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Henry's choice serves as reminder that location matters ravon Henry's recent decision to cross Penn State off his list of potential college destinations is just another reminder that State College simply isn't for everyone. As a 25-year-old and a recent graduate, I feel as if I have some understanding of the factors upon which Henry and his family are basing their decision. It wasn't that long ago that I was making my college choice, just as many of you did at one point. Sure, we Penn State grads fell in love with a small college town in the middle of nowhere, but there are plenty of other credible schools in the Northeast and beyond. For example, anyone who has ever been to Maryland understands that not only is College Park a very nice town, but it's also located in between two major cities. If you've been to Morgantown, W.Va., you understand that it's a place that knows how to party. And, while many of you may hate to admit it, Pittsburgh is an excellent academic institution, and the D city in which it resides is a great place to spend four years of your life. For Henry, a four-star defensive back from Aliquippa, Pa., and his family, Morgantown and Pittsburgh simply fit his personality better, although he had built a strong relationship with the Nittany Lion coaches. "The Penn State coaches are excellent, said Wayne Henry, Dravon's fa" ther. "I can't say enough about them. Penn State has a very bright future. They have some very special coaches." For some prospects, having solid relationships with Bill O'Brien and his assistants would have sealed the deal. Christian Hackenberg and Adam Breneman are two excellent examples of how a coaching connection can influence a prospect's choice. But Hackenberg and Breneman also think it's cool that cows graze in the shadow of Beaver Stadium. They have a different perspective than Henry, who grew up on the outskirts of Pittsburgh and may consider State Col- lege to be a little too rural for him. The same can be said for plenty of other recruits who choose to go elsewhere. So for all the recruiting gurus out there who can't understand why some prospects might find Pitt or West Virginia more appealing than Penn State, which can offer a quicker path to playing time because of its scholarship limitations, just take a step back and think about all the seemingly trivial things that might have impacted your college decision. It's never easy to judge a school based on a handful of visits. On top of that, few of us have ever faced the pressure that prospects are under when they are being pursued by coaching staffs from any number of appealing destinations. When you add the fact that Penn State is a very unique place with a setting that is unlike that of other major schools in the Northeast, it isn't hard to understand why some big-time athletes deI cide to go elsewhere. PENN STATE CLASS OF 2014 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 CLASS OF 2014 HOT LIST* NAME POS HT WT HOME SCHOOL Mike Gesicki Thomas Holley Brandon Lee Montae Nicholson TE DT LB DB 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-2 215 290 203 200 Manahawkin, N.J. Brooklyn, N.Y. Indianapolis, Ind. Monroeville, Pa. Southern Regional Abraham Lincoln Lawrence Central Gateway * As of Sept. 21

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