Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1138762
handful of the players who had already committed to Penn State. He was also given an opportunity during his most re- cent visit to get to know some of the play- ers already on the roster. "I got the opportunity to have lunch with Anthony Whigan, Juice Scruggs and C.J. Thorpe," Fashanu said. "They're a great group. We talked about a bunch of di6erent things, but what grabbed my at- tention was how tight everyone is. I think that's a testament to how close the entire [o6ensive line] is at Penn State. That speaks for Coach [Matt] Limegrover and how he just brings everyone together." In addition to Penn State, Fashanu earned scholarship o6ers from more than 20 other programs. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State and Oklahoma all extended o6ers, but it became clear in April that Florida, Michigan and Ohio State were among Penn State's top com- petitors. NORVAL BLACK Penn State picked up a wide receiver when Black, a juco prospect from Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa., announced for the Lions on June 9. Black had attended the sta6's 5rst prospect camp of the summer, putting together a very solid performance and earning an o6er from Franklin and re- ceivers coach Gerad Parker a7er it all wrapped up. He committed on the spot. "Norval is a great player and a great kid," Lackawanna o6ensive coordinator Josh Pardini said. "The sky is the limit, it really is. He only played ball for his fresh- man year at Lackwanna and as a senior [in high school]. He's the best I've ever seen at adjusting to the ball in the air. He also has legit 4.5 speed. "I love the kid. Wish I had 100 more of him on our team. He loves football." A native of Germantown, Md., Black caught 15 passes for 445 yards and 5ve touchdowns during his freshman season at Lackawanna. The 6-1, 167-pound re- ceiver was the 5rst player at his position to join Penn State's Class of 2020. JI'AYIR BROWN Penn State added its second juco prospect when Brown an- nounced his commitment on June 21. Originally from Trenton, N.J., he spent the past year at Lackawanna College, where he played immediately at corner- back. Brown totaled 40 tackles and 5ve interceptions as a freshman, but as Par- dini explained, cornerback isn't where he'll play at Penn State. "He's probably a safety or maybe even a linebacker at the next level," Pardini said. "He's similar to [Los Angeles Chargers linebacker] Kyzir White in a lot of ways. He played corner for us last year. He did a hell of a job, just because he's so talented, but moving forward I see him as a safety or even a box safety. We've been honest with him. We told him right from the start that he's probably going to grow into that role." Brown, who stands 6-0, 205 pounds, camped with Franklin and his sta6 the weekend before making his commitment. By the end of one-on-ones, it was clear that he was the best defensive back in at- tendance. He also tested well, running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. Kent State was the only other program that extended a scholarship o6er, but multiple Power Five programs had been trying to get Brown on campus to see him up-close. Penn State was the only school that was able to do that. Brown continues a pipeline between Penn State and Lackawanna that dates back to 2015 when o6ensive lineman Paris Palmer chose the Nittany Lions over South Carolina. The relationship really took o6 last year when o6ensive lineman Anthony Whigan and safety Jaquan Brisker both signed with the Lions, and next year Brown and Black will be joining them in University Park. Brown and Black both have to complete one more semester at Lackawanna in the fall. When they arrive at Penn State, they'll have three years to play two. "They were both starters from day one," Pardini said. "We knew we had to get them on the 5eld. The only reason Ji'Ayir played corner was because we were solid everywhere else. We had to get him on the 5eld. I think he's just a di6erence-maker. "Like Brisker, he can get you tackles for loss and rush o6 the edge, but he also has great ball skills, can play man coverage and zone coverage. This spring, we put him at free safety and played a [cover one], KEY COMMITMENT Izzard received his offer from Penn State a year ago. It was one of nearly 30 offers that he re- ceived before an- nouncing in June that he had chosen the Lions. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com