Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547542
5 6 D E C E M B E R 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 Two other receivers to monitor are West Virginia commits Roscoe Hayes and Chase Guers. Guers, who's listed at 6-0, 190 pounds, is an in-state prospect from Blue Mountain in Schuylkill Haven, Pa. Rivals lists him as the nation's No. 162 wide receiver and No. 28 player in Pennsylvania. He won the PIAA Class AA 100-meter title last spring and has a personal-best time of 10.48 seconds. He also grew up supporting the Nit- tany Lions, which is why some thought he could be flipped relatively quickly. That's not how it played out, though, and now it feels like Penn State's staff is focused on others. Hayes is an intriguing prospect out of Atlanta and is ranked by Rivals as the nation's No. 206 wide receiver and No. 145 player in Georgia. The 6-5, 175-pound receiver from Westlake High came onto the scene as a junior but has taken his game to a different level this fall, grabbing the attention of multiple programs. Penn State has been steadily recruiting him for a few months, but it's also notable that top SEC teams, includ- ing Georgia, are now involved. As of early November, it was unclear if Hayes would eventually visit Penn State. The staff is actively pushing for him to take an official visit. OFFENSIVE LINE Penn State has five offensive linemen committed in the 2027 class. None have shown signs of wavering, but position coach Ryan Clanton and the staff are interested in adding a sixth. The plan would be similar to the one laid out above at quarterback. If the Lions can find a player with upside who won't cost them much financially, a sixth addition is realistic. One of those prospects is in their backyard: State College tackle CJ Clem- ons. Listed at 6-4, 280 pounds, Clem- ons has been on campus multiple times this season and also camped with the staff in June. Multiple Ivy League pro- grams have shown interest, while Penn State originally liked him as a walk-on target. However, Clemons then earned an offer from UCF in mid-October. It's unclear how hard the Knights plan to pursue him, but either way, it looks as if Penn State will have to decide if he's worth offering a scholarship over some- one else. Another player to keep an eye on is Rutgers commit Jackson Albright. Rivals lists him as the nation's No. 140 interior offensive lineman and No. 48 player in Pennsylvania. Albright, who stands 6-5, 315 pounds, hasn't visited Penn State yet, but the Turbotville, Pa., native has had some communication with the staff in recent weeks. The three-star pros- pect has been firmly committed to the Scarlet Knights since late May, but if there is a coaching change in Piscat- away, Albright fits what Penn State is looking for. Two others to keep an eye on are Ben Sakyiama of Archbishop Wood in Warminster, Pa., and Chuck Ebiem of Irvington, N.J. Sakyiama, who's listed at 6-7, 345 pounds, just visited Penn State for the game against Purdue. Ranked by Rivals as the nation's No. 197 offensive tackle and No. 58 player in Pennsylva- nia, he's currently committed to Syra- cuse. Ebiem is committed to Monmouth, but Penn State has been monitoring his film throughout the fall. At 6-7, 290 pounds, Ebiem is raw but has an excel- lent frame and athleticism for his size. He attended the game against Buffalo in September. DEFENSIVE LINE Penn State already has two defensive tackles and two edge rushers commit- ted, but that won't stop position coach Ikaika Malloe and the recruiting staff from trying to add others down the stretch. Three-star prospect Jayden Paulino of Passaic County Tech in Wayne, N.J., has emerged as a key target for the staff. Rivals ranks Paulino as the nation's No. 132 defensive lineman and No. 36 player in New Jersey. Listed at just under 6-4, 270 pounds, Paulino committed to Boston College last June but is putting together an impressive senior season, totaling 66 tackles, including 14 for loss and 2.5 sacks. That led Paulino to take an unofficial visit to Penn State for the Purdue game on Oct. 31. He is now expected to return for an official visit for the Minnesota game on Nov. 14. The Nittany Lions are in a good position to flip Paulino, but he's also grabbed the attention of other programs, notably Michigan, which of- Boston College commit Jayden Paulino recorded 66 tackles, including 14 for loss and 2.5 sacks, during his senior season. After visiting Penn State for the Purdue game, he is expected back for an official visit Nov. 14. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS