Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516624
M A R C H 2 0 2 4 2 5 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 / / / / / / / P enn State signed a pair of high-cali- ber defensive backs out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Fla., in the class of 2024. Jon Mitchell and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter did not set out to con- tinue playing football together at the next level when the recruiting process started, but they both were impressed with Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, the school itself and the opportunity they knew they would receive to be developed at PSU. Last March, Mandarin defensive backs coach Cavonte Campbell told BWI that Belgrave-Shorter was on a different time- line than his classmate. "Unlike Jon, Antoine's recruitment took off following [his junior] season," Campbell explained. "Jon had been re- cruited for quite some time longer, so An- toine needs to take his time still. He still has that curiosity about different schools and needs to take a few more visits before he nails down a situation. He wants to keep enjoying this a bit, which he should." Belgrave-Shorter and Mitchell both ended up committing to Penn State in April. Mitchell had more offers, but Belgrave-Shorter has plenty of skill and didn't waver in his decision despite in- terest from Florida and Auburn, among others, late in the recruiting cycle. He made multiple regional all-star teams following his junior and senior sea- sons, during which he netted more than 100 tackles and 7 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. The nation's No. 689 player in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 69 cornerback boasts plenty of speed and a knack for finding the ball and taking it away from the offense. He fits the mold of many Nit- tany Lion defensive backs who came be- fore him: physical and aggressive at the line of scrimmage, capable of blanketing receivers in a scheme that emphasizes man-to-man coverage, and possessing an ability to find the ball carrier and stop him in his tracks. Belgrave-Shorter is one of 16 class of 2024 signees who enrolled early. The 6-foot, 194-pound defender will need to bulk up while retaining his athleticism in college, but he has a high ceiling despite his lower ranking and could play early on. "I think Antoine is for sure in the driv- er's seat to be able to do that, and a big reason why is his versatility," Campbell said. "During the season, I stuck him at safety a couple of times just to put him out there and have him in a different spot to see some different things. "I did that with Jon a couple of times, too, but Antoine is just a bit more de- veloped physically with his body type. I certainly think that he has a great oppor- tunity to do that. Jon can as well. He's got the length and a lot of the intangibles that you want at the position. So, he's going to have a great opportunity to get on the field, but I definitely would say Antoine is in the driver's seat to be able to do that." — Greg Pickel Belgrave-Shorter totaled 7 interceptions during his last two seasons at Mandarin High in Jacksonville, Fla. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 ANTOINE BELGRAVE-SHORTER Florida cornerback joins high school teammate in PSU secondary CB | 6-0 | 194 Mandarin High Jacksonville, Fla. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★ 689 69 87 On3 ★★★ — 65 71 ESPN ★★★ — 72 114 Rivals ★★★ — 60 87 247Sports ★★★ — 64 92 Statistics • Had 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions (in- cluding 1 returned for a touchdown) and 72 tackles as a senior • Totaled 44 tackles, 3 interceptions (1 re- turned for a touchdown) and 6 pass breakups as a junior • Recorded 29 pass breakups as a sophomore Notable • Played on Mandarin teams that won district and Gateway Conference titles his junior and senior seasons and was a state runner-up in 2023 • Was an All-Region 4M pick in 2023 • Served as a team captain as a senior and was a three-year letterman Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on April 10, 2023 • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith • Picked Penn State over Central Florida • Officially visited on June 9, 2023 2024 Projection Belgrave-Shorter had the speed and ball skills to play offense and defense in high school. He will focus on the latter in college. The 6-foot, 194-pounder projects as a likely redshirt in 2024 unless he makes some noise on special teams in spring practice and preseason camp. They Said It Mandarin defensive backs coach Cavonte Campbell: "Antoine, in general, just has a lot of stuff that I can't teach, specifically his ball skills. I always say, 'If you truly want the ball, it'll come to you.' I think AJ took that to heart early on in his career and he's committed to that mentality." They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Bel- grave-Shorter has the feet and hips to play cornerback at Penn State. He's a tad too ag- gressive pressing at the line of scrimmage, but he still dominates that space, plus he's got great ball skills. He could also end up sliding inside to play field safety. Belgrave-Shorter has good tackling instincts, excellent man- coverage skills, and a solid frame. Obviously, zone coverage will be very different at safety, and he would have to learn that in depth." T H E B E L G R AV E -S H O R T E R F I L E