Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503568
A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 10 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M G iven the attention that football re- cruiting receives these days and the ubiquity of social media, it's rare for a coveted prospect to keep his decision pro- cess shrouded in mystery. But Baltimore safety Dejuan Lane did just that. Lane conducted his recruitment in near silence. Interviews were few and far be- tween, as were social media hints. It was known, however, that the 6-foot-2, 200-pound standout from the Gilman School was one of Penn State's most important targets on defense. As- sistant coach Anthony Poindexter was looking to welcome a couple of safeties into the 2024 class, and Lane was one of two priority prospects from within the program's traditional recruiting territory, the other being Vaboue Toure of Irving- ton, N.J. As it turned out, the Lions earned com- mitments from both players. Lane an- nounced on June 4 that he intended to sign with Penn State, and Toure joined him 12 days later. Following his commitment, Lane opened up about his decision process, noting that Poindexter had played a ma- jor role. "One thing I really looked for in the coaches that recruited me was that they weren't just talking about football," he said. "I always wanted to hear more about what the school could offer me outside of football. "With Coach Dex, yeah, we talked about football and what I could do for them, but the main thing was just that we built a great connection, a friendship. That's what I'm looking for in my position coach. He did a great job doing that." Lane has received a four-star grade and is the No. 267 prospect and No. 22 safety nationally, and the No. 8 player in Mary- land, per the On3 Industry Ranking. On3's scouts had him rated slightly lower than the weighted average but increased his rating to a four-star grade in July, list- ing him 28th among safeties and No. 8 in Maryland. Lane received more than 20 offers, and in late April he released a top five that in- cluded Penn State, Notre Dame, Michi- gan, Georgia and Maryland. The only one of those schools that got him on campus for an official visit was PSU. "Penn State was always pretty much No. 1 on the list," Lane said. "Ever since I went there, they sparked something that had me leaning in their direction. That kind of made it easy for me." ■ COMMITMENT PROFILE DEJUAN LANE Lane chose the Nittany Lions over offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, Georgia and Maryland. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL Low-Key Safety Is A High-Impact Addition To Class RYA N S N Y D E R | R YA N. S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M Penn State nabbed one of its top safety prospects when Dejuan Lane committed in early June. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he's a big prospect who at one point was listed as a linebacker by On3. Here's a look at what he offers the Nittany Lions: STRENGTHS Frame: Lane doesn't just have great height and a quality reach; he's got room to grow. At 200 pounds as a rising senior, he could play anywhere from that weight up to 230 pounds based on body dimensions. He'll be a safety at Penn State, but the possibility of playing linebacker is real. Athleticism: Lane shows great agility and flexibility for his size, making him a jumbo athlete with few athletic holes. He's got a long, fluid stride that eats up ground quickly and allows him to pursue from most spots on the field. Ball production: Despite his size, Lane makes his living as a coverage safety. He plays both under- neath and in deep coverage. When given a clean picture pre-snap, he's got the burst and willingness to gamble on short passes to intercept the ball. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Run defense: Whether taking on blocks or filling run lanes, Lane has a passive approach. His impres- sive closing speed doesn't show up often when he's reading and reacting to run plays. Instead, he likes to slow-play blocks and try to knife under blockers to tackle the ball carrier. Tackling: Whether it's in the run game or as a coverage defender, Lane is rather passive as a tackler. Instead of squaring up and running his feet through contact, he'll try to bring ball carriers down with low tackles and arm tackles with momentum. This style leads to too many yards after contact. Pursuit consistency: At his best, Lane is everything Penn State wants in a safety. But he doesn't give you that consistently. He shows great range and closing burst when he's on, but when he's not, his film is worrisome. There are too many plays where he pulls up before the ball carrier is on the ground. PROJECTION Field safety: If we had to pick which position best fits his skill set right now, it's this one. Playing in deep coverage is Lane's forte. He's got a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Boundary safety: Once Lane works on his run game fundamentals, there's nothing to prevent him from becoming a boundary safety who plays over the box and near the line of scrimmage. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N