Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1526526
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4 5 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State made a big addition to its 2025 recruiting class when it flipped three-star wide receiver Matthew Out- ten on Sept. 2. The No. 405 overall prospect nationally and No. 15 athlete in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking, Outten had been a top-of-the-board target for the Nittany Lions since the spring. He was on campus for an official visit in June and also took several unofficial visits earlier in the year. His commitment to Virginia Tech on July 1 had seemed to deal a sig- nificant blow to Penn State's efforts in the current cycle; some in the Lasch Building reportedly had him as the top prospect on the receiver board. But position coach Marques Hagans and the recruiting staff, notably Kenny Sanders and Khalil Ahmad, stayed in touch with Outten despite his pledge to the Hokies, and there were signs that the Portsmouth, Va., resident was receptive to their ongoing interest. Two days before Outten flipped, Penn State routed West Virginia, 34-12, while Virginia Tech struggled in an overtime loss to Vanderbilt. Given the timing of his announcement, some might assume there was a connection between those Week 1 results and Outten's change of heart, but the move appears to have been in the works well before opening weekend. Penn State's pitch didn't really change for the 6-foot, 210-pound Outten, who left the door open after his first pledge. In an Instagram post explaining his decision, the I.C. Norcom standout ex- pressed his gratitude to Virginia Tech but said he felt that Penn State offered him a better opportunity to fulfill his potential. "I understand that my decision may come as a disappointment, and I want to assure you that it was not made lightly," he wrote. "I know that this decision is necessary for me to pursue my academic and athletic aspirations in a way that will allow me to reach my full potential. With that being said, I am now fully and whole- heartedly committed to Penn State!!!" Outten totaled more than 20 scholar- ship offers between April 2023 and May 2024. For the most part, he didn't pub- licize his visits, but it's known that he checked out Penn State four times dating back to November 2023 when he was on hand for the Nittany Lions' game against Michigan. He then returned to State College for junior day in February before taking a personal visit with the staff in April to watch a spring practice session. His final trip came on June 7 when he made his official visit. Virginia Tech also hosted him at least three times, while Maryland welcomed him at least twice. Syracuse received an official visit this past summer. Other notable programs that extended offers were Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Pitt, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Outten played in six games as a junior at Norcom, finishing with 22 catches for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also contrib- uted on defense and special teams, total- ing 22 tackles and blocking a punt. Outten's addition gives Penn State four receivers in its 2025 class. The others are Jeff Exinor of Baltimore, Koby Howard of Davie, Fla., and Lyrick Samuel of Brook- lyn, N.Y. Exinor and Howard have received four stars in the On3 Industry Ranking and three from On3's scouts. Samuel has a four-star grade from On3 and three-star status in the Industry Ranking. ■ Nittany Lions Flip Priority Receiver Target S E A N F I T Z | S E A N . F I T Z @ O N 3 . C O M Outten had been committed to Virginia Tech since early July but announced on Sept. 2 that he was planning to sign with Penn State. PHOTO BY SEAN FITZ Matthew Outten doesn't have an over- whelming trait that he leans on. His size checks out at a little over 6-foot, 210 pounds, and the speed numbers don't give us any worry there (6.49-second 55-meter, 7.04 60-meter, 10.91 100-meter, and the only 40 time we found was in the high 4.5s). The tape is what does it. He's smooth, bal- anced and always a step ahead. He probably doesn't have the ball skills of his fellow Penn State recruit Koby Howard, but he's certainly capable of catching the football. Outten is a guy who can take short stuff and find creases that result in big gains. His ability to catch the ball and get upfield is more reminiscent of a running back than a true outside guy. That's a compliment, by the way. He's compact, gets up to speed quickly and doesn't waste a lot of movement in doing so. His ability to change gears in the return game is impres- sive as well. — Sean Fitz P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N COMMITMENT PROFILE MATTHEW OUTTEN