Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1454229
3 0 M A R C H 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 D eciding where you want to play Divi- sion I football isn't an easy process. In addition to building relationships with coaches, prospects have to sort through offers from schools that all have much to offer. It's a good problem to have, but it's not easy. Now, throw in not being able to visit schools in person, which happened to so many players in the class of 2022, and the difficulties are magnified. Or are they? Four-star tight end Jerry Cross didn't struggle with his decision to choose the Nittany Lions. He did so in July 2020, three months after receiving an offer from PSU and 17 months before he was able to sign a letter of intent. Cross picked the Lions over Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, in part because of the relationship he had developed with Ty- ler Bowen, who was coaching the team's tight ends at the time. Asked shortly after verbally commit- ting why he had ended his recruitment so quickly, Cross said, "It just feels like a perfect fit for me." "It feels like home, and I know they'll use me right and get the most out of my ability. They really develop guys, so I know they'll help me get to the next level," he added. "I just feel like between the school and the coaches, it offers me the best of both sides." When Bowen left to join the Jackson- ville Jaguars' staff in February 2021, there was speculation that Cross might begin exploring his options. He still hadn't been to Penn State and wouldn't be able to visit for another four months. A few schools tried to get a foot in the door at the time, but Cross never wa- vered. It helped that Penn State made an internal hire, quickly promoting gradu- ate assistant Ty Howle to replace Bowen. Howle, too, had built a strong relationship with Cross during his recruitment. "I was so happy when Coach Howle was named Coach Bowen's replacement," Cross said. "I was never really considering another school, but hearing that news just made all of that even easier for me. I just built such a good relationship with all of their coaches by then that it didn't impact me much. I was happy for Coach Bowen and also happy Coach Howle was getting an opportunity to prove himself." Cross would eventually see Penn State for the first time during his official visit, which took place June 25-26. He was one of about a dozen committed players who visited that weekend, giving him a feel for not only his future school, but his future teammates. "I couldn't have asked for a better first experience," said Cross, who is listed as the No. 258 player nationally and No. 12 tight end in the On3Consensus. "Being up there with all the guys and all the coaches that weekend was so much fun. I got the complete experience because it wasn't just about seeing the school, which I loved, but I also got to know the guys I'm going to call my brothers for the next four years. I loved it." ■ T h e n a t i o n 's 1 2 t h - ra n ke d t i g h t e n d i n t h e O n 3 Consensus, Cross committed to Penn State in July 2020 and didn't waver over the next 17 months. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER Jerry Cross Holds Firm To Early Decision To Pick PSU RYA 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 JERRY CROSS TE | 6-5 | 255 RUFUS KING HIGH MILWAUKEE, WIS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE consensus ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 258 12 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 19 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 211 5 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 15 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 15 5 STATISTICS • Had six catches for 250 yards and two touch- downs in three games during his senior year. • Did not have a junior season because of the pandemic. • Finished with 28 catches for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns his sophomore year. • Had 15 catches for 300 yards and four touch- downs as a freshman. NOTABLE • Served as a two-year team captain. • Led Rufus King to a 22-5 record during his three varsity seasons. • Earned all-city honors in 2018 and '19. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Penn State on July 28, 2020. • Recruited by tight ends coach Ty Howle and former tight ends coach Tyler Bowen. • Picked Penn State over Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin. • Officially visited on June 25, 2021. • Enrolled at PSU in January 2022. 2022 PROJECTION With four scholarship tight ends returning, three of whom saw substantial action during the 2021 season, Cross most likely will redshirt. THEY SAID IT Thomas Wozniak, Rufus King head coach: "Jerry has been a great teammate and a big part of our success during his four years at King. He gave all he could at all times, and I know he'll continue that work ethic to be a great Nittany Lion." BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "At 6-5, 255 pounds, Cross is an in-line blocking tight end. He's a true Y tight end. Penn State has had a couple of them; Pat Freiermuth was a true Y tight end. Cross is bigger than that. There is some rawness, but the power and the leverage and the length are all there for him to become a dominant blocker, one of the better ones Penn State has had."