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Nana Asiedu
★★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 275 pounds
Hometown: Stafford, Va.
High school: North Stafford
Nation: #8 OT | #97 ovr.
State: #1 OT | #3 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Clemson, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia
The skinny: U.S. Army All-American. Coveted for his size and athleticism, many had him pegged for the defending national champs, but a visit to Happy Valley won him over, and he committed over Blue-White weekend. Standout basketball player who has been bulking up after choosing football, giving him a high ceiling.
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Judge Culpepper
★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 275 pounds
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High school: H.B. Plant
Nation: #20 SDE | #466 ovr.
State: #7 DE | #82 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Florida, LSU, Michigan, Alabama
The skinny: Son of former nine-year NFL defensive line veteran Brad Culpepper, who played mostly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he turned down dad’s alma mater, Florida, to pick Penn State. Athletic enough to play tight end but has a frame that compares to current Lion Ryan Buchholz, allowing him to play at end or tackle.
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Jahan Dotson
★★★★
Position: Wide receiver
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-11, 170 pounds
Hometown: Nazareth, Pa.
High school: Nazareth Area
Nation: #35 WR | #185 ovr.
State: #1 WR | #5 ovr.
Chose PSU over: UCLA, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State
The skinny: A late surprise, the coaching change out at UCLA made him rethink his verbal commitment there. After initially saying he would wait until February to sign, a late push by the Lions was enough to land the state’s top wideout on Wednesday. Scored 19 total touchdowns as a senior as he caught 62 passes for 889 yards.
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Bryce Effner
★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 280 pounds
Hometown: Aurora, Ill.
High school: Metea Valley
Nation: #48 OT | #612 ovr.
State: #1 OT | #8 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Duke, North Carolina, Maryland, Minnesota
The skinny: A product of offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne’s connections in the Midwest landed the Lions a commitment from Illinois or Indiana for the fifth straight signing class. Like Penn State’s other offensive line recruits in this class, his defining characteristic is his mobility. Big enough to play tackle but could slot in anywhere.
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Pat Freiermuth
★★★★
Position: Tight end
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds
Hometown: Merrimac, Mass.
High school: Brooks School
Nation: #8 TE | #215 ovr.
State: #1 TE | #1 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, Boston College
The skinny: The top-rated player in Massachusetts could have a big opportunity when he arrives next summer as Penn State’s tight end spot will be an open competition, and classmate Zack Kuntz may need more time to fill out. Lions secured his commitment early, helping them fend off schools like Notre Dame later on.
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Daniel George
★★★★
Position: Wide receiver
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
Hometown: Fort Washington, Md.
High school: Oxon Hill
Nation: #44 WR | #256 ovr.
State: #1 WR | #8 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Virginia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, Wisconsin
The skinny: Strong all-around receiver who has a nose for the end zone, having scored a whopping 31 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Oxon Hill. Maryland’s top-rated wideout closed out a big run of five commitments off of the Lions’ annual Lasch Bash event in July. Known for his explosiveness rather than top-end speed.
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Trent Gordon
★★★
Position: Defensive back
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot, 180 pounds
Hometown: Spring, Texas
High school: Manvel
Nation: #38 CB | #391 ovr.
State: #4 CB | #48 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, UCLA
The skinny: Will enroll in January. A safety in high school, projects more as a cornerback in college. Well-regarded prospect for a state title contender playing against some of Texas’ top competition. His spring commitment was a sign of the Lions’ increased efforts in the Lone Star State, where they hope to build a pipeline.
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Aeneas Hawkins
★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-2, 280 pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High school: Moeller
Nation: #30 DT | #429 ovr.
State: #1 DT | #16 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Cincinnati, Ohio State, Alabama, USC
The skinny: NFL bloodlines include father Artrell Hawkins, a long-time cornerback, and uncle Andrew Hawkins, a wide receiver. A stress fracture in his foot kept him in a walking boot for much of his senior season, dropping his ranking a bit, but successful programs from across the country wanted to add his athleticism and intangibles.
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Isaiah Humphries
★★★
Position: Defensive back
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
High school: Sachse
Nation: #36 S | #502 ovr.
State: #8 S | #67 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Baylor, Oregon
The skinny: Will enroll in January. Son of former Penn State standout cornerback Leonard Humphries. The lone projected safety in the class after legal issues forced the Lions to drop Philadelphia’s Isheem Young. Family ties helped open the door, but a visit to campus sealed the deal despite interest from school closer to home.
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Charlie Katshir
★★★
Position: Linebacker
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
Hometown: Camp Hill, Pa.
High school: Cumberland Valley
Nation: #35 OLB | #520 ovr.
State: #4 LB | #19 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Boston College, Pitt, West Virginia, Virginia
The skinny: Primarily a safety at Cumberland Valley, projects as an outside linebacker who can play in space and excel in coverage. One of the state’s most versatile players who also handled receiving, punting, kicking and return duties. Likely headed for a redshirt to add to his frame and recover from a shoulder injury.
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Zack Kuntz
★★★★
Position: Tight end
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-7, 235 pounds
Hometown: Camp Hill, Pa.
High school: Camp Hill
Nation: #4 TE | #119 ovr.
State: #1 TE | #3 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Stanford, Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State
The skinny: Will enroll in January. All-state selection who also excels in basketball and track. His resume, along with his size, has drawn some comparisons to Mike Gesicki, as he caught 40 passes for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, highlighted by a monster 303-yard game with three scores in November.
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Will Levis
★★★
Position: Quarterback
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds
Hometown: Madison, Conn.
High school: Xavier
Nation: #25 pro QB | #628 ovr.
State: #1 QB | #2 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Iowa, Florida State, Ole Miss, Syracuse
The skinny: Late bloomer who saw his stock rise greatly heading into his senior year, as he went from campus to campus to work out in person for several major schools, earning scholarships from nearly all of them, including the Lions. A mobile but pass-first prospect who topped 2,700 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior.
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Jesse Luketa
★★★★
Position: Linebacker
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-2, 240 pounds
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
High school: Mercyhurst Prep (Pa.)
Nation: #9 ILB | #237 ovr.
State: #1 LB | #10 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Ohio State, Florida, Georgia, Stanford
The skinny: Will enroll in January, which is very good news for the Lions given their depth issues with box linebackers that will come to a head in 2018. Canadian import who was coveted from schools coast to coast while playing in Erie. Strong, instinctual tackler who happens to be one of the most vocal leaders in the class.
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Jordan Miner
★★★
Position: Defensive back
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot, 180 pounds
Hometown: Wesley Chapel, Fla.
High school: Wiregrass Ranch
Nation: #36 CB | #374 ovr.
State: #14 CB | #66 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee
The skinny: Some dramatic coaching turnover down in Florida led to some questions late in the process as to whether Miner would stay near home. Between his height and nose for the ball, reminds of another Tampa-area corner in Amani Oruwariye. Played all over the field on offense, defense and special teams.
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P.J. Mustipher
★★★★
Position: Defensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 300 pounds
Hometown: Owings Mills, Md.
High school: McDonogh
Nation: #6 DT | #111 ovr.
State: #2 DT | #5 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Notre Dame, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Coaches love him for more than his work on the football field, as he also is a state champion wrestler, a prized skill for defensive linemen. Projects as a tackle all the way and his dozens of offers from around the country suggest that many schools think he can anchor a line himself.
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Micah Parsons
★★★★★
Position: Athlete
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
High school: Harrisburg
Nation: #1 WDE | #4 ovr.
State: #1 DE | #1 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Oklahoma, Georgia, Nebraska, Alabama
The skinny: U.S. Army All-American. Polynesian Bowl All-American. Will enroll in January. The highest-rated recruit in the James Franklin era and Penn State’s highest since Derrick Williams in the 2005 class. Decommitted and circled back to sign with the Lions. Will open spring practice at middle linebacker but could move to defensive end.
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Jake Pinegar
★★★
Position: Kicker
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
High school: Ankeny Centennial
Nation: #9 PK | #1,765 ovr.
State: #1 PK | #8 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Indiana, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green
The skinny: Penn State badly needs a kicker with the impending graduation of Tyler Davis and transfer of Alex Barbir. Will join a competition with a handful of returnees, including Carson Landis, Nick DeAngelis, incoming walk-on Rafael Checa and possibly punter Blake Gillikin. Lions like his leg strength and his athleticism.
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Juice Scruggs
★★★★
Position: Offensive lineman
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 270 pounds
Hometown: Erie, Pa.
High school: Cathedral Prep
Nation: #4 C | #233 ovr.
State: #1 C | #9 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, LSU
The skinny: Originally from Ohio, played his football in Erie, leading Cathedral Prep to back-to-back Class 4A state championships. Two-time all-state selection who played tackle but will likely be at center or guard for the Lions. Regardless, he checks in as the highest-rated offensive lineman in Pennsylvania.
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Justin Shorter
★★★★★
Position: Wide receiver
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Hometown: Monmouth Junction, N.J.
High school: South Brunswick
Nation: #3 WR | #15 ovr.
State: #1 WR | #1 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Michigan, Miami, Virginia Tech, Rutgers
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Some recruiting services have New Jersey’s top prospect rated as the nation’s best wideout thanks to his size, speed, leaping ability and overall talent. Scored 15 total touchdowns as a senior, finding the end zone in all but one game despite playing in a run-heavy option offense.
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Ricky Slade
★★★★★
Position: Running back
Ht./Wt.: 5-foot-9, 185 pounds
Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.
High school: C.D. Hylton
Nation: #2 APB | #24 ovr.
State: #1 RB | #1 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, North Carolina
The skinny: Under Armour All-American. Gatorade Player of the Year for Virginia. Fell just short of 2,000 yards rushing as a senior and scored 35 touchdowns, adding 22 receptions. Speed and shiftiness are what he’s best known for, but at 5-foot-9 he can still run between the tackles and serve as an every-down back. May play in 2018.
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Nick Tarburton
★★★★
Position: Linebacker
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 250 pounds
Hometown: Green Lane, Pa.
High school: Pennridge
Nation: #11 ILB | #261 ovr.
State: #2 LB | #11 ovr.
Chose PSU over: Michigan State, Pitt, Maryland, Syracuse
The skinny: Will enroll in January. PIAA Class 6A all-state selection. Hailing from a family of Nittany Lions fans, it was little surprise this recruitment ended early. An edge rusher in high school, he has the frame to grow into a defensive lineman down the road depending on how Penn State’s linebacker situation ends up shaking out.
— Compiled by Derek Levarse
