'State' of the 2008 recruiting class

We'll take a quick look at where Penn State is right now for the recruiting class of 2008. I left out all recruits that are 'committed' to other schools already, or prospects that have not been offered by Penn State. Basically, anyone still in contention for Penn State is on the list.

Most fans are very disappointed by the class of 2008. I'm not. After three straight very good classes, Penn State could officially be considered "loaded." I think the bigger class will be in 2009, when most of the core players from the last three years are graduated. The loss of guys like Deion Walker and the virtual loss of Terrelle Pryor has left a sour taste in the Penn State mouth. My real worry is that Pryor will end up with a team that plays Penn State, like Michigan. Here it goes.

(National Position Rank) Name, star rating (High School/Town/Commit Date or Not Committed) Height/Weight/40 time:

Quarterbacks: 0 Committed – Not as big of a deal as people are making it out to be.

(1) Terrelle Pryor ***** (Jeannette/Jeannette, PA/NC) 6-6/225/4.4:
With the likes of Michigan, Florida and Ohio State pushing for Pryor’s services, Penn State has to step up with a big pitch if the top recruit follows through with his probable visit this weekend. I don’t believe it’s that important to land a guy like Pryor now, other than to keep him from signing with one of Penn State’s opponents. 2009 will be the season in which Penn State has to land a top quarterback.

Running Backs: 2 Committed – Penn State is comfortable in their future at this position. With guys like Royster and Green coming up, and now Shaw and Beachum providing depth, Penn State won’t have to worry about this position until 2010.

(29) Michael Shaw **** (Trotwood-Madison/Trotwood, OH/081107) 6-0/187/4.45:
Will probably redshirt.

(32) Brandon Beachum **** (Cardinal Mooney/Youngstown, OH/072907) 5-11/220/4.65:
Will probably redshirt.

Wide Receivers: 1 Committed – If there’s one position that doesn’t need more depth, it’s at wide receiver. In the 2005 class, Penn State landed five great receivers. Two of them, Cousins and McDonald, haven’t really seen the field yet. They have two more years of eligibility. Combine them with Bell and others, and signing a top wide receiver becomes a perk with the class of 2008.

(13 TE) Mark Wedderburn **** (Cardinal O’Hara/Springfield, PA/112707) 6-5/235/4.6:
The tight end spot is becoming backlogged at Penn State. Wedderburn is a good prospect with great size and speed. He should take the redshirt and wait it out. He’ll see the field.

(67) DJ Woods *** (Strongsville/Strongsville, OH/NC) 6-0/166/4.36:
More of a burner than anything. Penn State hasn’t had a big go-to receiver in a while, so they’ve adapted to feature smaller, faster guys. Woods would fit in well in that sort of system.

(113) Marcus Davis *** (Ocean Lakes/Virginia Beach, VA/NC) 6-4/225/4.5:
If his 40 time is anything close to what’s reported, this kid’s a sleeper and a half. With that kind of size, Davis could do wonders in the red zone. However, will Penn State actually figure out how to use their big boys near the goal line?

(151) Rotell Jenkins ** (Huguenot/Richmond, VA/NC) 6-2/180/4.4:
This potential pickup will be more for depth than anything else.

(NR) AJ Price * (South Lakes/Reston, VA/NC) 6-4/175/4.5:
I’ve seen Price play in person. He’s good. Not great, but good enough for the interest Penn State has sent his way recently. Another great depth pickup.

Offensive Linemen: 2 Committed – This baffles me. The only great seasons Penn State has had were when the offensive line is humming like a 350 small block. With most of the 2008 starters graduating, Penn State will probably have a down year on the line in 2009. This part of the class should have been larger.

(8 G) Matt Stankiewitch **** (Blue Mountain/Schuylkill Haven, PA/041407) 6-4/290/0.0:
You can never overvalue a good guard. With very good size, and at a great starting weight, he has potential bursting from every seam.

(1 G) Josh Jenkins ***** (Parkersburg/Parkersburg, WV/NC) 6-3.5/303/0.0:
This would be a steal rivaling Derrick Williams in 2005. Chances are slim, though, that Penn State can reel in this fish.

(24 T) Deon’tae Pannell **** (Wylie E. Groves/Beverly Hills, MI/081007) 6-5/305/0.0:
Pannell is a very nice pickup from a key rival’s state. He has size similar to former All-American Levi Brown, but I’m not too sure about his 40 time.

(150 T) Mike Farrell ** (Shady Side Academy/Pittsburgh, PA/NC) 6-6/272/5.45:
Other than his size, there’s not much to go by with Farrell. Like the wide receiver situation, he could add some valuable depth to the unit.

Defensive Backs: 1 Committed – For a while, I was worried about the defensive backfield. But now I’ve calmed down a bit. Not because of this recruiting class, though. Now that King is off to the NFL, some questions were brought up about how things will shift around. I’m not concerned with 2008 as much as 2009 and beyond.

(15 S) D’Anton Lynn **** (Celina/Celina, TX/111007) 6-1/177/4.5:
Lynn’s speed will give Penn State the option to move him around once he gets on campus. Don’t be surprised to see him working out in several spots.

(24 CB) Jarred Holley (Easton Area/Easton, PA/NC) 5-9/170/4.5:
You can never have too many corners to choose from.

(47 CB) Kevin Whaley (Salem/Virginia Beach, VA/NC) 5-9/170/4.45:
See above.

Linebackers: 3 Committed – I don’t get this. For about three seasons now, Penn State has constantly said how strong and deep they are at linebacker. So, why then are they picking up guys like this? I will certainly not argue against having this kind of trio on the roster, but after last season’s great class of ‘backers, why was this strongest yet again?

(4) Mike Yancich **** (Trinity/Washington, PA/062607) 6-2/219/4.5:
Yancich and Penn State hope the leadership he displayed at the All-American Bowl will translate well into the next level. Usually Penn State linebackers meet their expectations coming out of high school.

(5) Michael Zordich **** (Cardinal Mooney/Youngstown, OH/060107) 6-2/210/0.0:
One thing Penn State linebackers could improve is coverage. Zordich gives that area a boost.

(9) Michael Mauti **** (Mandeville/Mandeville, LA/062307) 6-2/220/4.6:
Mauti is quickly rising up the charts in the eyes of Penn Staters. All three of these guys will probably red shirt.

Defensive Linemen: 3 Committed – Just like the offensive line, you can always have more defensive linemen. Although the Penn State front four is young, graduation comes quicker than we think, and some of those guys could be off to the NFL early, if they keep it up. Look for the 2009 class to be a huge year in this unit as well.

(15 E) Jack Crawford **** (St. Augustine Prep/Richland, NJ/082607) 6-6/250/4.55:
His mammoth size offers great possibilities in passing situations. Crawford’s arms reach higher than most offensive linemen can. But it’s his reported speed that has heads turning. If he can get the technique down, he’ll be on the field in 2009. Will most likely red shirt.

(NR E) Joe Jones * (Green Run/Virginia Beach, VA/NC) 6-3/245/4.8:
Depth pickup.


(46 T) Pete Massaro *** (Marple Newtown/Newtown Square, PA/082007) 6-4/245/0.0:
Depth pickup.

(NR T) James Terry ** (Brandywine/Wilmington, DE/072807) 6-2/294/0.0:
Depth pickup.

When I say “depth pickup” I don’t mean that the guy is worthless outside of filling space. Depth is one of the most important parts of winning championships. We’ll take another look at Penn State’s recruiting class after signing day.