Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1439730
5 4 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M ing the Whiteout Camp in early June, he ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and a 4.4-second shuttle — very impressive numbers for a player of his size. From that point forward, PSU went all out to land Carter. The rangy linebacker earned 20 total offers, with South Carolina and Ole Miss also being serious contenders, but an official visit to Penn State a few weeks after he camped solidified the Nittany Lions as the team to beat. He ended up committing on Aug. 1. As a senior, Carter totaled 80 tackles (57 solo, 23 assisted), 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles. An On3 Consensus four-star pros- pect, Carter ranks No. 226 nationally and seventh overall in Pennsylvania. KEON WYLIE 6-2 | 210 | Philadelphia, Pa. A do-it-all defender for Imhotep Charter, Wylie earned an offer from Penn State in April 2020. He visited schools for the first time in June, taking three official visits total to Penn State, Kentucky and Pitt. It was clear after his PSU visit that the Lions were the team to beat, and he ended up committing on July 3. A three-year team captain, Wylie helped lead Imhotep to the PIAA Class 5A title game in 2021, totaling 10 sacks on the season. His best year was as a sophomore, when he totaled 53 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. An On3 Consensus three-star prospect, Wylie will play in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 8. CORNERBACK CAM MILLER 6-0 | 180 | Jacksonville, Fla. Joining the class on July 26, Miller chose Penn State over Virginia Tech. Prior to his announcement, he took official visits to both schools, first to Virginia Tech, June 4-5, followed by Penn State, June 25-26. Overall, Miller earned 17 verbal scholarship offers. Miami, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, South Carolina and West Virginia were all involved, while Florida also made an offer late in the cycle before Dan Mullen was let go. This past season, Miller led Trinity Christian to a Florida Class 2A championship, and he accepted an invitation to play in the Polynesian Bowl. A four-star prospect according to the On3 Consen- sus, Miller ranks No. 211 nationally. He'll enroll at Penn State in January. SAFETY KJ WINSTON 6-1 | 191 | Columbia, Md. Winston earned an offer from Penn State in May 2020. Penn State has recruited DeMatha Catho- lic well over the years, but he wasn't able to visit State College until June 11-12 when he took an official visit. Both Michigan State and Maryland also earned official visits in June, with the Terrapins being Penn State's primary competitors. Winston ended up committing on July 31 during the Lasch Bash barbecue. A two-time team captain, Winston was named All-Met, as well as the state's defensive player of the year in 2021. He totaled 50 tackles, three intercep- tions and 10 pass breakups as a senior. An On3 Consensus four-star prospect, Winston ranks No. 328 nationally and fourth overall in Mary- land. MEHKI FLOWERS 6-0 | 185 | Harrisburg, Pa. Flowers got the Nittany Lions off to a great start in the new year, announcing his commitment to Penn State on Jan. 1, 2021. A four-star recruit, he is the No. 177 overall prospect in this cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, and the No. 5 prospect in Pennsylvania. The idea of staying home proved to be persuasive for the Harrisburg native, who chose the Lions over Arizona State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Flowers played both safety and wide receiver at Central Dauphin East. We expect him to start his college career at safety. CRISTIAN DRIVER 5-11 | 185 | Argyle, Texas Driver brings flexibility to the Nittany Lions. The son of former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl wide receiver Donald Driver, Cristian wanted to follow in his father's footsteps at one point, but he'll likely start at safety now, which is where most believe he fits best. Driver picked up his offer from Penn State in No- vember 2018 but wasn't able to travel to State College until June 2021 when he made his official visit. Wisconsin and a few Texas schools also pushed hard at times, but after that trip it was only a matter of time before he committed to Penn State. Driver ended his recruitment on July 29, 2021. A four-star prospect according to the On3 Consen- sus, Driver ranks No. 278 nationally. Receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield will go down as his lead recruiter, but Driver is coming to Penn State because of James Franklin, who coached his father during a season with the Packers. PUNTER ALEX BACCHETTA 6-2 | 205 | Atlanta, Ga. Bacchetta earned an offer from Penn State in April. Considered the nation's No. 1 punter by Kohl's Kicking, he comes from the same high school — Westminster — as former Penn State punter Blake Gillikin, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. Arkansas and Virginia also offered. The On3 Con- sensus ranks Bacchetta as the second-best punter in this cycle. ■ Greg Pickel, Nate Bauer and David Eckert contrib- uted to this report. Cristian Driver, the son of former Green Bay Packers All-Pro Donald Driver, could play offense or defense but is expected to begin his career at safety. PHOTO COURTESY THE DRIVER FAMILY