Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109500
ggie Thomas ANDREW NELSON PROMISE KEEPERS Maggie Thomas PSU���s latest class shows its resolve by standing firm with the Lions T ake away the unprecedented NCAA sanctions. The aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The uncertainty that has surrounded the Penn State football program for the past 12 months, and all the other mitigating factors that have invariably been part of the discussion whenever conversation has turned to Penn State���s most recent recruiting efforts. Take it all away and focus on the class itself. That class ��� 17 members strong on signing day, Feb. 6 ��� features some of the highest-rated, most talented prospects Penn State has signed in eight years. The Class of 2013 is highlighted by Christian Hackenberg, a unanimous five-star quarterback who is rated the top pro-style passer in the country by ESPN.com, and Adam Breneman, who is ESPN���s top-rated tight end. Not since 2005 ��� the year the Nittany Lions landed Bill Anderson Justin King and Derrick Williams ��� has Penn State signed two such highly touted recruits. The class also features four-star prospects Brendan Mahon (the thirdbest offensive guard in the country as rated by Rivals.com) and Garrett Sickels (Rivals��� fourth-best weakside defensive end in the country). And in addition, there are a couple of highly regarded linebackers, four under -the-radar defensive backs, three linemen, two versatile offensive threats for Bill O���Brien to experiment with, an athletic pass rusher and a junior college quarterback. Now add back the unrest that most of these recruits have endured since they verbally committed to Penn State. While this class has impressed many with its top-end talent, it also will be remembered at Penn State for its resilience, its willingness to endure a groundswell of negative media attention