So how did Penn State do on the recruiting trail this year?
That's the question we put to the Scout.com national and regional analysts. See what they had to say below.
JAMIE NEWBERG
Scout.com National Recruiting Editor
“I like what Penn State has done this year in recruiting. Though the Nittany Lions are lacking offensive skill guys, this is a deep class everywhere else. They have one receiver in Derek Moye. I love his size and he will only get bigger.
“Jon Ditto is a kid that we feel will grow into a tight end/H-back type. He runs well, and has good athleticism and good hands. The Nittany Lions are signing a truckload of offensive linemen, led by tackle Josh Marks and guard Stefen Wisniewski. They are also re-signing J.B. Walton, a very talented and athletic guard/center prospect.
“Defensively, Devon Still is an athlete who could play inside or outside on the line. Linebacker Chris Colasanti is one of my favorite defensive prospects from the Class of 2007. He has it all and should be yet another great 'backer at PSU. I have really high expectations for him. Andrew Dailey and Nathan Stupar are darn good, too, and it looks like the Nittany Lions are set at this position. Nick Sukay is a safety who is tough and athletic, and one of the more underrated players in the Northeast. He leads a nice defensive back contingent.
“They are still in the mix for Broderick Green. He is a talented athlete who can play running back or fullback; a big kid with speed and athleticism. He can catch the ball too.”
ALLEN WALLACE
SuperPrep.com Publisher
“Right off the bat, I think it's just amazing the offensive line talent Penn State has coming in, both from the prep and junior college ranks. Penn State is not in the habit of taking junior college kids, but this year they got two offensive linemen [Ako Poti and Nerraw McCormack], and both are listed on the SuperPrep Juco Top 100 Team.
“I also like Stefen Wisniewski; he's one of the best guards in the country. Add in Josh Marks and J.B. Walton, and it really shows Joe Paterno is taking care of major needs on the offensive line.
“Broderick Green is a soft commit to USC, but I don't think many people on the West Coast believe he is going to become a Trojan. He hasn't committed [to Penn State] yet, but he would be a real feather in Paterno's cap.
“Defensively, I really like Devon Still on the line. Andrew Dailey is an exceptional athlete and Scout.com's No. 7 weak side linebacker. Nathan Stupar is the No. 7 strong side linebacker. And the other linebacker I have to mention is Chris Colasanti.
“This class doesn't have a quarterback, but we ranked them No. 6 in the country for quarterback recruiting last year.
“Overall, this class is top heavy with talent from the All-America sector.”
BOB LICHTENFELS
Scout.com Regional Recruiting Manager
“I like what Penn State has done. The Lions have filled holes along the offensive line. As any of us who follow Penn State football closely know, the offensive line has been an Achilles' heel for the program recently.
“There will always be detractors who ask why PSU went the junior-college route in this area. The answer is easy: It takes two years for most high school offensive linemen to develop into productive college players. Athletes like Nerraw McCormack and Ako Poti can serve as a stop-gap measure until the youngsters emerge.
“I have been high on safety Nick Sukay for a while now. I really think he will be an impact player at Penn State.
“And Ryan Breen won't get the publicity many of the other members of this class will, but his value should not be underestimated. He is one of the top punters in the Midwest, and with Jeremy Kapinos graduating Breen should vie for playing time immediately.”
-30-
