Scout.com: Class of 2009 Pledge Board

Football Classes: 2009 2008 2007 2006

John Urschel

Honors:

First Team All-State defense (2008)
Projected to play guard for PSU
Pursued by several Ivy League schools
Hard Hits:
Well versed in run and pass blocking
Received a lot of interest late in process
Impressive footwork for his size
Also an impressive student
Chose Penn State over: Boston College, Stanford, Syracuse, Buffalo
Story: Urschel Pledge to PSU
Name: Shawney Kersey (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Woodbury, N.J. (Woodbury)
Commitment: January 17, 2009
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 lbs.
40 Time: 4.45 seconds
Recruited by: Mike McQueary
Honors:
35 catches for 534 yards and four TDs (2007)
Considered among best WR prospects in mid-Atlantic
Runs a 10.4-seconds in the 100-meter dash
Hard Hits:
Good combination of size and receiving skills
Also a track standout in the 100M and 200M
Benches 275 pounds, squats 405 pounds
Originally committed to Rutgers
Chose Penn State over: Rutgers, Iowa, Michigan State, West Virginia, Virginia
Story: Kersey Reverses Field
Name: Jordan Hill (picture from FOS)
Hometown (High School): Steelton, Pa. (Steelton-Highspire)
Commitment: January 3, 2009
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 280 lbs.
40 Time: 4.85 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
First Team All State (2008)
HM All State on both OL and DL (2007)
Considered among top DL prospects in Pa.
Hard Hits:
80 tackles and seven sacks (2008)
Good power and agility off the line
3.7 core GPA
Originally committed to Rutgers
Chose Penn State over: Rutgers and Pitt
Story: Hill Picks Dream School
Name: Kevin Newsome (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Portsmouth, Va. (Chruchland)
Commitment: December 16, 2008
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215 lbs.
40 Time: 4.50 seconds
Recruited by: Jay Paterno
Honors:
Scout four star prospect
Ranked No. 10 QB nationally
US Army Bowl selection
Hard Hits:
Passed for 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns (2007)
Ran for over 500 yards and scored 11 touchdowns (2007)
Also a track standout in sprinting and hurdles
Impressive combination of size, agility and speed
Originally committed to Michigan
Early enrollee at PSU
Chose Penn State over: Michigan, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, BC, West Virginia
Story: Newsome Joins Nittany Lions
Name: Gerald Hodges (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Paulsboro, N.J. (Paulsboro)
Commitment: December 13, 2008
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210 lbs.
40 Time: 4.55 seconds
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden
Honors:
First Team All-State (2008)
First Team All-Conference (2008, 2007)
All-South Jersey (2008, 2007)
Scout four star prospect
Ranked No. 4 WLB nationally
Hard Hits:
Great power, agility and speed
Originally committed to Rutgers
Early enrollee at Penn State
Chose Penn State over: Iowa, Rutgers, Maryland, West Virginia, Syracuse
Story: Hodges Reverses Field
Name: Gary Gilliam (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Hershey, Pa. (Milton Hershey)
Commitment: November 13, 2008
Position: Tight End
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 255 lbs.
40 Time: 4.80 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
Scout's No. 40 TE nationally
Attended Penn State football camp
Consisdered among the top TE prospects in the mid-Atlantic
Hard Hits:
Two-way starter for Hershey
Impressive size and agility
Also plays basketball for Hershey
Chose Penn State over: Virginia, UConn, Temple, Pitt
Story: Gilliam Picks PSU
Name: Anthony Fera (picture from FOS)
Hometown (High School): Houston, Tx. (St. Pius X)
Commitment: October 22, 2008
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230 lbs.
40 Time: NA seconds
Recruited by: Kermit Buggs
Honors:
Considered by some to be the top kicker nationally
Has 50-yard+ range
Top 10 Chris Sailer punter and kicker
Hard Hits:
Incredibly powerful leg.
Has 50-yard+ range on field goals.
Can consistently kick college set touchbacks.
Chose Penn State over: Michigan, Kansas State
Story: Fera Reverses Field
Name: Devon Smith (picture from FOS)
Hometown (High School): Waldorf, Md. (Westlake)
Commitment: September 30, 2008
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'7.5"
Weight: 145 lbs.
40 Time: 4.35 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
Among the fastest prospects in Maryland, Mid-Atlantic
100, 200 meter state champion (2007)
All-State sprint team (2007)
Hard Hits:
Teammates with Stephon Morris and Derrick Thomas.
Impressive speed and burst off the line.
Attended same HS as Derrick Williams.
Chose Penn State over: Notre Dame, Rutgers, Stanford, Maryland (over 15 offers)
Story: Lions Add Another Md. Standout
Name: Glenn Carson (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Manahawkin, N.J. (Southern Regional)
Commitment: September 29, 2008
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs.
40 Time: 4.6 seconds
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden
Honors:
Scout four-star prospect (2008)
Scout No. 7 middle linebacker nationally
Third team AP All-State (2007)
Hard Hits:
Aggressive style of play.
Also a solid high school wrestler.
Holds a cumulative 3.45 GPA
Chose Penn State over: Notre Dame, Rutgers, Stanford, Maryland (over 15 offers)
Story: Carson Pledges to LB U.
Name: Nate Cadogan (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Portsmouth, Oh. (Portsmouth)
Commitment: July 11, 2008
Position: Tight End/Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 280 lbs.
40 Time: 5.0 seconds
Recruited by: Jay Paterno
Honors:
Emfinger Super Combine Freak (2008)
Considered a top lineman prospect out of Ohio.
Hard Hits:
Good athleticism for his size.
Impressive combination of size, strength and agility.
Brother of starting PSU left tackle Gerald Cadogan
Chose Penn State over: Syracuse, Purdue, Northwestern, Cincinnati
Story: Cadogan Talks PSU Pledge
Name: Christian Kuntz (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Camp Hill, Pa. (Trinity)
Commitment: July 4, 2008
Position: Wide Receiver/Safety
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 190 lbs.
40 Time: 4.45 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
First team All-Area (2007)
First team (RB), Second team All-Conference WR (2007)
Third team All-State at safety (2007)
Hard Hits:
Carried 115 times for 813 yards and twelve touchdowns (2007)
Caught 21 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns (2007)
30-inch vertical, benches 250 pounds and squats 400 pounds
Chose Penn State over: Connecticut, Buffalo, Akron
Story: Kuntz Picks PSU
Name: Curtis Dukes (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Philadelphia, NY (Indian River)
Commitment: July 2, 2008
Position: Running Back
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235 lbs.
40 Time: 4.50 seconds
Recruited by: Mike McQueary
Honors:
Third team Class A All-State (2006)
All Conference selection (2006)
All Section selection (2006)
Ranked No. 38 running back nationally by Scout
Hard Hits:
Rushed for 900 yards and seven touchdowns (2007)
Ran for 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns (2006)
Chose Penn State over: Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
Story: Dukes to Penn State
Name: Adam Gress (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): West Mifflin, Pa. (West Mifflin)
Commitment: July 2, 2008
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 290 lbs.
40 Time: 5.2 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
Impressive performances at Michigan and Pitt camps
All Nike Combine Team selection
71.76 SPARQ Rating
Hard Hits:
Benches 315 pounds, squats 340 pounds
Has a 24-inch vertical jump
Impressive size and agility combination
Lifelong Penn State fan
Chose Penn State over: Michigan, West Virginia, Rutgers
Story: Gress Joins Lions
Name: Curtis Drake (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Philadelphia, Pa. (W. Phila. Catholic)
Commitment: June 11, 2008
Position: Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175 lbs.
40 Time: 4.45 seconds
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden
Honors:
Versatile athlete played QB, WR, RB
Could play a variety of positions at next level
Attended PSU's junior day and summer camp, impressive performance
Hard Hits:
At QB made 75 of 143 passes for 1325 yards and 20 touchdowns (2007)
Had 74 carries for 597 yards and nine more touchdowns (2007)
Good speed and agility out of the pocket
Chose Penn State over: Georgia Tech, Northwestern
Story: Drake to PSU
Name: Brandon Felder (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Oxon Hill, Md. (Oxon Hill)
Commitment: May 27, 2008
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 175 lbs.
40 Time: 4.40 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
First Team All-County selection (2007)
First Team Prince George's 4A All-League selection (2007)
All-Met Honorable Mention (2007)
Hard Hits:
942 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (2007)
Benches 215 pounds and squats 295 pounds
Competes in 100-meter, 200-meter and 300-meter events
Boasts a 35-inch vertical leap and 4.15 second shuttle
Highest SPARQ (40, bench, shuttle, vertical) at Baltimore's Nike Camp (2007)
Chose Penn State over: Boston College, Maryland
Story: Felder Picks PSU
Name: Sean Stanley (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Gaithersburg, Md. (Gaithersburg)
Commitment: May 27, 2008
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 245 lbs.
40 Time: 4.75 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
First team Washington Post All-Met (2007)
Scout four star prospect
No. 19 DE prospect nationally
First Team All-State (2007)
Honorable Mention All State (2006)
Hard Hits:
37 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and forced 9 fumbles (2007)
Competed in shot-put (60-foot range) and discus
Wears a size 17 shoe
Chose Penn State over: Michigan, Georgia, Miami, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Maryland (over 25 offers)
Story: Stanley Selects State

Name: Stephon Morris (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Greenbelt, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Commitment: May 24, 2008
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 175 lbs.
40 Time: 4.40 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson
Honors:
Overall Defensive MVP BigTime Showcase (2008)
Defensive Back MVP of BigTime Showcase (2008)
Clocked among fastest players at Maryland Nike Camp (2008)
Hard Hits:
38 tackles, 18 pass breakups, three interceptions (2007)
Two forced fumbles, recovered one, four return touchdowns (2007)
Two-way player with 12 touchdowns at wideout (2007)
Fast, aggressive defensive back with strong coverage skills
Attends same high school as current Lion Derrick Williams
Chose Penn State over: Illinois, Rutgers, Louisville
Story: Morris Pledges to PSU

Name: Eric Shrive (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Scranton, Pa. (West Scranton)
Commitment: May 15, 2008
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 300 lbs.
40 Time: 5.10 seconds
Recruited by: Bill Kenney
Honors:
- Scout five-star prospect
- Ranked No. 3 OT prospect nationally
- Ranked No. 23 prospect overall
- First team All-State Class AAA (2007)
  Hard Hits:
- Excellent size, speed and footwork
- Great motor and ability to burst off the blocks
- Bench presses 350 pounds, squats 450 pounds
- Has a 3.44 core GPA
  Chose Penn State over: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, UCLA, Georgia (over 40 offers)
  Story: Shrive to PSU
  
  Name: Frank Figueroa (picture from FOS)
  Hometown (High School): Alexandria, Va. (Edison)
  Commitment: May 15, 2008
  Position: Offensive Guard
  Height: 6'4"
  Weight: 275 lbs.
  40 Time: 5.0 seconds
  Recruited by: Larry Johnson
  Honors:
  - AAA National All-League selection (2007)
  - Led team to 6-0 league record, 10-3 overall record (2007)
    Hard Hits:
  - Son of military father
  - Started playing football as high school freshman
  - Good agility and athleticism
    Chose Penn State over: William & Mary, interest from BC, Rutgers
    Story: Figueroa Pledges to PSU
    
    Name: Derrick Thomas (picture from FOS)
    Hometown (High School): Greenbelt, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
    Commitment: May 10, 2008
    Position: Cornerback
    Height: 6'0"
    Weight: 175 lbs.
    40 Time: 4.48 seconds
    Recruited by: Larry Johnson
    Honors:
    - Ranked No. 33 CB prospect nationally
    - Honorable Mention All-State at wideout (2007)
      Hard Hits:
    - Good speed and coverage skills
    - Played CB and WR, grabbing two TDs (2007)
    - Bench presses 265 pounds, vertical leap of 37 inches
    - Attends same high school as current Lion Derrick Williams
      Chose Penn State over: Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers
      Story: Thomas to PSU
      
