Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543434
6 0 M A R C H 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M cause of that, he wasn't sure how he'd be feeling after making the cross-country trip to PSU. Fortunately for Penn State, the three-star prospect made it clear the Lions are still very much in the mix. "The coaching change was initially a disappointment for me," said Rhoa, who is listed by Rivals as the No. 38 interior offensive lineman nationally and No. 64 prospect in California. "I now realize that the timing could not have been better for my situation. Penn State now provides the opportunity to join a program as it's being rebuilt by new leaders who have a proven track record of success with fewer resources. And best of all, Coach Terry [Smith] is still in the mix. Coach Terry offered me as a freshman. His faith in me has never wavered." Penn State's second junior day on Jan. 31 didn't feature as many four-star play- ers as the first, but there were quite a few who attended that sit right on the bubble and could easily make the Rivals300 a few months from now. Blake Betton of Shakopee, Minn., may fit that description best. The 6-3, 205-pound prospect is listed by Rivals as the nation's No. 27 linebacker and No. 3 player in his home state. Betton has also been a longtime target for Campbell and his staff, picking up his first offer from Iowa State. The Cyclones' interest prompted him to visit Ames multiple times, including for a game last October. Now, with Campbell oversee- ing one of the Big Ten's most prestigious programs, the Nittany Lions have almost instantly become serious players in Bet- ton's recruitment. "They are highly focused on doing ev- erything right to get Penn State back to its prominence and compete for a national championship," he said. "That's exactly what I want to do. "I want to get better every day and want to be part of a program where coaches are committed to development and win- ning a national championship. You can tell Coach Campbell and his staff at Penn State are committed to that, and it's defi- nitely one of my top choices." Defensive lineman Stanley Montgom- ery of Archbishop Ryan in Philadelphia is another good example of someone whose 2028 Defensive Back Gives Penn State An Early Pledge Penn State was still working to line up its first 2027 commitment as of mid-February, but it did gain a pledge from a 2028 prospect. Cornerback Deonte Flemings of Erie (Pa.) McDowell High announced on Jan. 31 that he planned to sign with the Nittany Lions. Flemings received an offer from assistant coach Deon Broomfield just over a week earlier. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect had visited Penn State once previously, attending the Lions' 2024 game against Ohio State. After visiting in late January, he decided to end his recruitment early and commit to PSU. "I think the new coaching staff is ready to compete already, and that's one thing that I love," Flemings said. "Coach [Matt] Campbell is a very honest guy and family-oriented, and that's what it's about to me and my family. I need somebody who's going to be on me when my parents aren't around and turn me into the best version of myself." Flemings emerged in 2024 when he played cornerback as a true freshman for McDowell. This past year, he was used much more on offense as well, splitting time at quarterback with a senior. In October, Flemings earned his first offer, from Sacramento State. Within a few weeks, Pitt, Syracuse and West Virginia had joined the mix. Notre Dame did the same on Nov. 22 after he traveled to South Bend for a visit. As significant as those offers were, he was still hoping to hear from Penn State. The Lions already had a McDowell graduate on the roster in rising junior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, and Flemings wanted the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. "I'm born and raised in PA, so it means a lot being from PA and getting that Penn State offer," he said. "Plus, Cooper Cousins is an [alumnus] of Erie McDowell. Our school colors are even very similar. I wasn't a huge fan growing up, but they grew on me. "With the new coaching staff, that means we can have a fresh start and bring championship football back to the state." Flemings, who is unranked by Rivals, has the size and attitude to succeed at the Big Ten level, said his coach at McDowell, Aaron Slocum. "He came in and was a kid that we could count on to play right away," Slocum said. "He's super long. I believe he's got a 6-8 wingspan on a 6-2-and-a-half body. So, the size was always impres - sive, but he's also very athletic. He can dunk the ball any way you want him to on the court." — Ryan Snyder Deonte Flemings has played both offense and defense at Erie (Pa.) McDowell High but is expected to line up in the secondary at the college level. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS