Blue White Illustrated

RYAN���S TAKE On March 29, Nelson made his second trip to Penn State since the Ohio State game on Oct. 27. Nelson visited Boston College, Northwestern and Ohio State earlier this spring, and he was expected to visit Rutgers the weekend of April 12-13. I believe Penn State has a good chance to be in the mix when he cuts his list down to five schools later this spring. It���s tough to say which lineman is No. 1 on Penn State���s recruiting board, but I believe Nelson has the most potential. THOMAS HOLLEY DT | 6-5 | 290 | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Lincoln OFFERS Alabama, Baylor, Boston College, Clemson, Connecticut, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Massachusetts, Miami, Mississippi, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Rutgers, Syracuse RANKING Three-star prospect RYAN���S TAKE Holley received an offer from Penn State when he visited for junior day in February. He came with his mother during that trip, which was their first unofficial visit to any Football Bowl Subdivision program. He has since visited Rutgers and will most likely check out Florida, Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Ole Miss. I believe Ricky Walker is ahead of Holley on Penn State���s recruiting board, but Holley is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the entire Mid-Atlantic region. He���ll take his time making a decision, so it���s still too early to say where Penn State truly stands. RICKY WALKER DT | 6-2 | 270 | Hampton, Va. | Bethel OFFERS Boston College, Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Illinois, LouisianaLafayette, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin RANKING Four-star prospect RYAN���S TAKE Walker visited Penn State on March 23. It was his second trip to University Park since last summer when he attended the school���s summer football camp. You could say that Andrew Brown, the No. 1 defensive tackle PENN STATE COMMITMENTS* NAME Mark Allen Troy Reeder Nick Scott POS RB LB Ath. HT 5-7 6-3 5-11 WT 185 232 180 HOME Hyattsville, Md. Wilmington, Del. Fairfax, Va. SCHOOL DeMatha Salesianum School Fairfax HT 6-3 6-2 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-6 6-2 6-4 5-10 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-11 WT 190 175 290 245 292 270 175 300 192 245 155 185 290 212 282 280 200 210 170 181 270 197 HOME Upper Marlboro, Md. Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Nashville, Tenn. Scranton, Pa. Chesapeake, Va. Alexandria, Va. Monroeville, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Middletown, Del. Woodbridge, Va. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Aliquippa, Pa. Brooklyn, N.Y. Washington, Pa. Red Bank, N.J. Hiawatha, Kan. Monroeville, Pa. Paramus, N.J. Swansboro, N.C. Baltimore, Md. Hampton, Va. Lima, Ohio SCHOOL Wise Mt. Lebanon Montgomery Bell Scranton Prep Oscar Smith T.C. Williams Gateway Lackawanna College Middletown Woodbridge Senior St. Thomas Aquinas Aliquippa Abraham Lincoln Washington Red Bank Catholic Hiawatha Gateway Paramus Catholic Swansboro Gilman Bethel Lima Central Catholic THE HOT LIST* NAME Marcus Allen Troy Apke Alex Bars Noah Beh Andrew Brown Jeremiah Clarke Anthony Davis Jermaine Eluemunor** Chris Godwin Da���Shawn Hand Al Harris Dravon Henry Thomas Holley Shai McKenzie Quenton Nelson Peyton Newell Montae Nicholson Jabrill Peppers DeAndre Thompkins Troy Vincent Jr. Ricky Walker Darius West POS Saf. WR OT OL DL DE DB OL WR DE DB Saf. DT RB OL DE DB DB Ath. DB DT DB * As of April 8 **Junior college prospect in the nation, is at the top of the recruiting board at tackle, but Penn State is unlikely to sign Brown. That would make Walker, who received a scholarship offer in October, the top defensive tackle prospect with whom the staff truly has a chance. We believe Penn State will be near the top of his list after he visits a few more schools throughout the spring. Larry Johnson is a selling point, but it���s actually Charles London who has done a great job selling Penn State. DRAVON HENRY DB | 6-0 | 185 | Aliquippa, Pa.| Aliquippa OFFERS Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kent State, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, Tennessee, Toledo, Washington, West Virginia RANKING Four-star prospect RYAN���S TAKE Henry announced his top four recently, with Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Ohio State making the cut. It must be emphasized that those four are all tentative, so schools could be added or subtracted. I believe Henry is the staff���s No. 1 defensive back prospect overall, since he could play any of the three secondary positions. He could even play offense if needed, meaning that he has the versatility the staff is looking for as it tries to cope with its scholarship limitations. I believe he���s the best prospect in Pennsylvania. Look for him to potentially visit for the Blue-White Game.

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