Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1509432
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 4 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M R ain and wind failed to put a damper on the recruiting turnout for Penn State's White Out game Sept. 23 against Iowa. The damp weather may have even worked to the Nittany Lions' advantage with some prospects. Several players told Blue White Illustrated in the days following their visit to State Col- lege that they were impressed with how many fans stuck around late in the game despite the lopsided score and inhospi- table conditions. It's no secret that Penn State's White Out game has been a key recruiting tool for head coach James Franklin and his staff. Surprisingly, though, the last time PSU picked up immediate commitments following the game was in October 2019 when wide receiver Liam Clifford and offensive lineman Nate Bruce both an- nounced their choices during White Out weekend. The post-White Out commitment drought came to an emphatic end this year, with Penn State earning three ver- bal pledges in the days that followed its 31-0 thrashing of the Hawkeyes. Joining the Nittany Lions' 2025 class were linebacker DJ McClary of Jersey City, N.J.; running back Tiqwai Hayes of Aliquippa, Pa.; and athlete Brady O'Hara of Pittsburgh. McClary is the highest-rated member of that trio, having earned a four-star grade in the On3 Industry Ranking and a place in the On300 at No. 137 nationally. O'Hara and Hayes both hold three-star ratings from On3. Commitments always grab the head- lines, but also among the attendees were some other prospects who will likely sign with Penn State in the years to come. The Nittany Lions hosted more than 100 prospects who are expected to play at the FBS level. Of those players, 54 already hold scholarship offers from the Lions. Most of the attendees were members of the 2025 class, although Penn State did host four notable 2024 players. The latter group included four-star defensive linemen Ernest Willor of Baltimore and Jaylen Harvey of Potomac, Md. Willor, who stands 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, has already confirmed that he plans to take an official visit to Penn State in December. Because that visit won't take place until after the regular season, he probably won't commit until the early signing period, which begins on Dec. 20. As of late September, home- state school Maryland appeared to be Penn State's top competitor. Harvey isn't expected to wait that long. The 6-2, 245-pound edge rusher indicated after the Iowa game that he would like to wrap up his recruitment in October. Harvey took an unofficial visit to USC in late August to watch its season opener against San Jose State. Since then, the Trojans have emerged as Penn State's main competitor, although Maryland is Lions Make Their Pitch During Well-Attended White Out Spectacle RYA N S N Y D E R | R Y A N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M FOOTBALL RECRUITING Four-star defensive lineman Ernest Willor was among a handful of 2024 prospects at the Iowa game. He's expected to take an official visit to Penn State in December and likely won't announce his choice until the start of the early signing period. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER