Blue White Illustrated

FOOTBALL RECRUITING Nittany Lions lose linebacker Wangler de-commits as Penn State switches focus to final five scholarships in Class of 2014 BY RYAN SNYDER Blue White Illustrated uly and August tend to be quiet months on the recruiting trail. Prospects and coaches are frequently away on vacation, and when they return, they dive right into preseason camp. As a result, the summer rarely produces much in the way of recruiting news. That trend held true this year, but there have been a few noteworthy developments during the past six weeks. The biggest development was Jared Wangler's decision on Aug. 9 to back out of his verbal commitment to Penn State. Wangler began to have second thoughts after he received a scholarship offer from Michigan – an offer he has since accepted. Wangler's father, John, was a quarterback under Bo Schembechler from 1977-80, and the Wolverines were Jared's boyhood favorites. Additionally, his brother Jack recently walked on to Brady Hoke's squad, and close friend and top quarterback prospect Shane Morris also headed to Ann Arbor this summer. "It was the hardest decision of my life," said Wangler, who lives in Warren, Mich. "I have two of my best friends at Michigan, and I think that will help me make the transition. I really would like to apologize to the Penn State fans. I'm really not one to back out on commitments. That's not who I am. "This opportunity to play at my father's school, with my brother and Shane, was something I thought would never happen when I committed to Penn State. I really appreciate the Penn State staff and its fans. I would like to apologize to them. I'm not that kind of person. Michigan was just my dream school growing up. It was such a hard decision. I wouldn't have left Penn State for any other school." While Wangler's loss definitely hurts, J PENN STATE COMMITMENTS* NAME POS HT WT HOME SCHOOL Marcus Allen Mark Allen Troy Apke Noah Beh Chris Godwin Michael O'Connor Troy Reeder Nick Scott De'Andre Thompkins Troy Vincent Jr. Antoine White Daquan Worley Saf. RB WR OL WR QB LB Ath. Ath. DB DT DB 6-1 5-7 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-3 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-10 187 185 175 250 192 223 232 180 170 181 267 175 Upper Marlboro, Md. Hyattsville, Md. Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Middletown, Del. Bradenton, Fla. Wilmington, Del. Fairfax, Va. Swansboro, N.C. Baltimore, Md. Millville, N.J. Coatesville, Pa. Wise DeMatha Mt. Lebanon Scranton Prep Middletown IMG Academy Salesianum School Fairfax Swansboro Gilman Millville Coatesville THE HOT LIST* NAME POS HT WT HOME SCHOOL Alex Bookser Mike Gesicki Dravon Henry Thomas Holley Montae Nicholson OL TE Saf. DT DB 6-6 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-2 295 215 185 290 200 Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Manahawkin, N.J. Aliquippa, Pa. Brooklyn, N.Y. Monroeville, Pa. Mt. Lebanon Southern Regional Aliquippa Abraham Lincoln Gateway * As of Aug. 14 there have been some positive developments for Penn State recently. At the top of the list is the news that the team will be able to take up to 17 prospects for the Class of 2014. That became possible when defensive tackle Antoine White decided to enroll in January alongside quarterback Michael O'Connor. By starting school in the upcoming spring semester, the two prospects will count toward the Class of 2013. As of Aug. 14, Penn State had received 12 verbal commitments in the 2014 cycle, leaving the staff with five more scholarships at its disposal. Outside linebacker and defensive tackle are two priorities for the staff, but the final three scholarships could be used to shore up a variety of positions. Defensive tackle Thomas Holley of Brooklyn, N.Y., sits at the very top of Penn State's recruiting board, ahead of defensive back Dravon Henry, who was once the staff's top target. The reason for this switch isn't because of anything Henry has done, but rather because defensive tackle has become a bigger priority for PSU after it landed verbal commitments from three solid defensive backs, including Troy Vincent Jr., Marcus Allen and DaQuan Worley. In fact, Penn State may even take a junior college defensive tackle depending on how things shake out. Sources close to the program say the depth at defensive tackle has been a concern for the staff ever since spring practice began. Outside of the defensive line, both Henry and Montae Nicholson are the

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