Penn State Sports Magazine
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6 8 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M F ollowing a very busy June in which James Franklin and his staff hosted a handful of pros- pects nearly every day, July was much more tame from a visit per- spective, largely because of a dead period that extended from June 28 to July 24. However, the final week in July did allow for in-per- son recruiting, and Penn State's coaching staff took full advantage of that opportunity, hosting two camps and more than 20 unof- ficial visits July 25-30. They wrapped up the week by hosting their most important recruiting event of the summer, the Lasch Bash barbecue, on July 31. An exclusive event that is at- tended predominantly by players who already hold a scholarship offer, the gathering was largely made up of Class of 2022 pros- pects who have already committed. However, there were still plenty of top prospects who remain uncommitted in attendance. Here's a look at some of the highlights: • Nineteen of the 24 committed players in Penn State's Class of 2022 attended, along with Class of 2023 of- fensive lineman Alex Birchmeier. There were 16 undecided players in atten- dance. Abdul Carter, a Philadelphia linebacker in the 2022 class, came into the event uncommitted but ended up joining the Nittany Lions after he got home that evening. • Aside from Carter, defensive end Tyreese Fearbry of Pittsburgh and of- fensive lineman Andre Roye of Balti- more were the other uncommitted play- ers in the Class of 2022 who made the trip. Fearbry committed to Penn State on July 4, only to open up his recruit- ment on July 29, two days before he at- tended the event. His decommitment came as a surprise to some, although we eventually learned that he took two un- official visits to Pitt earlier in the week. Penn State is still pursuing Fearbry, and we expect him to attend games at both Penn State and Pitt this season. • Roye announced a commitment date of Sept. 22 following the Lasch Bash. He visited all four of his top schools during the final week of July, beginning with North Carolina State on July 25. He then went to Rutgers on July 30 before stop- ping by both Penn State and Maryland the next day. As of the first week of August, it ap- peared as though Penn State and Mary- land were the two schools in the best position with Roye. Although Penn State's Class of 2022 is essentially full, we're under the impression that the staff would like to squeeze Roye in if he wants to commit next month. • Class of 2023 players made up the majority of the uncommitted prospects in attendance. Some notable names included quarterback Dante Moore of Detroit, cornerback Lamont Payne of Bridgeville, Pa., athletes Adon Shuler of Irvington, N.J., and Nyckoles Harbor of Washington, D.C., as well as linebackers Ta'Mere Robinson of Pittsburgh and Josiah Trotter of Philadelphia. • Following the event, Shuler announced that he's aiming to make a commitment on Aug. 15. He camped at Notre Dame a few days before visiting Penn State, so it was believed that he would end up at one of those two schools, although Maryland was also in his top three. • Payne's visit for the Lasch Bash was his third trip to Penn State this summer, as he previ- ously attended the Whiteout Camp on June 6, then took an unofficial visit on June 22. Pitt and West Virginia also got him on campus this summer, but we be- lieve the Nittany Lions are solid favorites heading into the season. • Moore was the top-ranked player in attendance. The four- star quarterback ranks 30th overall in the nation. Michigan and Notre Dame are believed to be the teams to beat, while Penn State is likely somewhere in his top five. • Linebackers Ta'Mere Robinson and Josiah Trotter both visited Penn State previously this summer, which made the trip for the Lasch Bash their second visit in two months. Both players rank in the Rivals100. Trotter is the son of for- mer Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jer- emiah Trotter, and he announced a top four of Penn State, Clemson, Ohio State and South Carolina on June 14. Robin- son visited Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Pitt this summer. • Harbor also ranks in the Rivals100, coming in at No. 92 overall. Listed as an athlete, he'll likely play tight end or defensive end at the college level. Even though he's already 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he's an All-American as a track and field prospect, having run the 100-meter race in 10.31 seconds earlier this summer at The Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Ore. ■ Lasch Bash Draws Uncommitted Prospects To PSU R Y A N S N Y D E R | S N Y D E R 4 2 0 8 8 @ G M A I L . C O M Four-star linebacker prospect Abdul Carter of Philadelphia's LaSalle College High committed to Penn State's Class of 2022 shortly after returning home from the Lasch Bash on July 31. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER R EC RU I T I N G N OT E BO O K