Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530530
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 5 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M a junior and had 22 catches for 422 yards and 8 scores as a sophomore. Samuel will enroll at Penn State in January. Cam Smith LB | 6-0 | 200 | Salem, N.J. After two years at Salem High in New Jersey, Smith transferred to Pennsylva- nia powerhouse St. Joseph's Prep ahead of his junior season. He played a key role in the Hawks winning a Pennsylvania 6A state championship in 2023, totaling 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception that season. Penn State was always the team to beat in his recruitment, but with Alex Tatsch and DJ McClary already com- mitted, PSU wasn't quite ready to add another linebacker to the class. Smith ended up committing to Duke, but the situation changed last summer when McClary switched his commitment to Rutgers, opening the door for Smith to join the class in August. He is listed as a three-star prospect by On3 but holds a four-star grade in the Industry Ranking, coming in at No. 295 nationally and No. 8 in Pennsylvania. He and his Prep teammates defeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 35-6, for the Pennsylvania Class 6A state cham- pionship on Dec. 7. In 11 games this year, Smith totaled 58 tackles, including 17 for loss and 7 sacks. Alex Tatsch LB | 6-2 | 215 | Latrobe, Pa. Pen n State ex tended a n of fer to Tatsch in October 2023. By that point, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin all had his interest. However, the Nit- tany Lions almost immediately became the team to beat when he visited five times in five months. Notre Dame ex- tended an offer to Tatsch after it became clear last February that he was close to committing, but that wasn't enough to keep the Greater Latrobe standout from announcing his commitment to Penn State that month. Set to enroll in January, Tatsch is considered one of the top linebackers in the country. He's rated as a four-star prospect by On3 and is listed as the na- tion's No. 152 overall player and No. 17 linebacker, as well as the No. 4 player in Pennsylvania. A shoulder injury cut his senior season short, but he still totaled 40 tackles, including 11 for loss, along with 2 forced fumbles and an intercep- tion in five games. On offense, he had 56 carries for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns. Braz Thomas S | 6-2 | 185 | Glassboro, N.J. Thomas was a frequent presence at Penn State throughout 2023, visiting six times in seven months from March to September. However, it was his de- cision to camp with the staff last June that changed everything. Thomas put together one of the more impressive workouts of any prospect, and his per- formance lead to an official visit June 21-23. He ended up committing before leaving campus. Listed by On3 as a three-star pros- pect, as well as the No. 41 safety na- tionally and No. 15 player in New Jersey, Thomas earned 15 scholarship offers. He took an official visit to West Vir- ginia, while Florida, Georgia, Rutgers and Tennessee also hosted him for un- official visits. Thomas missed his senior season at Pleasantville High after suffering an arm injury at Penn State's White Out Camp in July. He plans to enroll at Penn State in January. Xxavier Thomas CB | 5-11 | 175 | Canonsburg, Pa. James Franklin and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith extended an offer to Thomas on Dec. 20, 2024, which was signing day for the '24 class. He com- mitted on the spot, but because of all the news that day, his pledge wasn't an- nounced until Dec. 21. The Pittsburgh Central Catholic prospect had a very good showing at Penn State's camp the summer prior. After watching his junior film, PSU's coaches decided they didn't want to miss out on a player who reminded them of Daequan Hardy, another West- ern Pennsylvania native who excelled at Penn State as a nickel cornerback and return specialist. Thomas claimed only one offer, from Akron, before he committed. He holds a three-star rating from On3 and is listed as the No. 47 cornerback nationally and No. 8 among Pennsylvania prospects. Ahead of Central Catholic's Pennsyl- vania Class 6A state championship game against St. Joseph's Prep on Dec. 7, Thomas had totaled 19 tackles and 6 interceptions this season. Michael Troutman III OL | 6-2 | 280 | Trenton, N.J. Troutman earned an offer from Penn State in May 2023. He then visited PSU four times in just over six months. Dur- ing that stretch, he also went to Rutgers for a handful of visits. During a visit for a junior day last February, offensive line coach Phil Trautwein and the staff made it clear to Troutman they were open to accepting his commitment. Troutman wasted little time, announcing just over a week later that he intended to join the Nittany Lions. Listed as a three-star prospect by On3, as well as the No. 52 interior of- fensive lineman nationally and No. 23 player in New Jersey, Troutman is ex- pected to play center for the Nittany Lions. He is planning to enroll at Penn State in January. ■ Linebacker Alex Tatsch is listed by On3 as the nation's No. 152 overall prospect and No. 17 linebacker. He passed up a late offer from Notre Dame to join the Nittany Lions' class. PHOTO COURTESY ALEX TATSCH