Blue White Illustrated

THE LATEST Johnson has now taken 6ve visits to Penn State since July 2018. He spoke highly of his most recent trip – for the Lasch Bash barbecue in July – and has already set his o9cial visit for the Michigan game on the weekend of Oct. 19-20. He used one of his o9cial visits to check out Iowa, and he's expected to use two more on Georgia and Michigan in either September or October. Johnson would like to make a decision by late Oc- tober or early November. I still feel good about Penn State's chances, but those o9cial visits will have a big impact on where Johnson ends up. How each team performs this season will also play a role. ANTON HARRISON OL | Washington, D.C. | Archbishop Carroll SCHOOLS Penn State, Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M THE LATEST Following a few decom- mitments from o8ensive linemen, Har- rison is back in play. He's not planning to announce until the Under Armour All- America Game in January, and that could help Penn State's chances. But it also feels like both sides are lukewarm on each other. He'll continue to visit Penn State, but o9cial visits this fall will have a big impact on where Harrison ends up. IBRAHIM TRAORE OL | Bronx, N.Y. | Frederick Douglass SCHOOLS Penn State, Indiana, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pur- due, Rutgers, Temple, Tennessee, West Virginia THE LATEST Traore earned an offer from Penn State after camping with the staff on July 26. Athleticism has never been an issue, and he's now moving in the right direction academically, so it was an easy decision for the coaches to extend an offer. Traore had always made it clear that he coveted an offer from the Nittany Lions. As long as he continues to improve academically, I think there's a strong chance that Tra- ore ends up in Penn State's class. He's someone to watch closely over the next month. DEVIN WILLOCK OL | Paramus, N.J. | Paramus Catholic SCHOOLS Penn State, Boston College, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Rutgers, Virginia THE LATEST Willock earned an o8er from Penn State on June 26. He was ac- tually close to announcing a commit- ment to the Lions in early July, but the sta8 asked him to visit the school 6rst. He did that on July 27, attending the Lasch Bash, and he came away speaking highly of the trip. But contacts have hinted that Franklin and Matt Limegrover want to see some 6lm from the beginning of the season before they accept a commitment. For now, I'm pri- marily focused on Traore, but Willock could still end up in this class. DEFENSE ZURIAH FISHER DE/LB | Aliquippa, Pa. | Aliquippa SCHOOLS Penn State, Michigan State, Texas A&M THE LATEST Fisher was on the verge of committing to Michigan State in early August, but a:er speaking with Penn State's sta8 about his plans, Franklin and Sean Spencer were able to convince him to take an o9cial visit to Penn State 6rst. Nothing had been set as of mid- August, but that o9cial visit should take place in either September or October, as Fisher still wants to make his decision in the next few months. We know Texas A&M is also pushing for an o9cial visit, but the two Big Ten schools are at the top of his list. Until he visits again, Michigan State has to be considered a slight favorite. But the fact that he's planning to give them another look should leave the Lions feeling encour- aged. SEAN MARTIN DE | Bluefield, W.Va. | Bluefield SCHOOLS Penn State, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Purdue, Virginia Tech, West Virginia THE LATEST On Aug. 1, Martin backed out of his commitment to North Car- olina. He's already visited Penn State once, although a few of our colleagues believe that West Virginia is in the best position. We know he's planning o9cial visits to WVU and Kentucky, but Penn State will likely push for a visit at some point this season. RUBEN HYPPOLITE LB | Hollywood, Fla. | McArthur SCHOOLS Committed to Maryland; considering Penn State and Alabama THE LATEST Hyppolite may be part of the Terps' class, but he's planning to take an o9cial visit to Penn State this season. We know Alabama is also show- ing interest, but the Crimson Tide are believed to have a few linebackers ahead of him. Penn State wants to add another linebacker to its class, so Hyppolite could be someone to watch closely in the coming months. He's already told re- porters that he will take o9cial visits to all three schools this season, although no dates had been set as of mid-August. TYREEM POWELL LB/Saf. | Vineland, N.J. | Vineland SCHOOLS Committed to Virginia Tech; considering Penn State. THE LATEST Penn State extended an o8er to Powell in early August, but ac- cording to contacts, the coaches would like to see how he plays in the beginning of the 2019 season before going all out to 7ip his commitment. We know they've also invited him to attend either the Buf- falo or Pitt game early in the season. We'll have a much better feel for where he stands on the sta8's board in about a month. For now, he's someone to keep an eye on. ANTOINE SAMPAH LB | Woodbridge, Va. | Woodbridge SCHOOLS Committed to LSU; consid- ering Penn State. THE LATEST Of the top prospects who have already committed elsewhere, Sampah appears to be the most inter- ested. He had been planning to attend the Lasch Bash in July but was forced to stay home a:er a late change of plans. He's already informed us that he intends to take an o9cial visit to Penn State this D E F E N S E

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