      Name: Darrell Givens (picture from FOS)
      Hometown (High School): Indian Head, Md. (Lackey)
      Commitment: May 10, 2008
      Position: Cornerback
      Height: 6'1"
      Weight: 178 lbs.
      40 Time: 4.50 seconds
      Recruited by: Larry Johnson
      Honors:
      - Scout Four Star prospect
      - Ranked No. 7 CB prospect nationally
      - First Team All-State (2007)
      - First Team All-County (2007)
        Hard Hits:
      - 82 tackles, seven pass breakups, three interceptions (2007)
      - Four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries (2007)
      - Also returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns (2007)
      - Bench presses 225 pounds, squats 425 and has a 36-inch vertical jump
      - Originally committed to Ohio State
        Chose Penn State over: Ohio State, Florida, Illinois, USC, Miami (over 40 offers)
        Story: Givens Reverses Field
        
        Name: Stephen Obeng-Agyapong (picture from FOS)
        Hometown (High School): Bronx, N.Y. (John F. Kennedy)
        Commitment: May 10, 2008
        Position: Safety
        Height: 5'11"
        Weight: 185 lbs.
        40 Time: 4.50 seconds
        Recruited by: Kermit Buggs
        Honors:
        
        Second Team All-Borough selection (2007)
        All-City selection (2007)
        Hard Hits:
        Good speed with strong stride
        Runs track, including 55M, 100M and 4x100M events
        Played with current Lion Stephfon Green
        Chose Penn State over: Iowa, Maryland, UConn, Buffalo
        Story: Obeng-Agyapong Picks PSU
        
        Name: Mark Arcidiacono (picture from Scout)
        Hometown (High School): Philadelphia, Pa. (St. Joseph's)
        Commitment: April 29, 2008
        Position: Offensive Tackle
        Height: 6'5"
        Weight: 285 lbs.
        40 Time: 5.1 seconds
        Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden
        Honors:
        
        Second Team All-League (2007)
        Honorable Mention All-City (2007)
        Hard Hits:
        Bench presses 330 pounds
        Squats 465 pounds
        Good size/agility combination
        Chose Penn State over: Florida, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Syracuse (over 14 offers)
        Story: A Dream Come True for Arcidiacono
        
        Name: Malcolm Willis (picture from FOS)
        Hometown (High School): Indian Head, Md. (Lackey)
        Commitment: April 29, 2008
        Position: Safety/Quarterback
        Height: 6'1"
        Weight: 185 lbs.
        40 Time: 4.6 seconds
        Recruited by: Larry Johnson
        Honors:
        
        Second Team All-County (2007)
        First Team All-Area at quarterback (2007)
        Honorable Mention All-Conference selection (2007)
        Honorable Mention All-Met at safety (2007)
        Hard Hits:
        95 tackles, three interceptions (2007)
        Returned one interception for a touchdown (2007)
        Aggressive, physical style of play
        Solid fundamentals and footwork
        Close with current Lions A.J. Wallace and J.B. Walton
        Chose Penn State over: Maryland
        Story: Willis Wants to Be A Lion
        
        Name: Ty Howle (picture from Scout)
        Hometown (High School): Bunn, N.C. (Bunn)
        Commitment: March 24, 2008
        Position: Center
        Height: 6'3"
        Weight: 295 lbs.
        40 Time: 5.40 seconds
        Recruited by: Larry Johnson
        Honors:
        
        First Team All-State selection (2007)
        First Team All-Conference selection (2007)
        Conference Lineman of the Year
        Carries a a 3.9 core GPA and 4.2 weighted GPA
        Hard Hits:
        Good agility, runs a 4.8 short shuttle
        Bench pressed 400 pounds and squats 500 pounds
        Solid fundamentals and footwork
        Chose Penn State over: Navy, East Carolina
        Story: Lions Grab Howle

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