Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1511150
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 5 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M burgh this year, losing just one game against another top program, Pine-Rich- land, on Oct. 6. Gonzalez, a three-star wide receiver, was a key part of an offense that scored at least 40 points in each of the team's nine wins. He set school records in both re- ceiving yards (892) and receiving touch- downs (12). He totaled 34 receptions, giving him an average of 26.2 yards per catch. The Vikings were the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class 6A bracket and opened the playoffs with a game against Mt. Leba- non scheduled for Nov. 3. Jaylen Harvey Harvey, a three-star edge rusher, to- taled 21 tackles in Quince Orchard (Md.) High's first eight games. He also had 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and a safety. Quinton Martin Following last year's PIAA Class AAA state championship, the first in school history, Belle Vernon once again looked like the team to beat in that classifica- tion, going 8-1 on the year. Its only loss came against Thomas Jefferson, 24-19, on Sept. 22. Through nine games, Martin totaled 67 carries for 657 yards rushing. The four-star running back also had 28 re- ceptions for 490 yards. He had scored 20 total touchdowns. Belle Vernon went into the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs as the No. 1 seed. It had a bye week before beginning its play- off push on Nov. 10 against either Deer Lakes or Southmoreland. Jon Mitchell A teammate of Antoine Belgrave- Shorter at Mandarin High in Jackson- ville, Fla., Mitchell was sixth on the team in tackles with 44. The four-star cornerback also totaled 10 pass breakups, 6 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 quarterback hurries and a sack. Luke Reynolds Like most New England schools, Cheshire Academy in Connecticut didn't begin its regular season until Sept. 15. Because of the late start, it had two reg- ular-season games (against Taft and Suf- field Academy) remaining in November. The Cats started 5-0 before losing their first game on Oct. 28 to Salisbury School, 31-28. Through those first six games, Reyn- olds was second on the team in both re- ceptions (30) and receiving yards (449). The four-star tight end had scored 4 touchdowns in that span. Anthony Speca A teammate of Peter Gonzalez at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Speca was part of a defense that allowed an aver- age of fewer than two touchdowns per game and held the opposition to just NITTANY LIONS WORKING TO FINISH OFF 2024 RECRUITING CLASS With the early signing period quickly ap- proaching, Penn State's 2024 recruiting class is just about finished. As of early November, James Franklin and his staff held 25 total com- mitments. With 15 four-star prospects commit- ted according to the On3 Industry Ranking, the Nittany Lions continued to sit just outside the top 10 nationally at No. 13 overall. Coaching changes at other schools in the coming weeks could be a factor in how the Lions are able to finish off their class. For ex- ample, we've already seen the staff show in- terest in a few prospects who were previously committed to Michigan State, including of- fensive lineman Andrew Dennis from Mount Pleasant, Mich. A four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, Dennis visited Penn State in the spring but didn't pick up an offer at that time. He went on to commit to the Spartans about a month later, but once it became clear that Mel Tucker was unlikely to return next season, PSU offensive line coach Phil Trautwein wasted little time offering the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Dennis. As of early November, Dennis was aiming to take an official visit to Penn State for the Nittany Lions' game against Michigan on Nov. 11. However, his plans were contingent on whether Mount Pleasant High was still compet- ing in the Michigan state playoffs. Other positions to keep an eye on in the com- ing weeks include wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker. Josiah Brown, a four-star wideout from Mal- verne (N.Y.) Senior High and a Penn State com- mit, suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year. His setback, coupled with the lack of development from some of the current Nittany Lion receivers, makes it likely that position coach Marques Hagans will look to add a fourth receiver to the class. The Nittany Lions did host another former Michigan State commit, wide receiver Syair Torrence, for an unofficial visit on Oct. 28. A 5-11, 185-pound prospect from Syracuse, N.Y., Torrence has yet to earn an offer from Penn State, however. On defense, the Nittany Lions have continued to pursue outside linebacker Elijah Newby, a four-star prospect from Cheshire (Conn.) Academy. Listed at 6-3, 205 pounds, Newby is a high school teammate of future Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds. He's been committed to USC since the summer, but Penn State continues to push for an official visit in December. Defensive lineman Ernest Willor of Concordia Prep in Baltimore is another name to monitor. A four- star prospect, Willor visited Penn State for its White Out win over Iowa. The 6-3, 255-pound defensive tackle has also made it clear that he's interested in taking an official visit to Penn State in December. — Ryan Snyder Offensive lineman Andrew Dennis had been committed to Michigan State but has shown an interest in Penn State now that the Spartans' coaching staff is in flux. PHOTO COURTESY ANDREW DENNIS