Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1464375
5 8 M A 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 I f there's one thing new Penn State com- mit Andrew Rappleyea and his family learned over the past few months, it's that college football is very much a busi- ness. Relationships and academics are im- portant parts, but when you're going to play at the highest level, in front of 100,000 people on fall Saturdays, there's a massive business aspect that must be taken into account. Rappleyea, who grew up in New York but now plays at Milton Academy in Massachusetts, almost ended his recruitment five months ago. After taking his second unof- ficial visit to Penn State on Nov. 23, he seriously considered committing but ultimately decided he didn't want to rush into anything. Elite programs up and down the East Coast were showing more interest in the 6-foot- 4, 215-pound tight end prospect, who received a four-star rating in the On3 Consensus. He decided to take his time. After all, he still had a full year before he could sign. Fast forward to Christmastime, and he was considering it again. With a few tight ends already committed, Penn State was in a tough position. Joey Schlaffer and Mathias Barnwell were both planning to play the position at the time, but the real issue came on New Year's Eve when an- other coveted player, Neeo Avery, com- mitted to Penn State that evening. "Coach [Ty] Howle was very sincere about the situation, but they were pretty much full," Rappleyea said. "They asked me to be patient as they talked some things out, but I ended up being impulsive and committed to Michigan." Rappleyea pledged to Jim Harbaugh and his staff on Jan. 16. He even asked Penn State to stop communicating with him. Howle respected his wishes, but when a change in Michigan's coaching staff took place — Jay Harbaugh, who recruited Rappleyea, moved from tight ends to safeties — it opened the door back up. Meanwhile, at Penn State, the coaching staff was warming to the possibility of us- ing Barnwell and Avery on the defensive line rather than at tight end. "Coach Howle explained to me the changes that had taken place, and that Mathias was probably going to focus on defensive tackle now. He said Neeo was probably going to be a defensive end. He pretty much made it clear that I had a spot now," Rapple- yea said. Throughout his recruit- ment, Rappleyea has done his research. He decided that it would probably be best to take additional visits, so he and his fam- ily returned to Penn State on March 19, then went to Michigan on March 24 be- fore finishing with a trip to Boston College on April 2. While at Penn State, he had an oppor- tunity to spend time with Howle and the rest of the coaching staff. PSU's group ap- proach played a massive role in earning Rappleyea's commitment. "I feel like I know everyone at Penn State," he said. "I've talked and texted with just about everybody. Coach [James] Franklin texts and calls my parents twice a week. I probably had three or four meals with them when I visited, too. I felt like I really got to know everyone there. It was a no-brainer." But make no mistake, the relationship with Howle was the biggest reason Rap- pleyea will end up playing for the Nittany Lions. "With the recruiting process, he's very respectful," Rappleyea said. "He's also very passionate about what he does. He loves football, it's so obvious. He's deter- mined to build the best room." With Rappleyea on board, Penn State is now done at the tight end position. He and Schlaffer are both firmly committed. PSU will still pursue Avery, who decommitted in March, as a defensive end. ■› Four-star prospect Andrew Rappleyea might be the best pure tight end to join Penn State's class in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Here's a closer look: STRENGTHS Route running: This is the most exciting part of Rappleyea's game. He's advanced in nearly every skill aspect, especially for a tight end. He gets off the line of scrimmage well, sells routes with head fakes and can create sharp cuts at the stem with good athleticism and technique. Run blocking: At 215 pounds, Rappleyea is not big enough to dominate every opponent with sheer size. Instead, he's a tenacious blocker who uses excellent power, good le- verage and good hand fighting to bulldoze defenders out of the way. Versatility: Slot, wide, inline — wherever you want to line Rappleyea up, he's effective. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Size: If there was one reason that Penn State initially chose the 225-pound Neeo Avery over Rappleyea, my guess would be this. He's just slightly smaller than the play- ers they typically recruit, and he doesn't have the same violent, explosive strength and frame. Run-blocking technique: Players who like to intimidate defenders with their blocking tend to get reckless, and Rappleyea is no different. There are times on tape that he'll attack with his head down, launch over his toes and miss. PROJECTION H-back: At 6-4, Rappleyea would be a great H-back for Penn State. His "smaller" frame might lend itself better to that position than a spot as an inline blocker. Y tight end: If he can bulk up to around 250 pounds, he'll have the weight to back up his game. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N Four-Star Tight End Finds A Fit With Nittany Lions 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 COMMITMENT PROFILE ANDREW RAPPLEYEA Rappleyea, rated as the No. 167 overall player and No. 8 tight end nationally by On3, had been committed to Michigan but decided to switch to the Nittany Lions in early April. PHOTO COURTESY THE RAPPLEYEA FAMILY