Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543434
M A R C H 2 0 2 6 5 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 7 kickoff returns and 19.4 yards on 21 punt runbacks. "I love this new staff," Taylor said. "They're very caring, and they bring a different type of energy. I asked some players about the new staff, and they said they love them as well. They are super- hyped for this season." Penn State ultimately lost wide receiv- ers coach Noah Pauley to the Green Bay Packers, but Taylor's ties with veteran as- sistant Terry Smith may prove to be the most important when it comes to the Li- ons' chances of earning his commitment for the second time. Campbell also made a strong impres- sion on the 5-foot-11, 180-pound re- ceiver. "He's a great man who's all for [devel- oping] young men," Taylor said. "If you're not feeling like yourself or things just aren't going well, he's going to make sure you get back to your regular self and are 100 percent. I got a great vibe from him. He's calling me his No. 1 priority, and he's very serious about me." Cooper, who attends Malvern Prep, also spoke glowingly of Campbell, and the ad- miration appears to be mutual. The two spent a few hours together, and Cooper's takeaway from their conversation was that Campbell sees leadership potential in him, especially from a peer-recruiting perspective. "He definitely wants to build a rela- tionship and get that part rolling more, but one thing he was also saying is that he sees me as a guy with a big personality and someone who could help them bring other guys with me," said Cooper, who is listed by Rivals as the No. 294 overall prospect and No. 51 receiver nationally, as well as the No. 14 player in Pennsylva- nia. "I was talking to guys like Khalil and Matt while I was there. … [Campbell] was watching us chop it up a good bit, and I think he believes I have the potential and personality to help bring people with me." Campbell and his staff also hosted a few players from out of the region, including tight end Cooper Terwilliger and offen- sive linemen Kyler Kuhn and Lucas Rhoa. Terwilliger will be a new name to many Penn State fans. The 6-6, 215-pound tight end from Pierre, S.D., has a longstanding relationship with offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser. In fact, some believed he was close to committing to Iowa State at one point. Now, it looks like Penn State could be emerging as the team to beat for the T.F. Riggs High standout, who caught 79 passes for 1,097 yards and 8 touch- downs the past two seasons. "Penn State is definitely a top school for me," said Terwilliger, a consensus four- star player listed by Rivals as the nation's No. 158 overall prospect, No. 9 tight end and No. 1 player in his home state. "I really liked State College. I felt like it was a good college town, which is where I want to be, because I don't want to be at a place that has a big city feel." Rhoa and Kuhn have both been on campus before. Rhoa may now reside in Southern California, but the 6-5, 280-pound lineman grew up a Nit- tany Lions fan. Not only did his father and multiple extended family members graduate from Penn State, but he also has family still in Central Pennsylvania. With that said, the Orange Lutheran prospect was also very close with former offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. Be- Cooper Terwilliger of Pierre, S.D., is the nation's No. 158 overall prospect and No. 9 tight end according to Rivals. PHOTO COURTESY INSIDENEBRASKA.COM