Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1492675
M A R C H 2 0 2 3 4 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P L A Y E R B I O S / / / / / / / W hen Penn State welcomed Illi- nois to Beaver Stadium in Octo- ber 2021, the afternoon's highlight oc- curred before kickoff. That's when tight end Joey Schlaffer, an On3 Consensus four-star prospect from Reading, Pa., informed the coaching staff that he wanted to become a Nittany Lion. Penn State went on to suffer a mara- thon loss to the Illini, but Schlaffer's presence should help ensure that fu- ture offenses don't struggle as mightily as the Lions did in that nine-overtime slog. He brings an extensive résumé as a pass catcher, having set Berks County receiving records with his 2,493 career yards and 28 touchdowns. A three-time all-state performer at Exeter Township High, Schlaffer did it all for the Eagles as a senior. He caught 38 passes for 879 yards and 9 touch- downs, rushed for 246 yards and 3 scores and even completed 2 passes for 43 yards. "Joey is a tremendous competitor and a difference-maker," Exeter Township coach Matt Bauer said. "For the past four years in our program, he always played his best in the biggest games. No stage was too big. He always delivered." Schlaffer helped lead the Eagles to a 22-5 record his last two seasons, in- cluding a 12-1 mark and the Lancaster Lebanon League's Section 2 champion- ship as a senior. While he was excelling on the field last year, Schlaffer was also making frequent visits to his future school. He traveled to Penn State six times in 2022, including for an official visit in June and for the Nittany Lions' games against Ohio and Northwestern. In the end, Schlaffer maintained his pledge to the Nittany Lions for 14 months before signing in December. That's a long time to stay committed, given the pressures on high-level foot- ball prospects these days and the in- creasing prevalence of decommit- ments. But the 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end has deep ties to the university, and they played a role in his decision. In addition to having followed the program growing up, he's the half- brother of former Nittany Lion of- fensive lineman Michal Menet. Asked about his decision shortly after he announced it, Schlaffer said, "It just feels right." "As soon as they offered me, I felt like there was no other choice," he added. "I kind of felt that my path was set before it even started, if that makes sense. Between my brother's history there and how much I've followed them over the years, this is where I'm supposed to be." ■ TE | 6-5 | 220 Exeter Township High Reading, Pa. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Consensus HHHH 362 21 7 On3 HHHH 158 9 4 ESPN HHH — 16 13 Rivals HHHH 221 12 4 247Sports HHH — 51 22 Statistics • Set Berks County career receiving records with 2,493 yards and 28 touchdowns in his four starting seasons at Exeter Township High • Caught 86 passes for 1,713 yards and 18 scores during his junior and senior seasons Notable • Was a three-time Class 5-A all-state selec- tion • Claimed all-conference honors in the Lan- caster Lebanon League all four seasons • Helped Exeter Township compile a 37-11 re- cord during his four seasons at the school • Half-brother of Michal Menet, who played on Penn State's offensive line from 2017-21 and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals • Was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning all-county honors in 2021 Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Oct. 23, 2021 • Picked the Lions over offers from Maryland, Tennessee, Arizona State, Michigan State, Vir- ginia and West Virginia • Recruited by tight ends coach Ty Howle • Officially visited Penn State on June 17, 2022 • Enrolled in January 2023 2023 Projection Schlaffer is one of three tight ends in Penn State's class, joining Mega Barnwell and An- drew Rappleyea. He and Barnwell are already on campus, having enrolled in January. That'll give the 220-pounder a head start in the weight room, but even with Brenton Strange leaving for the NFL, Penn State appears to be deep at this position group heading into the upcoming season. It wouldn't be surprising to see Schlaffer redshirt as a true freshman. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Schlaffer is an interesting case study, combining some of the traits of recent Penn State tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki. He's a very good prospect who could develop into a truly well- rounded player." Schlaffer started for Exeter Township at tight end from his freshman year on, winning all-state honors in three of his four varsity seasons. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER Joey Schlaffer Pennsylvania tight end had PSU high on his list from the start M AT T H E R B | M A T T. H E R B @ O N 3 . C O M T H E S C H L A F F E R F I L E