandal and then reshaping it after NCAA sanctions were levied in July.
Illinois
Biggest need: The Illini's offense was arguably the worst in the Big Ten in 2012, and Illinois needs help just about everywhere on offense, especially at the skill positions.
Biggest recruit: Four-star athlete Aaron Bailey is the future at quarterback for Illinois, and the coaches will expect him to be ready to take the reins once Nathan Scheelhaase moves on.
Indiana
Biggest need: To just put up a fence around Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. Kevin Wilson did that, assuaging defensive line concerns in the process by adding Indianapolis linemen David Kenney III and Darius Latham.
Biggest recruit: The Hoosiers are not accustomed to landing ESPN 150 prospects, but not only did they get Rashard Fant, but they got him all the way out of Georgia.
Iowa
Biggest need: After having several productive running backs over the past decade, the Hawkeyes are hurting in the backfield due to injuries and off-the-field issues.
Biggest recruit: The Hawkeyes were after Berkley Edwards for a while, but once that fell through they put the screws to former Boston College running back commit LeShun Daniels. He flipped shortly after an official visit to Iowa.
Michigan
Biggest need: Brady Hoke is transitioning to a pro-style offense, and he needed a pocket passer and a running back who makes his living in between the tackles.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 quarterback Shane Morris is that pro-style quarterback, but he is also the unquestioned leader of Team 134 and helped put together one of the nation’s top classes.
Michigan State
Biggest need: The Spartans will lose their top two rushers from 2012, including Big Ten rushing leader Le’Veon Bell, so running back is a priority. They are bringing in two.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback Damion Terry is a capable thrower and runner, and he led his high school to a state title as a senior. Andrew Maxwell did not exactly lock down the starting quarterback job with his performance last season.
Minnesota
Biggest need: Donnell Kirkwood is a promising player at running back, but he struggled against some of the league’s better defenses and wore down late in the season. A complement is sorely needed.
Biggest recruit: Three-star running back Berkley Edwards is the younger brother of former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards. Berkley is one of the Gophers’ highest-rated commitments, and running back is a position that lends itself to an easy transition.
Nebraska
Biggest need: Nebraska needs to return to its days of the Blackshirts, as the Huskers' defense was gashed on the ground all season. The Huskers need help along the defensive line.
Biggest recruit: Elite 11 finalist Johnny Stanton is a dual-threat quarterback, but he’s a much more polished passer than Taylor Martinez, who has taken his share of lumps since his flashy start in Lincoln.
Northwestern
Biggest need: Now that the Wildcats are a legitimate threat in the Big Ten under Pat Fitzgerald, the next step is to get better athletes to compete with Michigan and Ohio State. Fitzgerald is doing that with Ifeadi Odenigbo in 2012 and Godwin Igwebuike in 2013.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback Matt Alviti had offers from some big programs including Notre Dame, but he chose nearby Northwestern. The Wildcats have an unsettled situation at quarterback, and as a local product Alviti could be called for by the fans if the quarterback play does not improve.
Ohio State
Biggest need: Linebacker was the biggest need for the Buckeyes, and after a shaky start Urban Meyer wrapped up a nice haul at the position with ESPN 150 products Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell.
Biggest recruit: It’s a tie between Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, who are separated by just a few spots in the ESPN 150. Both have game-breaking ability as a receiver or out of the backfield.
Penn State
Biggest need: Despite significantly improved play from Matt McGloin in 2012, the Nittany Lions have not been blessed with quarterbacks the past decade, with the exception of a few good seasons from Michael Robinson and Daryll Clark.
Biggest recruit: While the class did field its share of decommitments, the damage would have been irreparable if No. 1 QB Christian Hackenberg bolted. By staying on, he instilled confidence in several other recruits to stay or join him in State College.
Purdue
Biggest need: The quarterback situation at Purdue has been unsettled the past few seasons, which is not good when it comes to the most important position on the field.
Biggest recruit: An Elite 11 finalist, Danny Etling stuck with the Boilermakers through the coaching change. He will be looked at as the future of the program.
Wisconsin
Biggest need: While the Badgers always have a strong stable of backs, losing Montee Ball is going to hurt, especially in the red zone. Wisconsin addressed it with top commitment Corey Clement.
Biggest recruit: The loss of Russell Wilson left a major void at quarterback, but the Badgers landed quarterback Tanner McEvoy on Monday. McEvoy is ranked No. 44 among juco prospects nationally and the expectation is he will contend for a starting job immediately.
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Bold prediction: Penn State will hang on to a top-25 class, even if just by the slimmest of margins. Bill O'Brien and his staff deserve all the credit in the world for having to originally put together a class after the scandal and then reshaping it after NCAA sanctions were levied in July.
Illinois
Biggest need: The Illini's offense was arguably the worst in the Big Ten in 2012, and Illinois needs help just about everywhere on offense, especially at the skill positions.
Biggest recruit: Four-star athlete Aaron Bailey is the future at quarterback for Illinois, and the coaches will expect him to be ready to take the reins once Nathan Scheelhaase moves on.
Indiana
Biggest need: To just put up a fence around Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. Kevin Wilson did that, assuaging defensive line concerns in the process by adding Indianapolis linemen David Kenney III and Darius Latham.
Biggest recruit: The Hoosiers are not accustomed to landing ESPN 150 prospects, but not only did they get Rashard Fant, but they got him all the way out of Georgia.
Iowa
Biggest need: After having several productive running backs over the past decade, the Hawkeyes are hurting in the backfield due to injuries and off-the-field issues.
Biggest recruit: The Hawkeyes were after Berkley Edwards for a while, but once that fell through they put the screws to former Boston College running back commit LeShun Daniels. He flipped shortly after an official visit to Iowa.
Michigan
Biggest need: Brady Hoke is transitioning to a pro-style offense, and he needed a pocket passer and a running back who makes his living in between the tackles.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 quarterback Shane Morris is that pro-style quarterback, but he is also the unquestioned leader of Team 134 and helped put together one of the nation’s top classes.
Michigan State
Biggest need: The Spartans will lose their top two rushers from 2012, including Big Ten rushing leader Le’Veon Bell, so running back is a priority. They are bringing in two.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback Damion Terry is a capable thrower and runner, and he led his high school to a state title as a senior. Andrew Maxwell did not exactly lock down the starting quarterback job with his performance last season.
Minnesota
Biggest need: Donnell Kirkwood is a promising player at running back, but he struggled against some of the league’s better defenses and wore down late in the season. A complement is sorely needed.
Biggest recruit: Three-star running back Berkley Edwards is the younger brother of former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards. Berkley is one of the Gophers’ highest-rated commitments, and running back is a position that lends itself to an easy transition.
Nebraska
Biggest need: Nebraska needs to return to its days of the Blackshirts, as the Huskers' defense was gashed on the ground all season. The Huskers need help along the defensive line.
Biggest recruit: Elite 11 finalist Johnny Stanton is a dual-threat quarterback, but he’s a much more polished passer than Taylor Martinez, who has taken his share of lumps since his flashy start in Lincoln.
Northwestern
Biggest need: Now that the Wildcats are a legitimate threat in the Big Ten under Pat Fitzgerald, the next step is to get better athletes to compete with Michigan and Ohio State. Fitzgerald is doing that with Ifeadi Odenigbo in 2012 and Godwin Igwebuike in 2013.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 300 dual-threat quarterback Matt Alviti had offers from some big programs including Notre Dame, but he chose nearby Northwestern. The Wildcats have an unsettled situation at quarterback, and as a local product Alviti could be called for by the fans if the quarterback play does not improve.
Ohio State
Biggest need: Linebacker was the biggest need for the Buckeyes, and after a shaky start Urban Meyer wrapped up a nice haul at the position with ESPN 150 products Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell.
Biggest recruit: It’s a tie between Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, who are separated by just a few spots in the ESPN 150. Both have game-breaking ability as a receiver or out of the backfield.
Penn State
Biggest need: Despite significantly improved play from Matt McGloin in 2012, the Nittany Lions have not been blessed with quarterbacks the past decade, with the exception of a few good seasons from Michael Robinson and Daryll Clark.
Biggest recruit: While the class did field its share of decommitments, the damage would have been irreparable if No. 1 QB Christian Hackenberg bolted. By staying on, he instilled confidence in several other recruits to stay or join him in State College.
Purdue
Biggest need: The quarterback situation at Purdue has been unsettled the past few seasons, which is not good when it comes to the most important position on the field.
Biggest recruit: An Elite 11 finalist, Danny Etling stuck with the Boilermakers through the coaching change. He will be looked at as the future of the program.
Wisconsin
Biggest need: While the Badgers always have a strong stable of backs, losing Montee Ball is going to hurt, especially in the red zone. Wisconsin addressed it with top commitment Corey Clement.
Biggest recruit: The loss of Russell Wilson left a major void at quarterback, but the Badgers landed quarterback Tanner McEvoy on Monday. McEvoy is ranked No. 44 among juco prospects nationally and the expectation is he will contend for a starting job immediately.
Tyler Boyd: No leader has emerged
December, 16, 2012
12/16/12
12:40
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Tyler Boyd contends there is no No. 1 on his list. If there was, the Clairton (Pa.) athlete would be committing in three weeks.
That likely will not be the case anymore for the ESPN 300 recruit and record-setting playmaker.
"It's still dated on [Jan. 5] but still thinking if I should commit or not. It's a decision I'm not ready for," Boyd said. "It's still Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, Arizona, West Virginia and Pitt.
That likely will not be the case anymore for the ESPN 300 recruit and record-setting playmaker.
"It's still dated on [Jan. 5] but still thinking if I should commit or not. It's a decision I'm not ready for," Boyd said. "It's still Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, Arizona, West Virginia and Pitt.
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Winning impacts PSU's ability to recruit
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
12:03
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Linebacker Zach Bradshaw woke up every morning for two weeks and weighed Penn State's sanctions.
The 2013 recruit out of Damascus, Md., spoke with his father, reflected on his commitment and wondered just how competitive his Nittany Lions would remain -- before finishing breakfast on a Tuesday morning and calling Bill O'Brien to decommit. On Aug. 7, Bradshaw hopped into a car with his mother, drove to Charlottesville, Va., and pledged to the Cavaliers.
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Saturday was hardly a banner day for the Big Ten.
But the conference could be raising some banners in the near future with the strong recruiting classes many of the league’s programs are putting together.
The best of the Big Ten’s 2013 recruiting classes belongs to Michigan right now. ESPN 150 quarterback Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) is the future of the program and is the kind of pro-style quarterback Brady Hoke needs for his offense. Morris won’t have to worry much about protection either once he arrives in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines have five offensive line commitments -- and all five are in the ESPN 150.
But the conference could be raising some banners in the near future with the strong recruiting classes many of the league’s programs are putting together.
The best of the Big Ten’s 2013 recruiting classes belongs to Michigan right now. ESPN 150 quarterback Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) is the future of the program and is the kind of pro-style quarterback Brady Hoke needs for his offense. Morris won’t have to worry much about protection either once he arrives in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines have five offensive line commitments -- and all five are in the ESPN 150.
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Through a tumultuous run of transfers, decommitments and NCAA sanctions, ESPN 150 four-star tight end Adam Breneman (Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff) has remained a constant for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State fans have already embraced Breneman as a leader, and the 6-foot-4, 229-pounder has said he's finished looking at other schools. He's heading to Happy Valley, and he appears to be one of the gems of Penn State's 2013 recruiting class, along with ESPN 150 No. 1 quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Fork Union, Va./Fork Union Military Academy).
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Issah's Penn State decision coming soon
July, 30, 2012
7/30/12
9:47
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Six Penn State commitments trekked to State College this past Saturday, and the Nittany Lions and first-year coach Bill O’Brien are hitting 1.000 with visitors so far. They hope to make it 7 for 7 this coming Saturday with another verbal pledge heading to Penn State over the weekend.
Three-star athlete Zayd Issah (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), a Central Pennsylvania product, is visiting Penn State on Saturday.
“I’m going to meet with the coaches and see what they’re thinking and where they feel the program is going to go and make a decision off that,” said Issah, No. 23 in Pennsylvania and No. 102 among athletes nationally. “It’s going to be a different Penn State than the one I committed to. I want to see what it is.”
Three-star athlete Zayd Issah (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), a Central Pennsylvania product, is visiting Penn State on Saturday.
“I’m going to meet with the coaches and see what they’re thinking and where they feel the program is going to go and make a decision off that,” said Issah, No. 23 in Pennsylvania and No. 102 among athletes nationally. “It’s going to be a different Penn State than the one I committed to. I want to see what it is.”
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PSU commit Christian Hackenberg speaks
July, 30, 2012
7/30/12
3:33
PM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
Christian Hackenberg doesn’t care what people think.
“I could really care less, to be honest,” said Hackenberg, the nation’s No. 1-rated quarterback prospect on his decision to remain committed to Penn State. “I made a decision that wasn’t just about football. Penn State is bigger than football.”
The four-star senior out of Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy reaffirmed his pledge to the Nittany Lions during a Saturday visit to State College, Pa., with five other members of Penn State’s 2013 class.
“I could really care less, to be honest,” said Hackenberg, the nation’s No. 1-rated quarterback prospect on his decision to remain committed to Penn State. “I made a decision that wasn’t just about football. Penn State is bigger than football.”
The four-star senior out of Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy reaffirmed his pledge to the Nittany Lions during a Saturday visit to State College, Pa., with five other members of Penn State’s 2013 class.
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Penn State quarterback recruit Christian Hackenberg (Fork Union, Va./Fork Union Military Academy) plans to visit the State College, Pa., campus on a fact-finding mission before he makes a decision on his future with the school, his high school coach said Wednesday.
After the annoucement of severe sanctions levied on Monday against Penn State, Micky Sullivan, longtime coach at Fork Union, said he met with Hackenberg and his parents to help devise a list of questions that the QB would like to get answered from coach Bill O’Brien and PSU officials.
“There’s so much that we just don’t know right now,” Sullivan said. “He’s got to get as many answers as he can before moving forward. For Christian, this is one of the most important decisions of his life.
After the annoucement of severe sanctions levied on Monday against Penn State, Micky Sullivan, longtime coach at Fork Union, said he met with Hackenberg and his parents to help devise a list of questions that the QB would like to get answered from coach Bill O’Brien and PSU officials.
“There’s so much that we just don’t know right now,” Sullivan said. “He’s got to get as many answers as he can before moving forward. For Christian, this is one of the most important decisions of his life.
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Top uncommitted Pa. prospects weigh options
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
6:15
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
It is not just the Penn State commitments mulling their future after the NCAA hammered Penn State football with bowl bans and scholarship reductions Monday. Some of the Nittany Lions’ top in-state targets are also contemplating whether to continue to consider Penn State.
Running back David Williams (Philadelphia/Imhotep Charter) and athlete Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) were both high on Penn State for the last several months, and the Nittany Lions were on the short list to land both of the prospects not even two weeks ago. The two were among Penn State’s top remaining targets, and Williams arguably target No. 1.
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RECRUITING NATION MIDWEST COVERAGE
The Midwest Region consists of the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is where the foundation of most Big Ten recruiting classes are made up of. It's also where the MAC finds most of its talent and national programs hunt for prospects.
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